Folio 91. To Portland. Gives an account of his two consecutive and entirely unsuccessful...

Folio 91. To Portland. Gives an account of his two consecutive and entirely unsuccessful audiences of the elector at Karlsbad at which he tried to plead with the elector to cede Friesen to the King. The elector showed himself 'extremement irrité' by the attitude of the count who was his subject, his major-general and his envoy. Not only had Friesen refused to obey his two orders to return to Dresden, but he had also returned his commission as an officer in a manner which indicated little respect. Upon representing that Friesen would follow the elector to Vienna to make his submission, the elector replied that he would not believe the King would do himself disservice by having somebody who fails in his duty to give an account of his conduct.- Refers to the bond given by the bishop of Würzburg to the late Lieut-gen [Johann Theobaldt von] Weib[e]num [who had been governor of the city and province of Breda] the original of which [Willem von] Schuylenburg [councillor and greffier at the Hague] had sent him, Stepney. [See List SP 105/83, ff.88v-92]. Asks for instructions how to dispose of what is due to the King under the terms of the bond [in 20,000 rixdollars]. Points out that the King is not particularly obliged to use the money for subsidies to the elector of Saxony within the next two years during which the Saxon troops will be employed in Hungary. The money might perhaps be used for the benefit of Friesen. Describes in some detail the intrigues of Schöning who is not going to Hungary, but is after a seat and vote on the privy council of the elector during the latter's absence [in Hungary] which runs counter to the 'revers', given by the elector to the Emperor, that he was to employ his field-marshal nec in civilibus nec in militaribus [Underscored, Ms] which is also clearly reflected in the treaty made by Boineburg last year.- Speculates on the position count Reuss, a 'Feldzeugmeister' [i.e. master of ordnance, or general of artillery] may occupy under the elector, whose displeasure he is said to have incurred, having amused himself at Teplitz during his master's stay at Karlsbad. [Corrected draft].

Date and Place: 1695 June 19/29 Leipzig