MARIA THERESIA

This document reflects the centralising tendency of Maria Theresia, when Hungary was peaceful but ruled by edict from Vienna, especially during the latter part of her reign. The Diet was by-passed and the office of Palatine of Hungary not filled after 1765; but the Empress sought to be good to all, including the serfs, in particular setting up schools and colleges all over the country, using the estates confiscated from the Jesuits.The recipient is Ferdinand IV of Naples later Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies (1751–1825), who had married Maria Theresa's daughter, Maria Carolina of Austria, in 1768. Thus, when she calls him brother and kinsman, it reflects the conventions of royal address — brother denoting equal rank,and kinsman acknowledging family ties by marriage.TranscriptionSerenissime ac Potentissime Princeps frater et Consanguinee charissime! Qui Mihi jam binis Legationibus fidem Suam probaverat fidelis Mihi Dilectus Franciscus Josephus Comes à Wurmbrand Cubicularius Actualis est et Consiliarius Meus actuatis intimus huic ad Generum charissimum jam tertia decernimus. Sunt Illi practer natalium decus, mores integerrimi, nee dispar moribus ingenium, quale fidi sensuum Meorum, apud Majistatem Vestram interpretis esse decet. Accedit egregia verum traetandarum prudentia, quae non minorem Mihi fiduciam ingenerat, lundem cœteras res Meas, atque Negotia si quae occurcere possent, dextere procuraturum esse, Quem in finem Legati extra ordinem, ac Ministri Plenipotentiarii charactere Illum insignitum volui. Minime igitur Mihi dubitare licet, quin Majestas hunc Meum Ministrum benevole excipere, facitem as Se aditum patere, quidquid de liberalissima Mea erga Landem voluntate, tenerisque animi Sensibus expositurus est, huic plenam Fidem haber velit, Id quod et à Majestate Vestra impense requiro et expecto. Et quod Superest Majti V omnigenae felicitatis fumutum sincero affectu voveo. Datum Viennae die Sta Junii 1771. Majestatis Vestrae bonaSoror et Consanguinea. Maria TheresaTranslationTo the Most Serene and Most Powerful Prince, the Lord Ferdinand, King of the Two Sicilies, our dearest brother and kinsman, Most Serene and Most Powerful Prince, dearest brother and kinsman, He who has already, on two previous embassies, proven to Me his loyalty — My faithful and well-beloved Francis Joseph, Count of Wurmbrand, now serving as Actual Chamberlain and Counsellor of My Privy Council — is the one whom I now dispatch a third time to My most beloved son-in-law. In addition to the distinction of his birth, he possesses the most upright character, and a mind well suited to his morals, such as befits the interpreter of My sincere sentiments toward Your Majesty. To this is joined a remarkable prudence in handling affairs, which inspires in Me full confidence that he will skillfully conduct not only this present mission, but also any other business that may arise. For this reason, I have deemed it fitting to invest him with the character of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. I can therefore entertain no doubt that Your Majesty will graciously receive My minister, grant him free access to Your person, and give entire credence to all that he shall express on My behalf concerning My most generous goodwill and the tender feelings of My heart toward Your Majesty. This I earnestly request and confidently expect from Your Majesty. And, as for what remains, I offer, with the sincerest affection, My heartfelt wishes for Your Majesty's complete and enduring happiness. Given at Vienna, on the 6th day of June, 1771. Your good sister and kinswoman, Maria Theresa