Folio 32: Finch to Harrington. de Swart has executed the instructions sent to him...

Folio 32: Finch to Harrington. de Swart has executed the instructions sent to him by States General and is pressing Count Osterman for notice of further steps being taken. De la Chetardie insists on delivering credentials to young monarch personally. Have suggested no distinction be granted to France above others, especially Great Britain. All others had delivered their credentials to Regent without difficulty and France should not have the sole perogative or it might appear as a pre-eminence of that crown. Difficulties of prince's lineage. Regent and husband have aversion to de la Chetardie. He may not long be here. General Botta, Count Lynar and myself think it will be to the interest of our respective courts to break relations with Versailles. We try to maintain dignity of Generalissimo, allowing no French minister to regulate proceedings or ceremonial. Golovkin desires a full power for de Swart. Contagion at Stolpe other side of Danzig-necessary to have quarantine precautions at the port. Dated St Petersburg, 9 May 1741.