Folio 77v. To Blathwayt. Refers again to Limbach's letter to himself, but finds that...

Folio 77v. To Blathwayt. Refers again to Limbach's letter to himself, but finds that the precedents ['Presidents', Ms] given by Limbach copies of which he encloses [Not included here] 'do not reach our point'. Delegates like [Louis] Verjus [France] and [Esaias von] Pufendorf [Denmark] were plenipotentiaries and both their masters had something to say in the deliberations of the diet, whilst the credentials exhibited by [Johann Hugo von] Lente [Denmark] and [Detlef Nicolas] Piper [Denmark] referred to their employment in the college of princes 'by reason of the king of Denmark's title to Holstein', and [Georg Friedrich] Snoilsky [Sweden] 'by reason of the king of Sweden's possession of Bremen'. Thinks, however, that Limbach's advice that he, Stepney, should obtain a letter from The King to prince Lobkowitz, the Emperor's chief commissioner at Ratisbon, should be followed up: he would be acknowledged 'as a public person'. Limbach further predicts that there would be nothing of moment transacted at Ratisbon in the next three months, thereafter 'the introduction [Meaning obscure] & a peace' would be deliberated, when it will be necessary for the King to have a minister at Ratisbon. Letters from Vienna suggest 'some action in Hungary, the two armyes being almost in the same posture as they were two years ago before the battle of Szlankemen'.-Schöning has contacted him by way of a 'compliment' and wishes to visit him pretending that he has sent him three messages which were never delivered. Has followed Blathwayt's advice not to show 'too great coldness' towards him and sent him a non-commital 'fair' compliment. Believes that Schöning has learnt of Stepney's intended departure and of his possibly seeing the King at Loo, thus 'he is willing I should at least not speak ill of him'.

Date and Place: 1694 Aug 31 [i.e. Aug 31/Sept] Dresden