Folio 28: Jefferyes to Stanhope. Account of audience with Czar. Next day, a conference...

Folio 28: Jefferyes to Stanhope. Account of audience with Czar. Next day, a conference with Safirov. Weber accompanying me. Said that I had been sent to the Czar to assure him of HM's sincere intentions. Asked by Safirov if I had any plan for the next campaign, answered no as I could not see how any could be made with the Czar against the king of Sweden when negotiating peace with him. Sounded Baron Safirov about settling a treaty of commerce upon the plan last delivered to Prince Kurakin at the Hague. He seems averse to it and maintains it unreasonable and injurious to Russia. Death of the king of Sweden, regarded as certain here, will change outlook of affairs in these northern parts. It is reported that the duke of Holstein, Count von der Nath, Baron Gortz and all the Holstein party under arrest. The Czar appears to espouse pretentions of the prince of Hesse-Cassell, rather than the duke of Holstein. Two expresses have been sent to Revel to order the readiness of the fleet. Tomorrow the Czar goes to Kronslot. Many of the highest rank have perfidiously enriched themselves and conspired against the Czar, who has called together the Senate to look into their conduct. Prince Menshikoff was accused of profiting from government of Ingria, of favouring the 3 brothers Salafiof, and of corresponding secretly with a Swedish minister, and after detention for a few days released. Has offered the Czar 200,000 roubles from his fraudulent commerce. Admiral Apraxin was found guilty of mismanagem of the fleet, divested of the Order of St.Andrew but later restored to the Czar's favour. The senator, Apraxin's brother was also arrested, having defrauded the Czar when director of salt mines, of 100,000 roubles a year. His restitution is a mere 80,000 roubles. Prince Gagarin, formerly governor of Siberia, is in confinement. The 3 Salofiofs are to pay 700,000 roubles for commerce in contraband over 2 or 3 years. Dated St Petersburg 9 Jan 1718/9.