[p. 560]
|560| likewise the estates have put themselves in possession of independence, but alongside the Austrian power, against which the apprehensions under the name of a universal monarchy were formerly directed, the Prussian monarchy has formed, which, strong enough in itself, [maintained itself] in the Seven Years’ War not only against the power of the Austrian but of several monarchies, and since then has grown greater still in Poland and in Franconia.
Through this power of its own Prussia has stepped out of the sphere of the common interest in preserving independence, and is therefore no longer to be regarded [as] the natural centre for the estates for the preservation of independence. It may desire the alliance of other estates, it is in this respect independent of the assistance of the German princes, it can protect itself by itself. The league of the German estates with it is accordingly unequal, for it needs it less than they need it, and the advantage must therefore also be unequal. Prussia can itself arouse apprehensions.
In the last war four political systems have shown themselves in Germany: the one the Austrian, the second the imperial, [the third] the neutral, the fourth the Prussian.
Austria has had no immediate assistance, [except] perhaps from a few small princes, [e.g.] the Bishop of Brixen, who lies in the midst of its states. It demands of the German estates assistance and common cooperation as the imperial house; and to the imperial system there have adhered all the less powerful estates, especially of southern Germany, which can preserve any independence only through the continued existence of a German Empire, above all ecclesiastical estates and imperial cities.
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