Folio 112: Finch to Harrington. Have abstained from pressing Count Osterman further...

Folio 112: Finch to Harrington. Have abstained from pressing Count Osterman further about treaty. Both Czarina and duke of Courland see treaty as advantageous equally as it could not be accomplished on any other footing. Delays all due to Osterman, partly from old Prussian inclinations and the rest from his deference to France. He affects great esteem and regard for French ministers, especially Cardinal Fleury, in return for strong doses of flattery. He adds he is an enemy to their plans, which he thinks will be fatal to Europe, if not stopped. Duke of Courland's inclinations much more favourable, but wanted not to appear to force this affair. The late State criminal Volynski had painted the Duke in odious colours, as if he had been author of first the Polish war and then the Turkish war, and pretended that if Russia rushed headlong into an English alliance she would precipitate into a third war with France. Duke of Courland will continue to keep his promises and employ his credit and influence to remove any difficulties at the conference which without his help would be insuperable. Seraskier and other Turkish prisoners left here. News of Persian ambassador arriving at frontiers may be premature. Answer from Nolcken about incident with Swedish snow and Russian packet appears to differ in several particulars. New form of passport communicated to the Factory. King of Denmark's lowering of duty on linen mainly agreeable. Hides and leather not given consideration. Count Osterman sent to me the declaration of this court to Bachoff on the Sound affair and an abstract of College of Commerce report. Both in German. Will send when translated. Dated St Petersburg 24 Sept 1740.