Folio 199: Finch to Harrington. Compliment on death of Czarina came too late, but...

Folio 199: Finch to Harrington. Compliment on death of Czarina came too late, but I reported to Count Osterman your dispatch about critical juncture of Europe, necessity of an unreserved communication and mutual concert of measures. Both courts must maintain indivisibility of Austrian succession in favour of present queen of Hungary and Bohemia. Both courts should be ready to agree on measures which HM might think proper to communicate. Osterman added that Cardinal Fleury professed strongly that France would execute faithfully her guarantee of the Pragmatic Sanction, without attempting to dismember that succession but as she was bound to the elector of Bavaria becoming Emperor, her views may not be in favour of duke of Lorraine whose election he, Osterman, thought absolutely essential for preservation of Empire and prosperity of whole Germaine body. He approves also the declaration of States General, and hopes for HM's ideas on the matter. Dated St Petersburg 29 Nov 1740.