Folio 191: Finch to Harrington. (Separate B) Chetardie's journey to Stockholm postponed...

Folio 191: Finch to Harrington. (Separate B) Chetardie's journey to Stockholm postponed now Swedes have retired. Hopes of peace negotiated without his presence. Czarina will not cede territories but money may pass to gain peace from a losing aggressor. Mardefeld like me, had a grudging suspicion of a different advantage seems sure that no such expedient existed or will. Never prudent to reply on Prussian minister. Known to be a good Frenchman and a good Swede. Duke of Holstein's journey here postponed. If he came as a Lutheran the Greek Church would be affronted. If as a Greek, as he is heir to this Crown he could be a rival and eventually the first key in another revolution. If not, and Czarina not marrying and having children, he must renounce his hereditary dominions and his remote expectation of the crown of Sweden, which last, is incompatible with laws of Sweden, and the first, with the Golden Bull. The unfortunate infant may fare better if his parents behave well in the future. Silence from Prussia about recent revolution. Reassurances about young Duke of Holstein should help to allay Prussian mis-givings. Their reserve to me on the Treaty will certainly make your Lordship reflect. Conduct of Russia towards HM will depend on peace or war with Sweden. Commission on State Prisoners meets at Court Palace. Czarina constantly in tribune where she can see and hear everything without being seen. Count Osterman before this commission, three or four times, his defence being he had nothing to do with placing Anna on the throne; obliged only to submit to government as it existed. If he had done anything in favour of Elizabeth he would have appeared a traitor and been treated as a rebel. Czarina nettled at this plea, and as daughter of Peter the First is extremely provoked against him and Mengden. De la Chetardie continues to be first man here. Dated St Petersburg, 19 Dec 1741.