At a glanceKey from adjacent plaintext · complete
- The letters
- Lieutenant-Colonel G. von Schöning, sent to the court of Frederick II on Princess Wilhelmina’s behalf, to the advocate-fiscal J.C. van der Hoop and to the Princess, 28 July 1783 – 10 July 1784.
- Where
- Koninklijk Huisarchief, The Hague, A32 Wilhelmina, inv. A32-603 (212 scans), with the sibling files A32-599, 601, 602 and 604. Not on DECODE.
- The cipher
- Running French in a private symbol alphabet, one sign per letter, a dot above to double it, and names and titles as numbers from a one-part alphabetical code with homophones (Berlin 106, Hertzberg 446–450, Prince 724–733, Roi 809–818, Sa Majesté 857–861).
- How it was read
- The alphabet was aligned on Van der Hoop’s ten clear copies (142 of 143 signs agree on a second pair); the code was built from his glosses, his “Déchiffrement” of 14 December 1783 in A32-599 and De Larrey’s key list, then applied to the eleven letters he never copied. Statistical test: pass.
- What it says
- “914 [Thulemeier] est un infâme. 446 [Hertzberg] sera envoyé. 818 [le Roi] hait et méprise de bon cœur 724 [le Prince], mais en revanche il aime tendrement 734 [la Princesse].” Later, a plan for a defensive and offensive alliance of the Republic with France, Spain and Prussia.
- Still open
- 38 scattered code numbers, 62 scattered signs under blots or a later hand, and a fixed signature formula and an address panel too short to read.
01 The file
A32-603 holds 43 letters of Schöning, 28 July 1783 to 10 July 1784: 34 to Van der Hoop in French and 9 to the Princess in German, with notes of Frederick II and De Larrey’s memoranda. Twenty-four contain cipher. Van der Hoop made clear copies of ten of them, writing out the symbol text but leaving most code numbers as numbers; the other eleven he never copied. Schöning wrote on 26 January 1784 that Van der Hoop could not read his last letter for numbers missing from his alphabet.
02 The cipher
The running text is a private alphabet of hooks, strokes and loops, one sign per letter, with a dot above a sign to double it and a short tick to separate words written together. The three earliest letters use a variant in which one sign serves both o and d. Names, titles and a few words are numbers of two or three digits from a one-part code in alphabetical order, with several numbers per frequent name. The code table rests on Van der Hoop’s glosses, his “Déchiffrement de Lettres de S., communiqué à LL.AA.S.&R. le 14 Dec 1783” (A32-599), glossed copies in A32-602, and a seventeen-entry key list in De Larrey’s dossier (A32-604) marked “Byland”. 188 of the 226 numbers that occur now have a value.
03 The reading
Code values in brackets; Schöning spells by sound (“aumeur” for humeur, “hasar” for hasard), normalised here. Full text and translation in reading.md and reading_en.md.
No. 3, Potsdam, 8 August 1783. “… parler [au Roi]. [Thulemeier] est un infâme. [Hertzberg] sera envoyé. [Le Roi] hait et méprise de bon cœur [le Prince], mais en revanche il aime tendrement [la Princesse]. Dans peu un courrier exprès, et alors plus amplement. Le temps me manque, adieu.” — “… [Thulemeier] is a scoundrel. [Hertzberg] will be sent away. [The King] heartily hates and despises [the Prince], but he tenderly loves [the Princess].”
No. 1, 28 July 1783. The town is full of Dutchmen “entre lesquels il y en a des faux patriotes”; he told his contact to praise the reigning burgomasters of Amsterdam, and found him furious against Thulemeier.
24 December 1783. The privy council should take care that [the Stadholder] does not thwart Bérenger’s money negotiation, nor the intrigues he will play “pour faire un parti contre l’Empereur par ordre de [Sa Majesté]”.
January 1784, the alliance. “Il me paraît qu’une alliance pour quelques années avec [la France], l’Espagne et la Prusse serait non seulement utile mais même nécessaire à [la République]. Cette alliance faudrait être défensive et offensive, pour empêcher [l’Angleterre] et [l’Empereur] qu’ils ne profitent de la faiblesse de [la République].” The Orangists should assure the future French ambassador, de Vérac, that they are “rien moins qu’anglomanes”.
26–27 January 1784. The King is better, “ce n’est qu’une crampe aux bras”; the secret channel “n’est point découvert et ne le sera jamais”; and “rien ne me peut retenir que l’amour pour ma très chère princesse, car mon poste secret je l’abhorre depuis longtemps”.
10 July 1784. The revolt the Gazette placed at Petersburg was at Constantinople, stirred up by “notre” Gaffron, whom [the King] has recalled for Spandau.
04 Method
- Alphabet. Subagents labelled the signs in ASCII (G01–G24) and aligned the 6 January 1784 original with its copy; the table was checked on the 25 November 1783 pair, 142 of 143 signs agreeing (
letter_table.tsv,verify.md). - Code. Glosses, context and alphabetical bracketing (
code_table.tsv), then a survey of the sibling files A32-599, 601 and 602 and the No. 4 glosses, which added about 128 values (code_values_new.tsv, applied byapply_values.py). - Reading. The eleven uncopied letters transcribed sign by sign (
dec_*.tsv); every line checked with a French model (sense.py), and the weak lines of No. 1, Nos. 2–3 and the January letters re-read at five to six times magnification. - Measure. 4,088 tokens, 3,988 given a value (97.6%); 95.9% of letter signs on lines that read as French; 188 of 226 code numbers known.
_validate.py: the reading scores −2.15 per letter against random keys at −5.89 (z 5.7) and a key fitted to shuffled text at −3.26: pass.
05 What remains open
- 38 code numbers with no gloss anywhere in the five files (among them 475, 499, 500, 661, 950, 1066); 500 opens three letters, probably “J’ai” or a formula.
- 62 scattered signs under blots or under figures a later hand wrote over No. 1.
- Schöning’s signature formula (30–31 signs in a digit script) and the address panel of s029 (about 33 signs in a third script): one fixed short string each, no clear form in the file.
- Readings rest on the sign tables and a model check; the decipherer’s copies confirm the tables, not the uncopied letters themselves.
Full texts
The transcription and the decryption of every document on this page, so that the reading can be used and checked. Short files are shown here; all are in the repository.
Schoning to Van der Hoop and the Princess, 1783-84: the eleven letters without a clear copy
Schoning's secret mission at the Prussian court for Princess Wilhelmina: his arrival and the false patriots at Potsdam, Thulemeier 'un infame' and Hertzberg to be sent away, the King's hatred of the Prince and love of the Princess, a plan for a defensive and offensive alliance of the Republic with France, Spain and Prussia against England and the Emperor, his secret channel, and Gaffron's affair at Constantinople.
Transcription
# No. 1, 28 July 1783 (s001; s002 has no cipher). Partial gloss in another hand above line 1 ("de vous mander que je suis ... le moindre accident"), and "facheux accident territoire prussien" at the foot.
# line 1
500 [bracket: 451 Hollande? < ? < 582 lettre?]
G12 l
G23 h
G01 o
G02. nn
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G15 d
G07 e
G10 v
G01 o
G08 u
G18 s
G06 m
G09 a
G02 n
G15 d
G07 e
G05 r
G14 q
G08 u
G07 e
G17 j
G07 e
G18 s
G08 u
G17 i
G09 a
G05. rr
G17 i
G10 v
G07 e
G05 r
G23 h
G17 i
G07 e
G05 r
G18 s
G09 a
G02 n
G07 ?
G18 s
G12 l
G07 e
G06 m
G01 o
G17 i
G02 n
G15 d
G05 r
G07 e
G11 ?
G09 a
G11 c
G17 i
G15 d
G09 a
G02 n
G03 t
G04 f
G04 ?
G09 a
G11 c
G23 h
G01 ?
G07 e
G06 ?
G13 ?
G13 ?
G02. ?
G12 l
G07 e
G03 t
G07 e
G05. rr
G17 i
G03 t
G01 o
G17 i
G05 r
G07 e
G13 p
G05 r
# line 2
G08 u
G18. ss
G17 i
G07 e
G02 n
G18 s
# line 2
# clear: hormis que je me porte un peu mal, mais j'espaire que ce n'aurat point de suite. Cette ville est ramplie
G15 d
G23 h
G01 o
G12. ll
# line 3
G09 a
G02 n
G15 d
G01 o
G17 i
G18 s
G07 e
G02 n
G03 t
G05 r
G07 e
G12 l
G07 e
G18 s
G14 q
G08 u
G07 e
G12 l
G17 i
G12 l
NEW1 y
G07 e
G02 n
G09 a
G15 d
G07 e
G18 s
G04 f
G01 o
G08 u
G22 x
G13 p
G09 a
G03 t
G05 r
G17 i
G15 o
G03 t
G07 e
G18 s
500 [bracket: 451 Hollande? < ? < 582 lettre?]
G13 p
G09 a
G05 r
G12 l
G07 e
G05 r
G06 m
G01 o
G02 n
G18 s
G17 i
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G12 l
G09 a
G02 n
G19 g
G18 s
G01 o
G02 n
G09 a
G08 u
G06 m
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G15 d
G08 u
G11 c
G15 o
G08 u
G05 r
G05 r
G17 i
G07 e
G05 r
G15 d
G08 u
G24 b
NEW5 ?
G18 s
G05 r
G23 h
# notes (5x pass, n5_L3*): after monsieur: l a n g s o n a u, divider dot, m e u r, then du courrier (d u c o u r r i e r, inverted-T as d then o), du b... ; NEW5 = blotted sign over a figure-7 stroke before s r h at the line end; G19 open C read g but the word is unclear (a name? or l'an(c)... son humeur?)
# 6x pass 26 Oct 2026: signs before 500 re-read; NEW1 (small square box) = y in "il y en a"; the sign after "Hollandois" is overwritten by later figures (read e, entre); a vertical stroke from the overwriting hand crosses after "lesquel" (no sign read there); "patriotes" with inverted-T as o
# line 3 reading: (clear: Cette ville est ramplie de Holl-)andois entre lesquel il y en a des foux (faux) patriotes :: 500 parler monsieur langson(?) aumeur (son humeur? cf. l'aumeur = l'humeur, line 6) du courrier du b ? (s) r h ... (runs on to line 4)
# NEW1 = small square box sign, line 3
# lines 4-20 (cipher runs between clear text down to the signature "8a9g..." and "le 28 Juillet 1783 No. 1"): NOT transcribed in this pass
# reading: 500 [j'ai] l'honneur de vous mander que je suis arriver hier san(s) le moindre accidant facheu(x) ... le territoire prussiens hormis que je me porte un peu mal ... Cette ville est ramplie de Hollandais ... 500 parler monsieur ...
# --- second pass at 3x-6x (lines 4 on); uncertain signs read '?' ---
# line 4
G17 i
G02 n
G07 e
G03 t
G12 l
G08 u
G17 i
G09 a
G17 i
G15 d
G17 i
G07 e
G03 t
G15 d
NEW7 ?
G15 d
G01 o
G02. nn
G07 e
G03 t
G08 u
G02 n
G07 e
G12 l
G15 o
G08 u
G07 e
G02 n
G19 g
G07 e
G24 b
G17 i
G07 e
G02 n
G06 m
G07 e
G05 r
G17 i
G03 t
G07 e
G09 a
G08 u
G22 x
G24 b
G15 o
G08 u
G05 r
G19 g
G08 u
G07 e
G06 m
G07 e
G03 t
G05 r
G07 e
G05 r
G07 e
G19 g
G02 n
G09 a
G02 n
G03 t
G15 d
G09 a
G06 m
G18 s
G03 t
G07 e
G05 r
G15 d
G09 a
G06 m
# notes: 5x pass (n5_L4*): line opens under an interlinear gloss with corrected/overwritten signs; signs 7-9 three looped signs (i or l, unclear); NEW2 = crossed f-like sign with dot below, read as G22 x (teriteaux); 'pour' written as a dash then inverted-T o u r (the dash read as a divider, not b); after pour: c u e d e m r e r l n a n t (tail unclear: 'que demeurer'? '[v]enant'?); donnet une, bien, Amsterdam secure
# 6x pass 26 Oct 2026: signs 7-9 are i, arch (a), i: "lui ai"; after "diet" an inverted-T, a sign hidden under the overwriting hand's figure (NEW7, read e from context), then d o nn e t; "louenge" = l + inverted-T as o + u e n + open C (G19 g) + e (earlier "l-duence"); "bien merite" with the small L (m); the dash before o u r is G24 b: bourguemetre; "~ e ~ e C" read r e r e g (earlier "rerl"): regnant d'Amsterdam
# line 4 reading: (line 3 runs on) ...inet lui ai diet (dit) d[e] donnet (donner) une louenge (louange) bien merite aux bourguemetre(s) regnant d'Amsterdam :: (clear: Je sui arriver a tems)
# line 5
G11 c
G09 a
G05 r
G12 l
G07 e
G13 p
G09 a
G05 r
G03 t
G17 i
G15 d
G08 u
G15 d
G08 u
G11 c
G09 a
G10 v
G01 o
G17 i
G03 t
G03 ?
NEW2 ?
G13 p
G01 o
G17 i
G18 s
G15 d
G02 n
G07 e
G05 r
G12 l
G07 e
G24 b
G17 i
G07 e
G02 n
G14 q
G08 u
G17 i
G12 l
G10 v
G17 i
G07 e
G02. nn
G07 e
G03 t
G15 d
G07 e
G04 f
G09 a
G17 i
G05 r
G07 e
# notes: 'viennent' written v i e nn e t; 't?pois' blotted (ink blot over sign 2)
# line reading: (clear: pour l'empecher de faire le contraire,) car le parti du duc avoit ?-pois donner le bien qu'il viennent de faire :: (clear: Il est)
# line 6
G11 c
G07 e
G10 v
G07 e
G08 u
G03 t
G15 d
G17 i
G05 r
G07 e
G12 l
G09 a
G08 u
G06 m
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G15 d
G01 o
G02 n
G03 t
G17 i
G12 l
G06 m
G07 e
G13 p
G09 a
G05 r
G12 l
G07 e
NEW3 c
G01 o
G02 n
G03 t
G05 r
G07 e
G06 m
G15 o
G02 n
G18 s
G17 i
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G03 t
G23 h
G08 u
G12 l
G07 e
G06 m
G07 e
G17 i
G07 e
G05 r
# notes: NEW3 = sign under an ink blot before 'ontre', read c from context; signs 4-6 unclear; '::' after 'parle' not written as a token; in 'Thulemeier' the 6th sign read m
# 6x pass 26 Oct 2026: signs 3-6 are the T with the curling descender (G10 v), e, u, large L (t): "ce veut dire"; no extra e before dire; the sign in "l-umeur" is the arch G09 (a), not h: the writer spells humeur "aumeur" (also line 3)
# line 6 reading: (clear: Il est furieusement emporter) ce veut dire (cela veut dire) l'aumeur (l'humeur) dont il me parle :: contre monsieur Thulemeier (clear: il ne lui donne point de pardon)
# line 7
G15 d
G07 e
G13 p
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G14 q
G08 u
G17 i
G12 l
# line reading: (clear: de pardon; m'ai je lui ai dit de rester tranquile a ce sujet, et d'etre bien precautioneux pour qu'elque tems) de peur qu'il
# line 8
G02 n
G07 e
G06 m
G09 a
G14 q
G08 u
G07 e
G15 d
G07 e
G18 s
G09 a
G11 g
G07 e
G02 n
G15 ?
G18 s
G24 b
G17 i
G07 e
G02 n
G17 i
G02 n
G03 t
G07 e
G02 n
G03 t
G17 i
G15 o
G02. nn
G07 e
G18 s
G14 q
G08 u
G06 ?
G15 d
G07 e
G06 m
G05 r
G07 e
G18 s
G14 ?
G03 t
G05 r
G07 e
G18 s
G11 g
G08 u
G09 a
G05 r
G15 d
G07 e
G05 r
G07 e
G11 g
G09 a
G05 r
G15 d
G09 a
G02 n
G03 t
G12 l
G07 e
G13 p
G09 a
G05 r
G03 t
G17 i
G15 d
G08 u
G11 c
G07 ?
G12 ?
# notes: cup sign G11 reads g in agens/regardant (cf. 'se meler' note in signs_alphabet: G11 not only c); middle stretch after 'intentionnes' uncertain; last word perhaps 'ciel' or a slip for 'duc'
# line reading: (qu'il) ne manque des agens bien intentionnes qu? demeres(?) tres g(u)arde(?) regardant le parti du c?el :: (clear: Je sui assure qu'il)
# line 9
G17 i
G12 l
NEW4 s
G15 o
G08 u
G13 p
G18 s
G15 o
G02. nn
G09 a
G06 m
G15 o
G02 n
G18 s
G17 i
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G10 v
G15 o
G03 t
G05 r
G07 e
G04 f
G05 r
G07 e
G05 r
G07 e
G12 l
G07 e
G19 g
G07 e
G02 n
G07 e
G05 r
G09 a
G12 l
G15 d
G07 e
G03 t
G05 r
G07 e
G15 d
G08 u
G13 p
G09 a
G05 r
G03 t
G17 i
G15 d
G08 u
G11 c
G09 a
G12 l
499 [bracket: 451 Hollande? < ? < 582 lettre?]
G15 d
G07 e
G12 l
G07 e
G15 d
G07 e
G18 s
G09 a
G24 b
G08 u
G18 s
G07 e
G05 r
# notes: 5x pass (n5_L9*): NEW4 = heavy forked upright with long left descender = s (same as G21, the second s sign): il soupsonna (soupconna). Inverted-T read o in soupsonna/monsieur/votre, d in d'etre/du/de. 'general' has the open C G19 = g. 'du cal' (cup + arch + crossed loop) recurs at the end of line 8; unexplained, perhaps a slip or abbreviation (cabale?)
# line reading: (clear: n'y manquera pas.) il soupsonna monsieur votre frere le general d'etre du parti du cal(?) : 499 de le desabuser
# line 12
G06 m
G09 a
G17 i
G18 s
G10 v
G15 o
G08 u
G18. ss?
G09 a
G02 n
G08 u
G05 r
G07 e
G13 p
G05 r
G07 e
G18 s
G07 e
G02 n
G03 t
G07 e
G15 d
G07 e
G02 n
G03 t
G18 s
G15 o
G02 n
G13 p
G05 r
G15 o
G17 j
G09 a
G17 i
G03 t
# notes: 5x pass (n5_L12*): sign 5 is the T with a descender curling left = G10 v (as in 'votre' line 9), not q; sign 8 is a figure-7 with a dot above (ss by the dot rule) but 'vous ss anur' gives no clear word; 'dent son' = dans son (sound-spelling); last word p r o j a i t = projet (cf. donnet for donnait); represente, dent son projait secure
# line reading: (clear: force de dire la verite a son sujet.) mais vous ?(ss)anur(?) represente dent son projait (dans son projet) :: (clear: il a le feux militaire, je croi de)
# line 13
G09 a
G10 v
G07 e
G02 n
G03 t
G14 q
G08 u
G15 o
G02. nn
NEW3 e
G18 s
G15 o
G17 i
G03. tt
G15 o
G08 u
G03 t
G09 a
G04 f
G09 a
G17 i
G18 s
G08 u
G05 r
G15 d
G07 e
G12 l
G09 a
G24 b
G15 o
G02. nn
G07 e
G05 r
G07 e
G08 u
G18. ss
G17 i
# notes: 5x pass (n5_L13*): first word is a v e n t (avant, sound-spelled), not avec; G14 q then u o nn = qu'on n(e); NEW3 = ink blot, read e from context; dotted L = tt (soi[t] tout); the sign after 'a' in 'a fai' is the short T with stem = G04 f (earlier read h); the dash before 'onne' is G24 b (bonne); dotted figure-7 = ss in reussi (same sign as line 12 sign 8)
# line reading: (clear: ... ne faut point etre mis en usage) avent qu'onn[e] soit tout a fai(t) sur de la bonne reussi- (line 14: -te ::)
# line 14
G03 t
G07 e
NEW3 ?
G08 u
G18 s
G15 d
G08 u
G06 m
G17 i
G07 e
G02 n
G15 d
G08 u
G11 g
G05 r
G09 a
G02 n
G15 d
G10 f?
G05 r
G07 e
G15 d
G07 e
G05 r
G17 i
G01 c?
G07 e
G03 t
G13 p
G09 a
G05 r
G12 l
G09 a
G15 d
G07 e
G18 s
G10 v
G05 r
G09 a
G17 i
G18 s
G24 b
G15 o
G02 n
G18 s
G17 i
G02 n
G03 t
G07 e
G02 n
G03 t
G17 i
G15 o
G02. nn
G07 e
G18 s
G18 s
G07 a?
G02 n
G18 s
G11 c
G07 e
G03 t
G07 e
G13 p
G05 r
G07 e
G11 c
G08 ?
G09 a
G11 ?
G07 ?
G03 t
G03 ?
G17 i
G15 o
G02 n
G03 t
G07 e
G15 d
G08 u
G17. ss
G07 e
G05 r
G10 ?
# notes: NEW3 = blotted sign at line start; 'Frederic' first sign drawn as the T-with-curl (read f, v elsewhere); 'sans' written with the e-sign; 'precaution' garbled (c u a c e t t i o n)
# line reading: (line 13 ends) ...te :: ?us du mien du grand Frederic et par la des vrais bons intentionnes :: sans cete precaution ... te d(e)usser ... (runs on)
# line 15
G07 e
G05 r
G17 i
G15 o
G02 n
G03 t
G06 m
G09 a
G12 l
880 [Son Altesse Royale?]
475 [bracket: 450 Hertzberg? < ? < 582 lettre?]
G18 s
G07 e
G05 r
G07 e
G02 n
G17 i
G18. ss
G17 i
G06 m
NEW3 e
G03 t
G12 l
G09 a
G06 m
G09 a
G12 l
G23 h
G07 e
G08 u
G05 r
G07 e
G08 u
G18 s
G07 e
801 [Republique / Provinces-Unies?]
G11 c
G07 e
G03 t
G17 i
G15 d
G17. i
G07 e
G18 s
G08 u
G17. i
G09 a
G05. rr
G17 i
G10 v
G07 e
G05 r
G09 a
NEW6 v?
G07 e
G20 z
G07 e
G12. l
G07 e
# notes: 5x pass (n5_L15*): after 475: s e r e n ? i ss i m [blot] = serenissime (sign 5 after s e r e n is an extra inverted-T, unclear); then a lone L-sign (t? et?) before la malheureuse; after 801: c e t i d i e (cet idee, sound-spelled), s u i a + small dotted cup + i v e r a (s'y a(cc)ivera? unclear); hash sign = G20 z: z e l e (zele, dotted l); NEW6 = squared bracket open to the LEFT without middle bar (mirror of G08), before 'e zele', read v from context (a ve zele = avec zele); ink blot = NEW3; 880 and 475 code readings unchanged
# 6x pass 26 Oct 2026: second L at line start is the small L (m): "t mal"; sign 3 after s e r e n is the looped G17 (i), not an inverted T: serenissime (one i before the dotted s; the earlier pass counted it twice); the L after the blot is the large L (t); the dotted sign before i v e r a is the wave with a dot (rr), not a cup: arrivera; only one arch before NEW6 (the second a was a double count)
# line 15 reading: (line 14 runs on) ...verion t mal 880 . 475 : serenissime [e]t la malheureuse 801 . cet idie (cette idee) sui a(r)rivera ?e zele (avec zele?) :: (clear: ma maladie est un peu plus forte)
# line 16 (s001 line near foot: 'force de prendre recours a')
G09 a
G12 l
G09 a
G11 c
G09 a
G17 i
G18. ss
G07 e
G15 d
G08 u
403 [bracket: 343 France < ? < 435 Heidm...]
G15 d
G08 u
G01 ?
G15 d
G07 e
G02 n
G15 ?
G03 ?
G05 r
G07 e
G08 u
G15 d
G17 i
G11 c
G07 e
G01 ?
G15 ?
G03 ?
G07 e
# notes: 'caisse' with dotted s (ss); after 403 weakly read, perhaps '... prejudice'
# line reading: (clear: forcer de prendre recours) a la caisse du 403 . du ? den ?reudice(?) ... :: (clear: ce qui auroit put faire un mauvais effait)
# signature (last line, before 'le 28 Juillet 1783. No. 1'): digit/symbol run read as 8a97 H 3 0 9 6 0 5 3 3 4 + 5 9 6 3 8 7 9 9 a, not transcribed as tokens, not read (as in No. 2)
# second-pass note: line 3 continues after 'parler monsieur' with ~25 more signs not in the first pass (seen: '... ? du duc(?) ...'); added in the 5x pass (n5_L3*)Decryption
# Schoning's cipher passages, 1783-84 (KHA A32-603): reading
The deciphered cipher passages letter by letter, with code numbers given their values in [brackets]
(`code_table.tsv`, `code_values_new.tsv`). Spelling is Schoning's, which is often by sound ("aumeur" = humeur,
"hasar" = hasard, "reucisoit" = reussissoit). Clear French around the cipher is marked (clear: ...). [?] = unread sign,
[500?] = code number without a value. Sign-level transcriptions: `dec_*.tsv`; measure: `measure.log`.
## No. 1, Potsdam (Brandenburg territory), 28 July 1783 (s001; dec_001)
[J'ai] l'honneur de vous mander que je suis arriver hier san(s) le moindre accident facheux [sur] le territoire
prussien, (clear: hormis que je me porte un peu mal ... Cette ville est remplie de Holl)andois, entre lesquels il y en
a des faux patriotes. [500?] parler monsieur ... (son) humeur du courrier ... lui ai dit de donner une louange bien
meritee aux bourguemestres regnant d'Amsterdam. (clear: Je suis arrive a temps pour l'empecher de faire le
contraire,) car le parti du duc avoit [?] donner le bien qu'ils viennent de faire. (clear: Il est furieusement
emporte,) cela veut dire l'humeur dont il me parle contre monsieur Thulemeier; (clear: il ne lui donne point de
pardon; mais je lui ai dit de rester tranquille a ce sujet, et d'etre bien precautionneux pour quelque temps) de peur
qu'il ne manque des agents bien intentionnes ... (clear: Je suis assure qu'il n'y manquera pas.) Il soupconna
monsieur votre frere le general d'etre du parti du [?]: [499?] de le desabuser ... avant qu'on ne soit tout a fait
sur de la bonne reussite ... [880 S.A.R.]. [475?]: Serenissime, et la malheureuse [801 Republique]. Cette idee ...
avec zele ... a la caisse du [403?] ...
## No. 2, 3 Aug 1783 (dec_003)
(j'espere etre en etat) de me presenter personnellement au roi; pour la correspondance tout est arrange. (Le 7 je
serai de bonne heure) a Potsdam, et je crois bien que [750 le Prince de Prusse] aura pris les arrangements necessaires
d'etre averti du moment de mon arrivee et de me faire avoir ses ordres.
## No. 3, Potsdam 8 Aug 1783 (dec_005)
[500?] parler [809 le Roi]. [914 Thulemeier] est un infame. [446 Hertzberg] sera envoye. [818 le Roi] hait et meprise
de bon coeur [724 le Prince], mais en revanche il aime tendrement [734 la Princesse]. Dans peu un courrier expres, et
alors plus amplement. Le temps me manque, adieu. Potsdam ce huit d'aout mil sept cent quatre-vingt-trois.
## 24 Dec 1783 (dec_129)
[Ma] mission ... [prier tout] le conseil prive d'etre bien sur leur garde, que [70 S.A.S.] ne contrecarre point
Berenger regardant la negociation d'argent pour ..., ni les intrigues qu'il jouera pour faire un parti contre
l'Empereur par ordre de [857 Sa Majeste].
## Jan 1784, the plan for an alliance (s172; dec_172_page)
Je crois que [S.A.S.] ferait tres bien s'il cherchait de persuader ses amis qu'ils [?] de Verac, futur
ambassadeur de [France] a [418 La Haye], par leurs avis, dans les [180 Etats?], qu'ils ne sont rien moins
qu'anglomanes; qu'au contraire ils sont parfaitement convaincus que l'amitie de [861 Sa Majeste] tres chretienne leur
est chere et absolument necessaire pour ... l'harmonie et la tranquillite de la [Republique]. Il faudrait se montrer
en toute occasion contraire a une alliance avec l'Angleterre, l'Autriche et la Russie. Au contraire il me parait
qu'une alliance pour quelques annees avec [350 la France], l'Espagne et la Prusse serait non seulement utile mais
meme necessaire a [801 la Republique]. Cette alliance faudrait etre defensive et offensive, pour empecher
l'[481 Angleterre] et l'[250 Empereur] qu'ils ne profitent de la faiblesse de [804 la Republique]. Par la elle aurait
le temps, les esprits etant tranquillises, ... d'ameliorer et fortifier les ports et les frontieres, redresser les
vrais abus dans la constitution, et de reformer ... les ministres. Sans une telle alliance la Republique court le
risque que l'[485 Angleterre] et l'[255 Empereur], la force des armes a la main, ... lui prescrivent ce qui leur
semblerait bon: l'[482 Angleterre] s'emparera premierement des possessions hollandaises ... et renouvellera le
traite, tant nuisible que deshonorant, ...; l'[291] ouvrira ... la navigation ..., et
s'emparera de toutes les possessions de [803 la Republique] ... La France seule [344] ... a cause du derangement de
leurs finances ... L'Espagne n'est presque en rien interessee ... Mais si ces trois puissances s'unissent par une
alliance defensive et offensive pour quelques annees avec [803 la Republique], alors les circonstances de ce temps
font que toutes ces quatre puissances y trouvent leurs interets, et, alliees ensemble, elles se donneront
prudemment les forces necessaires pour empecher les vues ambitieuses et nuisibles pour toute l'Europe de
l'[253 Empereur] et de la [Russie?]. Vous m'ecrirez a ce sujet.
## Jan 1784 (s173-s174; dec_173_pages)
... ce que les politiques de votre pays en jugent; et si on me laisse agir, je tournerai le tout au bien de [801 la
Republique] et de la maison d'Orange. Le changement du ministere en [85 Angleterre] ne changera point le projet forme
entre l'[252 Empereur] et le roi d'[82 Angleterre?] ... pour le necessaire de ma mission ... la bourse de [67 S.A.S.]
dans une correspondance secrete ... connu de [70 S.A.S.] ... [857 Sa Majeste] soit interesse dans ma mission, et que
son interet et le sort de la maison d'Orange, qui me sont seuls chers, eu egard a [884 S.A.R.] (clear: le demandaient
absolument,) je ne me serais jamais decouvert ... par amour pour [61 S.A.R.] ... de veiller sur l'esprit de [861 Sa
Majeste] et de lui faire concevoir et agreer tout ce qui tend au bien de [805 la Republique] et de la maison
d'Orange ... Mais pourtant, si par hasard elle reussissait, voila les points apres lesquels je pourrais faire mon
decompte: ... eloigner le prejuge de monsieur Larrey, que je ne suis qu'un simple porteur de lettres ... (clear:
cela veut dire mon veritable secret, la necessite de) ma mission, (l'influence que j'ai sur l'esprit de [857 Sa
Majeste]) ... dans des affaires politiques ... avec tous les gens d'affaires du roi ... dans les affaires de
negociations ...
## 26-27 Jan 1784 and Feb 1784 (s175-s176; dec_175_pages)
P.S. [809 le Roi] se porte aujourd'hui beaucoup mieux, et dans le fond sa maladie n'est pas dangereuse, ce n'est
qu'une crampe aux bras. Si la nouvelle parvenue en Hollande n'est pas ecrite directement (clear: par madame la
marquise de Chatelet, ou par le comte G. de Goertz,) elle parvient pourtant de cette source ... l'aura conte a
monsieur [484] et Schula l'aura ecrit a [435 Heiden]. Ce qui regarde la correspondance, le canal n'est point
decouvert et ne le sera jamais ... du [733 Prince]; ici il faut aussi etre une communication reguliere de lettres
... il n'y a personne de [155 la Cabale] qui me connaisse ... la confiance de [66 S.A.S.] ... instruit de beaucoup de
ce qui se passe aux cours etrangeres ... pour les interets de la [maison d'O]range et de la Republique ... ne me peut
retenir que l'amour pour ma tres chere princesse, car mon poste secret je l'abhorre depuis longtemps ... lettres
soulignees de [66 S.A.S.], [61 S.A.R.], [461 Van der Hoop], [861 Sa Majeste] et [862 Schoning] ... qu'il soit a [106
Berlin] ... au nouveau [72] de [343 la France] ...
## 10 July 1784 (dec_204)
Petersbourg, l'Imperatrice, Constantinople, Gaffron, l'Imperatrice, Gaffron, Spandau ... [164 la Cabale] ... [766 la
Prusse] ... [895 le Stadhouder] ... [817 le Roi]: the Gazette's revolt at Petersburg was really at Constantinople,
stirred up by "notre" Gaffron; [861] recalled him, and he will be put in Spandau.
## Code-only letters
dec_025, dec_027, dec_109, dec_142, dec_154: clear French with code numbers only (Monsieur Larre "n'est point
instruit de mes secrets"; "vous les envoyez a [418 La Haye] ou ils restent dans les mains de Monsieur Larre"; l'arrivee
du [198 199 Courrier extraordinaire]).Translation
# Schoning's cipher passages, 1783-84: English translation Translation of `reading.md`. Code words in [brackets]; "..." marks clear text not repeated or signs unread. **No. 1, 28 July 1783.** I have the honour to inform you that I arrived yesterday on Prussian territory without the slightest unfortunate accident, except that I am a little unwell ... This town is full of Dutchmen, among whom there are some false patriots ... [I] told him to give well-deserved praise to the reigning burgomasters of Amsterdam. I arrived in time to stop him doing the contrary, for the duke's party had [tried to undo] the good they have just done. He is furiously worked up, that is, the ill humour he speaks of against Monsieur Thulemeier; he gives him no pardon; but I told him to keep calm on this subject and to be very cautious for some time, for fear that he might lack well-intentioned agents ... He suspected Monsieur your brother the general of belonging to the party of the [...]; [...] to undeceive him ... before one is quite sure of success ... [Her Royal Highness] ... Serene, and the unhappy [Republic]. This idea ... with zeal ... the treasury of [...]. **No. 2, 3 Aug 1783.** (I hope to be able) to present myself in person to the King; for the correspondence everything is arranged. (On the 7th I shall be early) at Potsdam, and I believe [the Prince of Prussia] will have made the arrangements needed to be told the moment I arrive and to have his orders sent to me. **No. 3, Potsdam 8 Aug 1783.** [...] speak [to the King]. [Thulemeier] is a scoundrel. [Hertzberg] will be sent away. [The King] hates and heartily despises [the Prince], but on the other hand he loves [the Princess] tenderly. Shortly an express courier, and then more fully. Time is short, adieu. Potsdam, the eighth of August 1783. **24 Dec 1783.** [My] mission ... [to ask the whole] privy council to be well on their guard, so that [His Serene Highness] does not thwart Berenger over the money negotiation for ..., nor the intrigues he will play to form a party against the Emperor on the orders of [His Majesty]. **Jan 1784, the plan for an alliance.** I believe [His Serene Highness] would do very well to try to persuade his friends that they should [show] de Verac, the future French ambassador at [The Hague], by their advice in the [States], that they are anything but Anglomaniacs; that on the contrary they are perfectly convinced that the friendship of [His] Most Christian [Majesty] is dear to them and absolutely necessary for ... the harmony and tranquillity of the [Republic]. They should show themselves on every occasion opposed to an alliance with England, Austria and Russia. On the contrary it seems to me that an alliance for some years with [France], Spain and Prussia would be not only useful but even necessary to [the Republic]. This alliance should be defensive and offensive, to prevent [England] and the [Emperor] from profiting by the weakness of [the Republic]. In that way it would have time, once minds are calmed, ... to improve and fortify the ports and frontiers, to redress the true abuses in the constitution, and to reform ... the ministers. Without such an alliance the Republic runs the risk that [England] and the [Emperor], arms in hand, ... dictate to it what they please: [England] will first seize the Dutch possessions ... and renew the treaty, as harmful as it is dishonourable ...; [...] will open ... navigation ..., and seize all the possessions of [the Republic] ... [France] alone ... because of the disorder of their finances ... Spain has almost no interest ... But if these three powers unite in a defensive and offensive alliance for some years with [the Republic], then the circumstances of the time make all four powers find their interest in it, and, allied together, they will prudently give themselves the forces needed to stop the ambitious views, harmful to all Europe, of the [Emperor] and of [Russia]. Write to me on this subject. **Jan 1784 (s173-s174).** ... what the politicians of your country think of it; and if I am left to act, I shall turn the whole to the good of [the Republic] and of the House of Orange. The change of ministry in [England] will not change the plan formed between the [Emperor] and the King of [England] ... for the needs of my mission ... the purse of [His Serene Highness] in a secret correspondence ... known to [His Serene Highness] ... that [His Majesty] be interested in my mission, and that his interest and the fate of the House of Orange, which alone are dear to me, with regard to [Her Royal Highness], absolutely required it, I would never have revealed myself ... out of love for [Her Royal Highness] ... to watch over the mind of [His Majesty] and make him conceive and accept all that tends to the good of [the Republic] and of the House of Orange ... But if by chance it succeeded, these are the points on which I could make my reckoning: ... to remove Monsieur Larrey's prejudice that I am only a simple carrier of letters ... that is, my true secret, the necessity of my mission, the influence I have over the mind of [His Majesty] ... in political affairs ... with all the King's men of business ... in matters of negotiation ... **26-27 Jan and Feb 1784.** P.S. [The King] is much better today, and at bottom his illness is not dangerous; it is only a cramp in the arms. If the news that reached Holland was not written directly by Madame la Marquise de Chatelet or by Count G. von Goertz, it still comes from that source ... will have told it to Monsieur [...] and Schula will have written it to [Heiden]. As regards the correspondence, the channel is not discovered and never will be ... of [the Prince]; here there must also be a regular exchange of letters ... there is no one of [the Cabal] who knows me ... the confidence of [His Serene Highness] ... informed of much of what passes at foreign courts ... for the interests of the House of Orange and of the Republic ... nothing can hold me but love for my very dear Princess, for I have long loathed my secret post ... underlined letters of [His Serene Highness], [Her Royal Highness], [Van der Hoop], [His Majesty] and [Schoning] ... that he be at [Berlin] ... to the new [...] of [France] ... **10 July 1784.** The revolt the Gazette placed at Petersburg was really at Constantinople, stirred up by "our" Gaffron; [His Majesty] recalled him, and he will be put in Spandau ([the Cabal], [Prussia], [the Stadholder], [the King]).
Key: letter_table.tsv
06 Sources
- Koninklijk Huisarchief, The Hague, A32 Wilhelmina, inv. A32-599 to A32-604, papers on Schöning’s secret mission to Berlin, 1783–84, on Koninklijke Verzamelingen.
- No edition of these letters was found.
Files: targets/schoning1783/ (sign tables, transcriptions, reading, translation, NOTES).