In his own dominions he has reformed the law, and reduced it to equity by a code of his own digesting. He has thrown cavil
out
made application for that purpose to a director of the company, established there by the King of Prussia, for the managing all affairs relating thereto. This person very willingly entered into treaty with her: but the sum he offered to lend being far short of what the actions would bear, and also insisting on forfeiture of her right in them, if not redeemed in twelve months, she broke off with him, and had recourse to some merchants at Antwerp, who were inclinable to treat with her on much more equitable terms. The proceeding necessarily brought the parties before this director for receiving his sanction, which was essential to the solidity of the agreement; and he, finding he was like to lose the advantage he had flattered himself with, disputed the authenticity of the actions, and thereby threw her into such discredit, as to render all attempts to raise money on them ineffectual. Upon this the lady wrote a letter by the common post to his majesty of Prussia, accompanied with a memorial, complaining of the treatment she had received from the director; and likewise inclosed the actions themselves, in another letter to a friend at Berlin. By the return of the post, his majesty condescended to answer her letter; and the actions were returned authenticated, which so restored her credit, that in a few hours all difficulties were removed, relating to the transactions she had in hand; and it is more than probable, the director has felt his majesty's resentment for his ill behaviour.
A translation of the lady's letter.
SIRE,
Having had the happiness to pay my court to your majesty, during a pretty long residence at Berlin, and to receive such marks of favour from their majesties, the queens, as I shall ever retain a grateful sense of, I presume to flatter myself that your majesty will not be offended at the respectful liberty I take, in laying before you my complaints against one Van Ertborn, a director of the Embden China company, whose bad behaviour to me, as set forth in my memorial, hath forced me to make a very long and expensive stay at this place: and as the considerable interest I have in that company may further subject me to his caprices, I cannot forbear laying my grievances at the foot of your majesty's throne, most respectfully supplicating your majesty, that you would be graciously pleased to give orders, that this director should not act towards me for the future, as he hath done hitherto.
I hope for this favour from your majesty's sovereign equity; and I shall never cease offering up my ardent prayers for the prosperity of your glorious reign; having the honour to be, with the most respectful zeal, SIRE,
Your majesty's most humble,
most obedient,
and most devoted servant,
* * * *.
Translation of his Prussian majesty's answer.
Madam, I received the letter, of the 19th instant, which you thought proper to write me, and was not a little displeased to hear of the bad behaviour of one of the directors of the Asiatic company of Embden towards you, of which you were forced to complain. I shall direct your grievances to be examined, and have just now dispatched my orders for that purpose, to Lentz, my president of the chamber of East Friesland. You may assure yourself the strictest justice shall be done you that the case will admit. God keep you in his holy protection.
Potsdam,
