Folio 79. To Blathwayt. The elector, having gone for Vienna and Karlsbad 'lying out...

Folio 79. To Blathwayt. The elector, having gone for Vienna and Karlsbad 'lying out of the road of correspondence', he, Stepney, arrived at Leipzig yesterday, had hoped for orders to go either to Flanders or to Cassel, but Blathwayt's letter of the 12th s.n. contains nothing of these 'projects', the summer being too far advanced for him to go to the camp. The King has added to Friesen's commission to margrave Louis another one to the landgrave [Charles] of Hessen[-Cassel] with which he, Stepney, had hoped to be entrusted. Thus he is still waiting in Saxony, left in ignorance of how he will be 'disposed of', which he refers to Blathwayt's 'patronage', yet he sees no 'other footing' for himself in Germany, unless he returns to Vienna or goes to Ratisbon. Feels uneasy about Friesen's future unless the count submits to his master at Vienna. Refers to extracts of letters from Plantamour and Harrach to himself (sent to Blathwayt on May 21) and to his own two dispatches from Karlsbad of June 4 and 8 [Not entered here], which show how much the elector is 'incensed against him' [because of his continued absence]. He may charge him with desertion as an officer, with disobedience to his sovereign as a subject and with declining to give an account of his negotiations as an envoy. Fears that, at Schöning's instigation, the elector will try to reach Friesen, to 'show the world that princes have long arms', notwithstanding that the King has honoured him with a character to which the elector may object on account of not having discharged his officer. Thinks that Friesen has acted 'rashly' and against the advice of his friends, by hurrying to Vienna. Reuss is following the elector to offer his services as a volunteer to make the campaign with him in Hungary. Before leaving Karlsbad, the elector, persuaded by Schöning, has signed an order to the city council of Dresden declaring his resolution of placing in garrison there two battalions of foot guards consisting of 1,476 men, and a company of cadets, to have free quarters, and none of his servants, civil or military are exempt from providing billets. Observes: 'Without doubt the design of this order is to secure Schöning's person, & to hinder any disorder in the residence if the elector should miscarry in Hungary & so a change be made in the government'. This 'innovation' is much resented by both ministers and people who 'by having soldiers in their houses seem to lye at the mercy & discretion of a man whom they can neither love nor trust'. A city deputy, sent to make their 'remonstrances' with the elector will, he believes, be unsuccessful. P.S. Has had a letter from Friesen dated Frankfurt [June] 21 s.n. and one from Lexington of [June] 18 s.n. the P.S. of which reads: 'I have recd. an answer from Mr Blathwayt to which I have reply'd, so that it is not absolutely resolv'd you shall not come' [Underscored, Ms]. Hopes Lexington will clearly state his wish to have him there in which case he would ask for a credential as resident like [Johann Philipp] Hoffman has in England [Resident 1693-1724], which will not interfere with Lexington's character, but distinguish him from his secretaries.

Date and Place: 1694 June 14/24 Leipzig