Note 2 — Chapter I · RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY LIFE IN HANOVER.

“While the King of Prussia was warring in the south of Germany, an army of 60,000 Frenchmen under Marshal d’Estrées was directed upon Hanover, and occupied in the first place the Prussian dominions lying upon the Rhine.... d’Estrées had been to a certain degree successful in an action at Hastenbeck, on the Weser, and had forced Cumberland to retreat. That commander continued to yield ground incessantly, leaving Hanover and Magdeburg unprotected.... He concluded with Richelieu the convention of Closter Severn, by which he engaged that ... the Hanoverian troops should continue inactive in their quarters near Stade. Hostilities were to be suspended, and no stipulation was made respecting the Electorate of Hanover. That country was accordingly plundered without mercy, and subjected to enormous contributions.”—Annals of France, Encyclopædia Metropolitana.