Folio 174: Finch to Harrington. Russia certainly obliged to HM for the secret and...

Folio 174: Finch to Harrington. Russia certainly obliged to HM for the secret and important intelligence, at which, however, Count Osterman politically affected indifference. He and prince acknowledged the suspicions they had. This court also pleased to receive HM's plan to adjust the Silesian dispute. It thinks any cession of any part of Silesia impracticable with the Pragmatic Sanction and that any inflation of king of Prussia may make him troublesome neighbour. They doubted at first the news relating to the plans of Bavaria, Spain and France, as the last would be prevented from taking part in any troubles of the Empire by the Cardinal's age, the Spanish war, the scarcity of money and greater scarcity of corn in France. Russia thinks France would not agree to anything that might aggrandize the elector of Brandenburg. She doubts the French scheme, yet is still of the opinion that if Austria is not vigorously supported now France will remain an indifferent spectator whilst the princes of the Empire tear themselves to pieces and fear that Vienna will at last throw herself into the hands of France who they hear has already made some secret propositions relating to Luxembourg. On the other hand should Austria be vigorously supported by those powers who have a visible interest in her preservation, Russia would heartily cooperate towards it with the maritime powers. Osterman said that although this method of negotiation would not have been advised from here and would, he feared, set aside the recent one at Dresden, yet it will be agreed to on the same principle of not separating the agreement and plans of the above mentioned powers, but he thought that nothing could be done until HM's resolution received after he had the queen of Hungary's answer to Robinson's overtime. His conversation relating to Sweden will be communicated next post. Count Lynar received a letter from Walters, the Saxon resident at Stockholm, saying that Count Gylemburg had suggested that Sweden's preparations were only meant to put her in a defensive position against Russia and prevent her from meddling in domestic affairs of Sweden. This was rather to conceal the true design of the diet and is seen in that light by this court. Dated St Petersburg 21 Apr 1741.