CHAPTER XI.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
THE INDICTMENT OF STRUENSEE—HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION—COARSE JESTS—THE LIAISON WITH THE QUEEN—THE EVIDENCE—BRANDT'S ASSAULT ON THE KING—TREATMENT OF THE PRINCE ROYAL—THE MINISTER OF STATE—ABOLITION OF THE COUNCIL—DISBANDMENT OF THE GUARDS—ALLEGED FORGERY—THE QUEEN'S BOUQUET—THE SENTENCE DEMANDED.
In the meanwhile, Fiscal-General Wiwet received the king's orders on April 2 to indict Counts Struensee and Brandt before the appointed tribunal. As defenders of the accused, Uldall was selected for Struensee, and Bang for Brandt. The Fiscal-General appointed April 10 for the opening of the trial. As, however, some preliminary investigations had to be made, the trial was deferred till April 21, on which day the Fiscal produced his proofs, and the sentence he demanded in writing.
Wiwet's Indictment of Count Struensee.[84]
High and well born, highly noble and well born, gentlemen: most graciously appointed commissioners in the charges against Counts Struensee and Brandt.
I laid before this exalted commission on the 10th of the present month his royal Majesty's most gracious commands to me, to proceed against Counts Struensee and Brandt for their crimes. Hence it is only necessary to deduce, prove, and hand in the indictment for sentence; and as such deduction, proof, and demand of sentence, I most submissively deliver this my memorial.
So certain and true as the proverb generally is, "that severe lords do not reign long," it is equally certain that such severe lords, during their brief authority, can produce as much harm as cannot be redressed in double the length of time.