Anker, Carsten Tank BREV TIL: Grey, Charles FRA: Anker, Carsten Tank (1814-10-22)

55.

Right Honorable Earl Grey,

Howick.

My Lord. I have had letters from Christian Frederik, dated the 1st and 6th last month. To describe his sufferings and perplexed situation is nearly impossible and still there are virtuous, nay religious sentiments in those letters, expressed with calmness, thought and temper.

In the provinces of Christiania and Christianssand, persons, who at the last Diet exhibited symptoms in favour of the Union with Sweden, have not been reelected.

Should Christian Frederik withdraw and refuse to be the leader of the physical and military strength of the nation, parties will arise and the contest may become dreadful. It is but too probable, that the Swedes will ultimately succeed, but for that purpose they must resort to bloody means.

The duke of Oldenburgs first chamberlain has some time ago been sent to Copenhagen to propose a marriage between his -eldest son and the Kings eldest daughter, 1 the princess royal, -on condition, that the succession to the throne of Denmark should s. 533follow the hand. The Emperor of Russia, pointing to his 50 000 men, now quartered in Holsten, has supported the demand.

May it be supposed, that Denmark dares to refuse? Now, My Lord, look to the situation of Christian Frederik. No doubt, this circumstance, of which I informed him immediately, must have increased his perplexity.

What a meeting does not await him at Copenhagen!

The scheme was imparted to me by a friend of mine of the first connexions on the continent, sincerely attached to Christian Frederik and I did not hesitate a moment to ask for an interview of Lord Liverpool, convinced that it was a secret, still unknown to the government. His Lordship listened to the information with marked attention, studiously avoiding however to make any observation upon the subject.

I am seriously concerned for the King of Denmark. Being an honest, unsuspicious man, he is easily led and imposed upon by the artful, versed in the contemptible practise of concealing duplicity. As to his advisers they are below the capacity which their stations require.

Himself, exalted by the distinguished invitation to assist at the august assembly, plunged in the vortex of festivities and romantic schemes of happiness, wishing to contribute his mite, — he will easily be prevailed upon to give his consent, from which he will not deviate, however detrimental to his subjects in times to come. They, his ministers, lulled by gracious nods and decorations, will think mighty well of the sublime distributions and alliances. All will be wise and applauded as such.

Intentionally or casually, he will be deceived.

Crossing jealousies and views can only save Denmark. Europe, no doubt, would be surprised to see Norway again offered to Denmark, and though improbable, it is not impossible. Where will they find a compensation for that kingdom?

Believe me, my Lord, C. F. is as sure in his intentions as any mortal can be. He is all, You wisely prescribe as requisite, s. 534except his not being a Norwegian. This is wanting and I allow it is a deficiency in the general opinion.

I fear he is lost for us and I not only fear, but I know with certainty, that no Norwegian is now in existence, who could supply his place with the deserved success.

Prejudice, surely not unfounded, requires a man of distinguished rank. Danish policy has depressed us — an independant fortune is no less necessary, and we are all more or less beggars. Next to that, we must have a military man of experience and we have had no wars.

In fine, a man who is ready to sacrifice life and fortune for the good cause. How difficult to meet with all this! My hope is still not extinguished. I rely on Divine Providence.

Our deliverance depends chiefly on foreign circumstances. Ponte-Corvo is hated, the leading powers are themselves perplexed, the plan of innovation is too refined and intricate to be completed, too monstrous not to meet opposition and too closely connected to be partially carried into effect.

I have recommended Conservators, if the Union is adopted, and the most courageous unanimity, if it is rejected.

This letter and its substance is the very mountain and the mouse! Your Lordship has spoiled me.

Accept etc.

C. Anker.

[Høivelbaarne Jarl Grey,

Howick.

Jeg har havt Breve fra Christian Frederik af 1. og 6. f. M. At beskrive hans Lidelser og vanskelige Stilling er næsten umuligt. Dog gaar der gjennem disse Breve en rehgiøs Overbevisning, der er fremsat med Ro, Eftertanke og Selvbeherskelse.

I Amterne omkring Christiania og Christianssand er de Personer, der paa forrige Storting udtalte sig til Fordel for Unionen med Sverige, ikke gjenvalgte.

s. 535Ifald Christian Frederik trækker sig tilbage og afslaar at overtage Ledelsen af Nationens materielle og militære Forsvar, vil der opstaa Partier, og Kampen vil blive frygtelig. Det er kun altfor sandsynligt, at Svenskerne tilsidst vil faa sin Villie, men isaafald maa de anvende blodige Midler.

Hertugen af Oldenburgs Overkammerherre er for nogen Tid siden bleven sendt til Kjøbenhavn for at foreslaa en Forbindelse mellem Hertugens ældste Søn og Kongens ældste Datter [Prinsesse Caroline] paa den Betingelse, at Arveretten til Danmarks Trone skulde følge med Prinsessens Haand. Keiseren af Rusland har understøttet denne Plan, idet han pegte paa sine nu i Holsten indkvarterede 50 000 Mand.

Kan man tænke sig, at Danmark vover at afslaa dette Egteskabstilbnd ? Deres Herlighed maa nu tænke paa Christian Frederiks Stilling. Denne Omstændighed, hvorom jeg straks underrettede ham, maa udentvivl have øget hans Raadvildhed.

Hvilket Møde venter ham ikke i Kjøbenhavn!

Planen meddeltes mig af en af mine Venner, der har de bedste Forbindelser paa Kontinenten, og som er Christian Frederik oprigtig hengiven. Jeg nølede derfor ikke med at begjære en Sammenkomst med Lord Liverpool, da jeg var overbevist om, at Sagen var en, endnu af Regjeringen ukjendt Hemmelighed.

Hans Herlighed lyttede med stor Opmerksomhed til, hvad jeg fortalte ham, men nndgik med Flid at udtale sig om Sagen.

Jeg er meget bekymret for Kongen af Danmark. Da han er en retskaffen og umistænksom Mand, ledes og beherskes han let af den, der er listig og øvet i den foragtelige Kunst at kunne skjule sin Falskhed. Hvad hans Raadgivere angaar, besidder de langtfra den Dygtighed, Deres Stilling kræver. Da han selv er henrykt over den smigrende Indbydelse til at tage Sæde i den høie Forsamling, da han er kastet ind i en Hvirvel af Festligheder og af romantiske Forestillinger om Fremtids Lykke, hvortil han ønsker at bidrage sin Skjerv, saa vil man let kunne s. 536formaa ham til at give sit Samtykke, som han ikke vil svigtet hvormeget det end med Tiden kan afvige fra hans Planer.

Hans Ministre, inddyssede af naadige Mk og Dekorationer,. vil synes godt om de storartede Dispositioner og Alliancer. Alt vil være udmerket og blive tilklappet. Han vil blive bedraget enten med Hensigt eller tilfældigvis.

Indbyrdes Misnndelse og Uenighed mellem Magterne kan alene frelse Danmark. Enropa vilde uden Tvivl blive forbauset ved, at Norge atter blev Danmark tilbudt, og skjønt dette er usandsynligt, er det ikke umuligt. Hvor vil der findes en Erstatning for hint Kongerige?

Tro mig, Mylord, Christian Frederik er ligesaa fast i sine Beslutninger, som nogen dødelig kan være.

Han er alt, hvad Deres Herlighed saa træffende fremholder som nødvendigt, undtagen, at han ikke er født Nordmand, og jeg tilstaar, at dette i den offentlige Mening er en Mangel ved ham.

Jeg er bange for, at han er tabt for os, og jeg ikke alene frygter for, men jeg ved med Sikkerhed, at ingen nn levende Nordmand tilfulde kan erstatte ham med det forønskede Held.

Forudfattede Meninger, der dog neppe kan siges at være uorundede, fordrer en Mand af fornem Stand. Den danske Politik har trykket os alle ned. En uafhængig Eormne har ikke mindre Betydning, men vi er alle i mere eller mindre Grad Tiggere.

Dernæst udfordres en erfaren Militær, men vi har ingen Krige havt. Kort sagt, vi maa have en Mand, der er villig til at ofre Liv og Formue for den gode Sag.

Hvor vanskeligt er det ikke at finde alt dette forenet! Men mit Haab [om at beholde Christian Frederik i Norge] er endnu ikke tilintetgjort. Jeg stoler paa det gnddommelige Forsyn.

Vor Redning beror hovedsagelig paa udenforstaaende Omstsendigheder. Fonte-Corvo er hadet. Stormagterne er selv raadvilde. Innovationsplanen [Ændringsplanen] er altfor fin og indviklet til at kunne gjennemføres, altfor styg til ikke at møde Modstand og altfor helstøbt til blot delvis at bringes i Udførelse.

s. 537Jeg har anbefalet Ansættelse af Konservatores for det Tilfælde, at der bliver nogen Union af, og den mocligste Enighedr ifald den forkastes.

Dette Brev og dets Indhold er somBjerget og Musen! Deres. Herlighed har forvænnet mig.

Modtag osv.

C. Anker.