Maria Theresa's Political Testament (1749-50)

page 8 of 28    print version    return to list

previous document      next document

By this I do not mean Pharisaicalness and hypocrisy unaccompanied by true diligence, work and care for the State and for the general good.

Here I will say a few words about my predecessors. Their great piety led them to donate many – most – of the Cameral estates and revenues, which at that time served good purpose in supporting religion and improving the position of the clergy. Since, however, God has now so blessed us in the German Hereditary Lands that both the Catholic religion is most flourishing and the condition of the clergy is good and assured, this principle no longer holds good. And it would not merely not be laudable, but would in my view rather be culpable to give and cede more to the clergy, for, firstly, they do not need it, and secondly, they do not – alas! – apply what they have as they should, and moreover, they constitute a heavy burden on the public. For no monastic House observes the limitations of its statutes, and many idlers are admitted; all of this will call for a great reform, which I propose to carry out in good time and after due consideration.

I except, however, from such measures the Kingdom of Hungary, where much still remains to be done for religion, in which task I shall require the clergy there to cooperate, but not work with them alone, but concert chiefly with laymen on the principles to be followed, the chief aim of which must be to introduce seminaries, colleges, academies, hospitals for the sick and injured, conservatories, as in Italy, for unmarried women, for the better instruction of the young, etc., taking careful pains to support and develop what is useful to the public, and not what profits the private advantage of the clergy, monks, and nuns in any Province, it being well understood that even this salutary intention cannot be realized until the military has been put completely on the footing necessary to secure the preservation of the Monarchy and the welfare of its Provinces and subjects.

I must also say something of the Crown revenues, out of which the requirements of the Court and the Embassies have to be met as is proper and necessary, and also of the public debt, on which the preservation of the Monarchy also depends, and without which no State can exist. When these necessities of State have been met, it is a Prince’s duty to devote all his resources to the welfare and relief of his lands and subjects, and of the poor among them; not to waste the money coming in on frivolities, pomp and display.

And although I shall probably not live to see that happy day, yet I hope by constant laborious effort, care and toil to set affairs in such a state that in fifty years, or perhaps even earlier, the results will, with God’s blessing, be showing themselves; and I rely confidently on my successors to continue in this path, adhering faithfully to the principles of virtue, piety, justice, and fatherly love, mercy and care for their lands and subjects, which I have tried to inculcate in them in their youth. Should – which God forbid – this not occur, I would wish and earnestly pray to God that if foreigners and even enemies were more deserving and cared better for their lands, it were a thousand times better they should have them.