with Captain Jaschinsky, commander of the body guard, the captain of
which ranks as colonel in the army, together with Lieutenant
Studnitz, and Cornet Wagnitz. The latter was my field comrade, and
is at present commander-general of the cavalry of Hesse Cassel. The
Austrian Trenck became the subject of conversation, and Jaschinsky
asked if I were his kinsman. I answered, yes, and immediately
mentioned his having made me his universal heir. "And what answer
have you returned?" said Jaschinsky.--"None at all."

The whole company then observed that, in a case like the present, I
was much to blame not to answer; that the least I could do would be
to thank him for his good wishes, and entreat a continuance of them.
Jaschinsky further added, "Desire him to send you some of his fine
Hungarian horses for your own use, and give me the letter; I will
convey it to him, by means of Mr. Bossart, legation counsellor of
the Saxon embassy; but on condition that you will give me one of the
horses. This correspondence is a family, and not a state affair; I
will make myself responsible for the consequences."

I immediately took my commander's advice, and began to write; and
had those who suspected me thought proper to make the least inquiry
into these circumstances, the four witnesses who read what I wrote
could have attested my innocence, and rendered it indubitable. I
gave my letter open to Jaschinsky, who sealed and sent it himself.

I must omit none of the incidents concerning this letter, it being
the sole cause of all my sufferings. I shall therefore here relate
an event which was the first occasion of the unjust suspicions
entertained against me.