Folio 54: Carteret to Wich. Naryskin reports his orders to inform HM that Czarina...

Folio 54: Carteret to Wich. Naryskin reports his orders to inform HM that Czarina intends to declare young Duke of Holstein her successor in Russia and therefore decline any offer of crown of Sweden for him. This is secret, to keep things in suspence while she promotes her other ideas, one of which is to settle Swedish succession in favour of Duke Administrator of Holstein, the Bishop of Lubeck and Eutin. First step she proposed was to send Buchwald to London where he would demand a Princess of England for the Duke Administrator, and desire HM's agreement in her scheme for procuring Crown of Sweden after present King of Sweden's death and if HM complied she would accept his mediation and give total exclusion to France. If the Election is determined in favour of the Administrator. Peace should be made easier for Sweden. Present Swedish ministry should be removed, the old re-established as they are friends to Russia and England. Czarina would shoulder half expenses. 40,000 roubles lodged in Amsterdam HM's answer was he would wait for Buchwald's arrival. He thought no Foreign Powers should interfere in domestic concerns of another government, especially in matter of succession. If Duke Administrator is known to be proposed by Czarina, Sweden could unit in favour of the French plan and secure the Crown to Duke of Deux-Ponts. who would be obliged to France for his election and therefore be the least desireable successor for the Czarina. HM thinks Administrator would be at a disadvantage because of his relatively new candidature and no linial connections. Our party in Sweden should be better formed. Plan for expelling present ministry agreed, but no steps needed for further remittance of money offered by Czarina. As for Secrecy, without receiving any communication of the plan regarding the Administrator from Russian sources it was heard here and at Berlin and Copenhagen, and a while ago the Czarina's intentions, i.e. Buchwald's visit to here and Stockholm were learnt from sources in France. Dated Whitehall, 26 Nov 1742.