n consequence of this assurance that a new treaty
between Great Britain and Prussia was concluded at London on the seventh
day of December, importing, That as the burdensome war in which the
king of Prussia is engaged, lays him under the necessity of making fresh
efforts to defend himself against the multitude of enemies who attack
his dominions, he is obliged to take new measures with the king of
England, for their reciprocal defence and safety; and his Britannic
majesty hath at the same time signified his earnest desire to strengthen
the friendship subsisting between the two courts; and, in consequence
thereof, to conclude a formal convention, for granting to his Prussian
majesty speedy and powerful assistance, their majesties have nominated
and authorized their ministers to concert and settle the following
articles:--All formal treaties between the two crowns, particularly that
signed at Westminster on the sixteenth day of January in the year
1756, and the convention of the eleventh of April in the year 1758, are
confirmed by the present convention of the eleventh of April in the year
1758, in their whole tenor, as if they were herein inserted word for
word. The king of Great Britain shall cause to be paid at London, to
such person or persons as shall be authorized by the king of Prussia for
that end, the sum of four millions of rix-dollars, making six hundred
and seventy thousand pounds sterling, at one payment, immediately on the
exchange of the ratification, if the king of Prussia should so require.
His Prussian majesty shall employ the said sum in supporting and
augmenting his forces, which shall act in such manner as shall be of the
greatest service to the common cause, and contribute most to the mutual
defence and safety of their said majesties. The king of Great Britain,
both as king and elector, and the king of Prussia, reciprocally bind
themselves not to conclude with the powers that have taken part in the
present war, any treaty of peace, truce, or other such like convention,
but by common advice and consent, each expressly including therein the
other. The ratification of the present convention shall be exchanged
within six weeks, or sooner, if possible. In effect, this treaty was no
other than a renewal of the subsidy from year to year, because it was
not thought proper to stipulate in the first subsidiary convention an
annual supply of such importance until the war should be terminated,
lest the people of E