Ifanyoneofhisofficershadmadearichcapture，Trenckinstantlybecamehisenemy。Hewassentoneverydangerousexpeditiontillhefell，andthecolonelbecamehisuniversalheir，forTrenckappropriatedallhecouldtohimself。Hewasreputedtobeamanmostexpertinmilitaryscience，anexcellentengineer，andtopossessanexacteyeinestimatingheightsanddistances。Inallenterpriseshewasfirst；inuredtofatigue，hisironbodycouldsupportitwithoutinconvenience。Nothingescapedhisvigilance，allwasturnedtoaccount，andwhatvalourcouldnotaccomplish，cunningsupplied。Hispridesufferedhimnottoincuranobligation，andthushewasunthankful；hisactionsallcentredinself，andashewasremarkablyfortunateinwhateverheundertook，heascribedeventhat，whichaccidentgave，toforesightandgenius。
Yetwasheever，asanofficer，amostusefulandinestimablemantothestate。Hisrespectforhissovereign，andhiszealinherservice，wereunbounded；wheneverherglorywasatstake，hedevotedhimselfhervictim。ThisIasserttobetruth：Iknewhimwell。
Oflittleconsequenceisittome，whetherthehistoriansofMariaTheresahave，orhavenot，misrepresentedhistalentsandthefamehedeserved。
ThelifeofTrenckIwriteforthefollowingreasons。Hehadthehonourfirsttoform，andcommand，regulartroops，raisedinSclavonia。Thesoldiersacquiredgloryundertheirleader，andsustainedthetotteringpowerofAustria：theymadelibationsoftheirbloodinitsdefence，asdidTrenck，invariousbattles。Heservedlikeabravewarrior，withzeal，loyalty，andeffect。ThevilepersecutionsofhisenemiesatVienna，withwhomherefusedtosharetheplunderhehadmade，losthimhonour，liberty，andnotonlythepersonalpropertyhehadacquired，butlikewisethefamilypatrimonyinHungary。Hediedlikeamalefactor，illegallysentencedtoimprisonment；andknaveshaveaffirmed，andfoolshavebelieved，andbelievestill，hetooktheKingofPrussiaprisoner，andthathegrantedhimfreedominconsequenceofabribe。SohavetheloyalHungariansbeenledtosupposethatanHungarianhadreallybeenatraitor。
Bymywritings，Iwishtoprovetothisnoblenationonthecontrary，thatTrenck，forhisloyaltydeservedcompassion，esteem，andhonourinhiscountry。ThisIhavealreadydoneintheformerpartofmyhistory。ThedeadTrenckcanspeaknomore；butitisthedutyofthelivingevertospeakindefenceofright。