Folio 78: Jefferyes to Stanhope. The estates of Courland assembled at Mitau will...

Folio 78: Jefferyes to Stanhope. The estates of Courland assembled at Mitau will not disband until the dowager duchess of Courland, at present at Olonitz, returns home. All demands of the Czar are agreed to: they have rejected, at the Czar's direction, an order ofthe republic for their appearance at the Warsaw diet in May. This is confirmed by the Prussian envoy here, Baron de Mardefeld, who added that the Czar is opposed to the Prussian acquisition of Courland or to Poland turning the duchy into voievodships. Mardefeld showed him the 6th article of the marriage treaty lately concluded with the Czar. The dowager duchess, having 40,000 dollars yearly from the duchy, will put the Margrave Philip in possession of most of Courland. Visited Safirov to demand an answer to petitions on behalf of 4 merchants. He said they were sent to the Admiralty Court and no reply could be expected until the return of the Grand-Admiral from Olonitz. Has sought the release of 2 seamen imprisoned for refusing Russian service. The duke of Holstein's party is reported to have seized Malmo. The Danes said to be preparing to aid him by invading next spring. This is supported by Lord Polworth's report that the duke administrator of Holstein is expected at Copenhagen. If true, it will ruin the Swedes who, torn by internal strife, will be attacked by both the Danes and the Russians. Neglin has arrived here from the duke administrator. Dated St Petersburg, 13 Feb 1718/9.