Folio 140: Wich to Carteret. Previous information about completing treaty appears...

Folio 140: Wich to Carteret. Previous information about completing treaty appears correct. Vice-Chancellor and Brevern at a conference last Tuesday evening, told me that Czarina had appointed them Plenipotentiaries to conclude the treaty and that if my instruments were prepared they would get theirs ready and sign them finishing as I desired before leaving for St Petersburg. Swedes not yet at Abo and when they hear of the Duke of Holstein changing his religion and being successor to this Empire, they may change their plans. Russian court fears rupture with Persia. Shah Nadyr gathering large force at Derbent and several Russian regiments ordered to march to Astrakan. General Keith given order of St. Andrew to persuade him to stay in Czarina's service, but I think he will retire from service. If all the foreign officers leave this country, the Russian army will not cut the same figure in the world as previously they have done. The fleet is in a very bad condition without a single good officer. Dated Moscow, 9 Dec 1742.