Folio 81: Wich to Carteret. Prince Cerkasskoi died the day his favourable recovery...

Folio 81: Wich to Carteret. Prince Cerkasskoi died the day his favourable recovery was reported. His death concealed until Inquisitor General and Czarina's Private Secretary seized and sealed up all his papers and effects. Loss of good friend to England. Vice-Chancellor announced Czarina's intention to give me private audience about the accession and doubted not that he would return the same answer concerted and agreed with the late Great Chancellor but Bestuzev replied in some confusion that a few alterations had been made in the answer to be given in Czarina's name. Next day at 9 am, count Santi Master of Ceremonies invited me to an audience at eleven am. Indexed, at which I was amazed at the great difference of what was agreed by the late Great Chancellor. Bestuzev much embarrassed but an audience no place for my expostulations. Told him sorry to find little to depend on in Russian promised. His lame excuse ended sying he had not enough power to manage things as he would like and that when Mardefeld hinted that he had a project of an Act of Accession from Berlin the Czarina wanted to see it to have clarification of acceding to the Treaty. This shows timidity of Bestuzev and his lack of influence with Czarina. Copies of my address and answer from Vice-Chancellor given to Botta and Mardefeld and told the latter that Czarina expected to receive those clarifications mentioned in the answer. Swedish Captain Drentell arrived day Prince Cerkasskoi died and his dispatches delivered to Czarina the contents of these kept secret, but reliable source says Nilken made Secretary of State and Gedda, Chancellor of Swedish Court; appointed ministers Plenipotentiaties by King of Sweden to treat for peace with Russia and are actually en route for Finland. Post vacant of Great Chancellor may be filled by Count Gelovin, only one qualified at this court. Account of ceremony of Baptism and succession of Great Duke of Russia. Dated Moscow, 8 Nov 1742.

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