Folio 81: Finch to Harrington. Czarina informed during examination of State prisoners...

Folio 81: Finch to Harrington. Czarina informed during examination of State prisoners that I gave the last government the first intelligence of her scheme against it, which she says would never have succeeded if they had been wise enough to make use of it, but acknowledged my attachment to the regent as very natural. If this information of any importance to HM my reason for not transmitting it earlier as I could have done was so not as to appear to wish hastening my revocation. Present government does not appear settled. If anyone has sense enough to see how infamously duped they are in such a short while, not one has courage enough to tell Czarina who is governed only by Passion, Prejudice and Revenge and who listens only to de la Chetardie who with all his pretended service to her, wishes only to destroy her country. The continuence of war is certain. Mardefeld approached about Prussian King's consent to a new election in Courland favouring Prince of Hesse Homburg; de la Chetardie in favour of Count de Saxe. Dated St Petersburg, 6 Feb 1742.