Folio 3: Finch to Harrington. Although duke of Courland, Czarina and several others...

Folio 3: Finch to Harrington. Although duke of Courland, Czarina and several others assure me that they would unite closely with HM in my negotiations, they all dissuade me from pushing on with them. Then I obtained 2 hours of Count Osterman's time. He recapitulated everything reported previously to you. Affairs in Turkey mentioned. As to Sweden, things appeared clearer after Sparre's rage about Hessian treaty of subsidies, when he told Swedish King that by accepting offers of England and rejecting those of France he had equally sacrificed the interests of his crown and hereditary dominions and ruined the plan formed for the service of both. King, professing ignorance of plan, was told that under influence and direction of France the scheme was a quadruple alliance between France, Sweden, Denmark and Hesse Cassell, with troops of 3 powers brought together by the Pomeranians, the duke of Holstein and Landgrave in Lower Saxony. Bremen and Verden to be given to King of Denmark to make him join with Sweden against Prussia, and Minden to be given to the Landgrave. Osterman repeated his advice that we should prepare our friends in Holland concerning the dangerous situation in Europe in general and their own in particular. Bachoff, the Danish resident, presents his credentials as envoy tomorrow in private audience. Sweden and France hoped that they had secured Denmark, but it was hoped HM would see fit to renew the treaty of subsidies with her and make the offer quickly and frustrate those hopes and be shown how far he might depend on the Danes. Osterman expressed great satisfaction at the prospect that King of Prussia, with queen mother, was to visit H.M at Hanover where he hoped he would be as well entertained as are his ministers by the French king and his cardinals at Versailles, which had made a great impression at Berlin. King of Prussia professed interest to cultivate friendship of this court, although he was cool to Dresden. My interpellation that my negotiations would be the best foundation for such a system brought forth the suggestion that I should bring project to Osterman which I proposed for the next day. Orders have been given for 470 lasts of corn. The Chamberlain Cernysev is nominated for Spain. Bestuzev will soon be minister of the cabinet and his brother in Stockholm has extra 4,000 roubles a year. Captain Opie has sealed orders not to be opened until 3 leagues beyond Island of Hopland; perhaps related to Swedish snows in Baltic, thought to be too much in Russian waters. Carteret and Cotterel visiting here with Wetstein. Field Marshal Munnich, with hereditary prince of Courland, to visit fortifications at Vyborg and the frontier. Dated StPetersburg, 13 Aug 1740.