[Born at Nassau, 1756. Died 1831. Aged 75.]
A great Minister of modern times. Though rough and uncouth in his
manners, his honour was unimpeachable, his integrity without a flaw, and
his devotion to the interests of Prussia patriotic and enlightened. He
was Prussian Minister of Finance in 1804: but resigning in consequence
of some differences with the King, he retired to his patrimony in
Nassau. Thence recalled after the peace of Tilsit, he resumed his
functions, and commenced a series of great social, economical, and
material reforms, which led directly to the resuscitation of the
Prussian monarchy, and to her present eminence. Napoleon, jealous of the
useful activity of this Minister, demanded and obtained his exile. In
1813, the banished man proceeded to St. Petersburg, where his counsels
directed the Emperor Alexander through the crisis of that dreadful year.
Nor did Prussian interests suffer, in consequence of the sagacious
advice that came from time to time to Berlin from the exile’s retreat in
Courland.