Folio 28: Finch to Harrington. Explanation of several articles in preceding dispatches....

Folio 28: Finch to Harrington. Explanation of several articles in preceding dispatches. Count Osterman nettled that overtures about Silesia were not made to Russia before being made to Prussia. Russian views on cession of Breslau and other districts in Silesia andrelevance to Pragmatic Sanction. Question of Anglo-Russian mediation. Osterman reaffirms Russian intention to honour obligations to Austria if the maritime powers join with them. Osterman angry when I suggested that Prince Serbatov had been precipitous and premature in demanding immediate arrival of English fleet in the Baltic before treaty ratified and Casus Foedeius existed. Osterman thought objects to treaty were to preserve tranquility of the North and rest of Europe by the execution of the Pragmatic Sanction. The sooner first was secured the sooner Russia could concur in the second. England will support Russia against Sweden if France continues subsidies to Sweden. I must submit to Russia that HM could deploy 12 men of war better in his service than to come `fishing' in the Baltic. English squadron necessary to convoy Russian fleet if it should go out. Account of numbers of ships and men in navy, also numbers of men in conquered provinces including Loise. Wolfradt, formerly adjutant to Count Munnich arrested at Riga while en route for Pomerania; probably to examine letters from Munnich and Nolken which he carried. Numerous Courland officers dismissed. This not easily understandable when Russia seems to have views there in favour of a Prince of Brunswick. Wolczek went yesterday to Knronstadt. Dated St Petersburg 2 June 1741.