Folio 87v. To Friesen. Refers to, and encloses copy of, a letter he had written from...

Folio 87v. To Friesen. Refers to, and encloses copy of, a letter he had written from Karlsbad, to Mme Schellenberg [Friesen's sister] in which he says he had angered the elector 'pour l'amour de vous' [Sic, Ms., but see f.89, infra]. Acknowledges three letters [dates not given], two from Camp d'Arsele and one from Frankfurt. Congratulates him on obtaining the mission to the landgrave of Hessen[-Cassel [in addition to that to the margrave of Baden] and on having the opportunity to establish 'bonne intelligence' between the two princes. To satisfy his own curiosity, asks for a copy of his instructions concerning his mission to the landgrave for which originally he, Stepney, had been chosen but which he does not begrudge him. Recipient ought to be able to hasten the payment to the landgrave of subsidies with which England is several months in arrear and for which he, Stepney, had made urgent representations to Shrewsbury, Blathwayt and Portland. The first two of them had raised hopes for [payment until] after the King's arrival in Holland. Warns him of the possible consequences of his having, at the instigation of his enemy [Schöning], incurred the elector [of Saxony's] intense displeasure and indignation [about having entered the King's service] notwithstanding the prevailing good relations between the King and the elector: he is to guard his steps. He, Stepney, is trying to mitigate the discord and has written to Lexington to that effect and to [Christoph August] Haxthausen. Asks that letters, etc., be sent to him care of Messrs. Jägers & Co. [merchants] at Leipzig.

Date and Place: 1695 June 16/26 Leipzig