Folios 146-149. A letter from Count Windischgratz to the King, dated at the Hague....

Folios 146-149. A letter from Count Windischgratz to the King, dated at the Hague. Congratulates the King on his safe arrival in London, and reminds his Majesty that he told him to write to the Emperor and then forward the reply; this he is now doing: The Emperor has not written before about Munster, having had weakness of the eyes. He regrets much that the peace with the Turks has come to nothing. Discusses matters concerning the troops with the Elector of Saxony, which he is exhausting entirely and has removed from the Emperor all the emoluments that the troops used to get. Wishes to show equal favour to the Duke of Zell and the Elector of Brandenburg. The Emperor cannot imagine what has been written from Sweden, nor the basis for it, as he has not done the slightest thing that could cause suspicion among the Allies, his desire being always to keep to terms with the Allied Powers. Assures the King of the Emperor's mutual affection and confidence, noting that he will keep secret the mooted possibility of an eventual project once peace is achieved. Thinks if there could be peace, which is not guaranteed given the arrogance of France, the King from his position, would be the best person, to settle the conditions. Discusses all the competing interests at stake in arriving at peace and security. Invites further secret communications from the King about a potential project, which he can then communicate secretly by his own hand to the King of Spain. The Emperor indicates that he has heard that France flatters itself that the two Crowns of the North, with Munster, Hannover and Saxony, can be induced to peace, but the Emperor strongly doubts this.