Folio 85: Finch to Harrington. Bestuzev's return. Great Surprise to everyone. Count...

Folio 85: Finch to Harrington. Bestuzev's return. Great Surprise to everyone. Count Botta appears to be turning himself into a minister of this court employing all his credit, dexterity, malice and revenge to thwart the Duke [General-issimo] and Count Osterman. A professed enemy of them, Bestuzev has been brought back to support the Russian faction which aims to reduce country to the old system as before Peter the first. Projects for next campaign signed by Regent sent for confirmation by Senate making its power greater than hers. Measures tending to establish a Swedish senate and a limited government started earlier by Dolgorukovs make her believe Osterman not attached to her interest and that her husband is under his direction. Recently she has her doubts. France suspected of planning to send King Stanislaus back to Poland and fixing Count de Saxe in Courland which with Swedes on the other side may induce this court to go back to Moscow. French gentleman D'avesne has had no secret commission but had an introduction to Princess Elizabeth according to the General-issimo. Great Dichess on Czar's accession gave Prince Lewis a fine diamond star. Dated St Petersburg, 20 Oct 1741.