“The relationship with the Landgrave improved greatly in 1803. A Danish King, and cousin of William, asked the Prince for loans but William declined because he did not want anyone to know how rich he had become. Rothschild learned about it and through Buderus, proposed lending the money anonymously. William thought the idea was splendid. The loan was sent through Mayer and a Hamburg Jew. The interests were paid to Rothschild, who, after taking commission, forwarded the money to the Landgrave. The event was a great triumph, after 36 years, Mayer had finally done a significant job for the Prince. Six more Landgrave loans to Denmark were negotiated by Rothschild. Many more loans ensued (although they required some teeth pulling on Buderus’ part), including loans to the Order of St. John. This negotiation of the Landgrave’s loans greatly increased the reputation of the House of Rothschild. By this time, Napoleon had come to power in France. This caused distress in Europe but brought great profits to the House of Rothschild. As one biographer put it ‘Napoleon seemed bent on improving the Rothschild’s lot in life.’ Even though Napoleon was not purposely doing it, the conditions he created were of great benefit. Napoleon tried to get the Landgrave as his ally, but Prince William squirmed and, as politely as possible, refused. William’s goal was to wait until the winning side in the Napoleonic conflict was clear so that he could join without any risks. The pressure of the situation gave the Landgrave a very bad temper.
By this time half the crown heads of Europe were in his debt. Napoleon grew tired of the Landgrave’s games. His troops invaded Germany and the province of Hesse to ‘remove the House of Hesse-Cassel from rulership and to strike it out of the list of powers.’ Wilhelmshohe became frantic as William attempted to hide his riches. After the scramble to conceal his wealth he fled the province and went to live in exile in Denmark. The French immediately found most of his treasures. e and Mayer had to act fast to preserve the wealth of the Landgrave. Some of the valuables had already been sold. They quickly bribed a French General, Lagrange, who turned over 42 trunks to Hessian officials and lied to Napoleon about the Prince’s true wealth. Lagrange’s deceptive act was eventually discovered and he was dismissed, but much of the wealth was preserved.
During the frantic moments before Hesse-Casssel’s invasion, the Landgrave gave Buderus the right to collect the interest payments due from Holy Roman Emperor Francis. Buderus eventually transferred this right to the Rothschilds. Mayer began doing the Landgrave’s business behind Napoleon’s back. These secret dealings were greatly boosted by the man Napoleon appointed to rule the area – Karl von Dalberg.”
The Rothschild – the House of the Rothschild (6)
“The relationship with the Landgrave improved greatly in 1803. A Danish King, and cousin of William, asked the Prince for loans but William declined because he did not want anyone to know how rich he had become. Rothschild learned about it and through Buderus, proposed lending the money anonymously. William thought the idea was splendid. The loan was sent through Mayer and a Hamburg Jew. The interests were paid to Rothschild, who, after taking commission, forwarded the money to the Landgrave. The event was a great triumph, after 36 years, Mayer had finally done a significant job for the Prince. Six more Landgrave loans to Denmark were negotiated by Rothschild. Many more loans ensued (although they required some teeth pulling on Buderus’ part), including loans to the Order of St. John. This negotiation of the Landgrave’s loans greatly increased the reputation of the House of Rothschild. By this time, Napoleon had come to power in France. This caused distress in Europe but brought great profits to the House of Rothschild. As one biographer put it ‘Napoleon seemed bent on improving the Rothschild’s lot in life.’ Even though Napoleon was not purposely doing it, the conditions he created were of great benefit. Napoleon tried to get the Landgrave as his ally, but Prince William squirmed and, as politely as possible, refused. William’s goal was to wait until the winning side in the Napoleonic conflict was clear so that he could join without any risks. The pressure of the situation gave the Landgrave a very bad temper.
By this time half the crown heads of Europe were in his debt. Napoleon grew tired of the Landgrave’s games. His troops invaded Germany and the province of Hesse to ‘remove the House of Hesse-Cassel from rulership and to strike it out of the list of powers.’ Wilhelmshohe became frantic as William attempted to hide his riches. After the scramble to conceal his wealth he fled the province and went to live in exile in Denmark. The French immediately found most of his treasures. e and Mayer had to act fast to preserve the wealth of the Landgrave. Some of the valuables had already been sold. They quickly bribed a French General, Lagrange, who turned over 42 trunks to Hessian officials and lied to Napoleon about the Prince’s true wealth. Lagrange’s deceptive act was eventually discovered and he was dismissed, but much of the wealth was preserved.
During the frantic moments before Hesse-Casssel’s invasion, the Landgrave gave Buderus the right to collect the interest payments due from Holy Roman Emperor Francis. Buderus eventually transferred this right to the Rothschilds. Mayer began doing the Landgrave’s business behind Napoleon’s back. These secret dealings were greatly boosted by the man Napoleon appointed to rule the area – Karl von Dalberg.”