Folio 136: Rondeau to Newcastle. Further to f.132 Count Wratislaw now has three more...

Folio 136: Rondeau to Newcastle. Further to f.132 Count Wratislaw now has three more pictures of the Emperor, set with diamonds, for the present German and Courland favourites. They were originally intended for the Princes Dolgorukov, who are disgraced a second time and sent to Siberia. Czarina feared that gentlemen who visited them in their first exile might raise rebellion against her. Persian ambassador, now recalled, achieved nothing because it is said he would not treat on former instructions when he heard Prince Tamas was in posession of Ispahan, and may contract with Ottoman government to drive Russians out of province of Ghilan, desirable to both the Grand Seigneur and the Sophy, whose subjects had a great silk trade with that province, before Russian conquest which ruined it. In this event Russia might wage war on the Turks keeping them fully employed at home and unable to assist the Emperor. Duke of Liria annoyed that recall of Prince Scerbatov, the Russian minister in Spain, so secret. Obvious that Russia has taken this step only on the persuasion of Vienna. Duke says his king should recall him too. Count Wratislaw and Russians hindered by duke from assisting Emperor in case a war should break out. Plea for immediate character similar to that of Ward. Congratulations to Czarina would be kindly received by this court and a mortification to that of Vienna. Dated Moscow, 29 June 1730.