Folio 192: Finch to Harrington. Count Osterman showed me the memoire raissone which...

Folio 192: Finch to Harrington. Count Osterman showed me the memoire raissone which Vienna delivered to Robinson in answer to HM's overtures to king of Prussia and General Botta also showed it to me, and I did not let on that I had seen it before I read it a second time. Another answer in moderate and amicable terms from king of Prussia, justifying his invasion of Silesia and expressing at same time his wish to resolve all disputes with queen of Hungary. Sir Everard Fawkener in Constantinople writes of the distinguished reception given to General Rumjancov at his entry. Indication of Porte's sincere disposition to settle disputes with Russia. Have endeavoured to show the impossibility of Sweden breaking with Russia, but, if she does, it will be to her almost total ruin, without danger to Russia. When pressed, Osterman cannot disagree. The prince, well disposed but under direction of tutor [?Fleury], has been throwing out for some days that Osterman in consideration of his age and infirmities would not wish to leave Russia in inextricable difficulties at his death and that the uncertainty whether Sweden would attack Russia by Vyborg or descend on Livonia means the necessity of assembling an army on one side to guard the whole coast of the other. Dated St Petersburg 2 May 1741.