Folio 49: Finch to [?Harrington]. Settling of succession and regency have taken place...

Folio 49: Finch to [?Harrington]. Settling of succession and regency have taken place quietly. Extra-ordinary events here enable me to inform you of anecdotes and secrets since Czarina's illness. Account of her resuming sovereignty and her appointment without regard to lineal descent, hereditary right or any claims by primogeniture. Succession in favour of Princess Elizabeth, both in regard to Peter I and her own popularity. Expectations in favour of Princess Anne, Czarina's favourite and mother to son and heir. But Czarina settled all on John III, and the regency on duke of Courland. Junta gathered who embraced duke's success, but his diffidence was sternly criticized by Bestuzev who admonished him, saying he owed all to Russia and should render signal service to her in gratitude. Instruments signed and succession sealed. After demise everyone at court went to seal the Czarina's possessions and her dresser brought out a paper, which on examination proved to be the appointment of duke of Courland as regent. The regent told the prince of Brunswick that Count Osterman had drawn up both disposition and settlement and both were genuine. Duke gave £50,000 sterling per annum to Princess Anne for support of her household. Prince's conduct occasioned his resignation from Simonowski Guards as there were insinuations of insurrection and overthrow of regency. Princess Elizabeth given augmentation of 50,000 roubles a year, a popular act of grace. Several promotions made. Regency relished at Moscow, equally at St Petersburg. If Volijnski had lived he would by now have set fire to all four corners of Russia. Senate offers regent 25,000 roubles a month. Regent has title of Altesse Serenissime in French, Hochheit in German. As father of the Czar, the prince of Brunswick is styled as Altesse Serenissime too. Bestuzev's son now in Sweden is to be Chamberlain to regent, and minister in Sweden of the same name to be Grand Chamberlain to young Czar. Several officers granted release from army to retire to their estates - great mark of regent's goodness. No reason to absent myself from regent's court now he avowedly governs Russia. Account of mourning. No word dared be written from Moscow but if any discontent appears from there it is not against regent but the succession of an infant. Resignation of prince's army posts accepted. Regent has remitted sentence on Musin Puskin which was exile on Solovetski near Archangel in consideration of Prince Cerkasski whose sister married Puskin. Dated St Petersburg 1 Nov 1740.