Folio 85: Harrington to Finch. HM willing to believe that Russian assurances of desire...

Folio 85: Harrington to Finch. HM willing to believe that Russian assurances of desire to unite with him only deferred by fear of France embroiling Russia's unfinished affairs with the Porte, so that a little time may accomplish this. HM wishes you to continueand does not despair of you succeeding. As your letters show, Count Osterman complains that you held back HM's views of courts of the north and particularly the gaining of king of Prussia. Tell him that HM has nothing more at heart than friendship with Czarina, peace of the north and balance of power in Europe, then they may expedite your mission's objective. Also HM says if these particulars are achieved the king of Prussia might be gained and his desire for reasonable share of the succession of Berg and Julich obtained. Sweden knows fully what we are doing there and HM will go further. HM has no intention of allowing Denmark to fall into wrong hands and he has suggested men from there to be taken into his service and pay on condition that Denmark prolongs our present treaty. Such a bait hardly withstandable to that necessitous court. HM also endeavouring to secure Emperor and States General in the above ends. In giving Czarina these confidences as such sure proof of his friendship, HM hopes for equal openness in return. French squadrons mentioned. Dated Lintzbourg, 29 Sept 1740.