To this end, I instructed the Ministers to put their views to me in writing, and to work out such a system as speedily as possible. When, however, no constructive idea emerged, my repeated reminders notwithstanding, and when I saw that the Ministers were more inclined to spread themselves in controversy and argument than genuinely to take the problem in hand – urgent as it was – that the work dragged on and on, and that no one was willing, or able, to attack the problem seriously, then, however, by the especial intervention and Providence of God, and to the salvation of these lands, I became acquainted with Count Haugwitz, who, out of loyalty and devotion, had left all in Silesia and stood by my side in time of trouble. He was presented to me first by H. M. the Emperor, and after him, Count Tarucca, who was always my consultant in private affairs, as well as in matters concerning the Italian Provinces and the Netherlands, and from whom I received much good advice and counsel in my inexperience; also, he brought me to a true understanding of affairs and men, without, however, ever interfering in Provincial and State affairs, only pointing out my course to me and showing me where I went wrong, which is most necessary for a ruler; yet there are very few willing to do it, most men refraining out of respect or self-interest. I should therefore wish that all my children might find his like, to give them such help, and I owe Tarucca a great debt, which I will always seek to repay to his children and enjoin my successors to do likewise.
But to come back to Haugwitz. He was truly sent to me by Providence, for to break the deadlock I needed such a man, honorable, disinterested, without predispositions, and with neither ambition nor hangers-on, who supported what was good because he saw it to be good, of magnanimous disinterestedness and attachment to his Monarch, unprejudiced, with great capacity and industry and untiring diligence, not afraid to come into the open or to draw on himself the unjust hatred of interested parties – indeed, Count Harrach, who, as I shall presently show, was his greatest opponent, often himself said to me that without Haugwitz things could never have been brought into order, that a man like him was necessary for this, and that no one but he alone would have ventured to undertake the task – and, verily, the special blessing of God’s mighty hand has been over him in all and everything.
The situation had reached the very desperate pitch which I have described when, with the Emperor’s approval, I instructed Koch to have Haugwitz draw up a plan for the maintenance of a force of 100,000 men, with all possible economy, eliminating all excessive demands by the military and providing all possible relief for the Provinces. Haugwitz carried out this commission in a way which earned my and His Majesty’s special approval, because on the one hand it ensured that the Provinces were unmolested and protected against all exactions by the military, and on the other, it provided for the greatest possible economy in the military budget, while yet allowing sufficiently for all essential expediture.
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