Folio 224: Finch to Harrington. Account of Generalissimo's birthday celebrations....

Folio 224: Finch to Harrington. Account of Generalissimo's birthday celebrations. Brevern took my answer from Count Osterman to Count Lynar who said it did not merit special messenger and it could be sent ordinarily and in the meantime he would write to Count Bruhl. Estafette here yesterday from Silesia or Berlin for Mardefeld who at the ball later approached His Highness and told him that the propositions of Lord Lyndford and Robinson were not acceptable to Prussian King. Immediately leaving the Prince, Mardefeld joined de la Chetardie. 1000 men marching today to join General Keith's army. Deliberations about first encounter on land. Account of small action at sea; the first hostility. Lynar instructed not to solicit answer any more but declare that as the King of Poland could not depend on the assistance of Russia, he would seek another way, on which the Prince generalissimo said there was great reason to believe that Dresden would apply to France, in order to share the divided spoils of the House of Austria. The Prince Generalissimo complained also of Botta's conduct. Because of this and Lynar and Mardefeld he would never entertain French mediation. Horse guards on night duty as combustible material discovered near the arsenal. Intrigues against Prince Generalissimo would increase if he returned to army, which he would like. English ships allowed at last to depart without hinderance. Swedes have chased some English ship en route here, into Revel. Dated St Petersburg, 18 Aug 1741.