It is easy to see, the Elector's Claim was to no less than the Whole of the late Emperor's succession. The King of Spain also publish'd his Pretensions to all the late Emperor's Dominions, and made Preparations for invading Italy. In short the new Queen beheld that Storm gathering, which quickly overspread Germany, and which gave her but too much Occasion for exerting that Magnanimity and Constancy of Mind, which heighten her eminent Virtues, and have render'd her justly the Admiration of her Enemies themselves.
To these Claimants, whose Pretensions might have been foreseen, appear'd a third no way expected, but whose Title seem'd to be as well founded, as his Power to support it was unquestionable. This was the young King of Prussia, who claim'd the Principality of Silesia, as antiently belonging to the Brandenburgh Family, from whom the House of Austria had gain'd it by unjust means. As this Prince assembled a numerous Army on the Emperor's Death, every one imagined it was to support the Pragmatic Sanction. But, instead of this, in November he enter'd Silesia, at the head of 30,000 Men, and soon made himself master of Breslaw, the Capital, and the greatest Part of the Country, the Austrians being in no Condition to oppose him. His Behaviour to the vanquish'd was so generous, as easily won their Affections; the rather, as the major Part of that People were of the reform'd Communion, and had suffer'd on that Account much Persecution from the House of Austria; whereas the Court of Berlin had always declared and often interposed in their Favour.
As soon as the King of Prussia had struck his Blow, he caused, by his Ministers, the following verbal Proposals to be laid before the Court of Vienna:
I. That he would guarantee the Queen's Dominions in Germany with his whole Force. And for that End
II. He would enter into a close Alliance with the Courts of Vienna, Petersburgh, and the Maritime Powers.
III. That he would use his utmost Endeavours to get the D. of Lorrain raised to the Imperial Throne.
IV. That he would advance the Queen in ready Money two Millions of Florins.
V. In Consideration of all which, he only desired the absolute cession of Silesia.
The Queen's Answer was strong and peremptory: She thank'd the King for his Offers with regard to the D. of Lorrain; but as the Election, by the Golden Rule, should be free, she thought raising a War in Germany was no likely means of contributing to that End. That as to the Offer of two Millions, the contributions his Army had raised in Silesia amounted to more: And, as to the cession of that Province, her Majesty being resolved to maintain the Pragmatic Sanction, could never consent to the Dismembring any Province belonging to the Succession handed down to her, without violating her Honour and her Conscience....