Folio 1: Finch to Harrington. Warmest wishes to HM for New Year. Celebrations here....

Folio 1: Finch to Harrington. Warmest wishes to HM for New Year. Celebrations here. Enclosure of copy of case concerning Gross. Both Botta and Mardefeld gave opinions to Prince of Hesse and Bestuzev but I refrained from meddling. After interrogation this weak and melancholy man shot himself. Prince Lewis guarded like a criminal for six weeks in a room where it would be shameful to lodge a servant. He is still unsure when he will be allowed to set out. Mardefeld has orders from King of Prussia to assist Prince Lewis. The travellers are rumoured to have passed Riga, and are in Courland. Prince Lewis should not be detained much longer. Recent edict revoked titles and positions granted since late Russian sovereign's death, but application to new sovereign would confirm them again. Persons appointed for great Duchess will not be re-instated in same positions about [young] Duke of Holstein. He must renounce all claims to throne of Sweden when he comes here and France will no doubt wish to give Sweden to Duke of Deux Ponts (Zweibrucken) and Russia to [young] Duke of Holstein. Disposition of ranks. Lacey's state of health. Veselovski has joined Brevern in expedition of affairs. Negotiation expected. Commissary ordered at halfway place between both armies. Commission inhumane towards prisoners. Apparently private piques and personal revenge prevails. Count Osterman pleads guilty of all charges and all injustices more in private than public. Munnich accused of lying about seizure of late Duke of Courland. Dated St Petersburg, 2 Jan 1742.