Folio 81v. Stepney to Nottingham. Finds that it was indeed the passage 'que Sa Majeste...

Folio 81v. Stepney to Nottingham. Finds that it was indeed the passage 'que Sa Majeste appuyera son design autant qu'il peut' in Nottingham's letter to Bruynincx of Jan 10/20 (see preceding entry) which was shown personally to margrave Louis of Baden, which caused misunderstanding in that it gave rise to 'generall hopes either for money or troops' and which Bruynincx now says he had solicited Nottingham on behalf of the margrave before Stepney's arrival. But he, Stepney, has since 'undeceived' the imperial ministers by word of mouth and the margrave by letter. Since the arrival of Heemskerck's letters, on Feb 28, 'magnifying' the preparations by the Turks, 'strong reports' persist of margrave Louis being 'countermanded for Hungary'. They underline that the Emperor has no other generals to whom he can entrust the command of his army: prince Croy being 'uncapable of such a charge after dinner'; Heissler, besides being employed as commissary for the army, having already been unfortunate, 'which is enough utterly to destroy' his reputation with the Turks 'who hold predestination'; and general Mansfeld being unpopular with all ranks. Though the ministers do not mention any other disposition concerning the margrave's service, Stepney hopes the court will not be so 'fickle' in their resolutions. But he has enlisted the services of the Spanish ambassador as confidential informant concerning any remarks by privy councillors 'which may give the least suspicion of such a design'. Yet, he does not discount the possible inclinations of the margrave who may after his visits to circles, magazines and armies, be dissatisfied with their condition. Speculates, in view of the 'panick fear' of some ministers, on the effect of such a move on the Turks: it may 'give the French ambassador at the Port to[o] naturall an occasion of magnifying to the Turks the diversion which his master makes in the Empire'. Mentions a secret message from Heemskerck for the Emperor only: Bruynincx had a private audience yesterday for which he had been 'begging' for the last eighteen days. Grote has returned to Vienna to persuade the Emperor to exert his authority against the princes that are forming a third party under the pretence of their dislike of the ninth electorate and to hasten the admission of his principal to the electoral college 'as a necessary consequence after the investiture'. But there does not seem to be any haste about it. [John Christopher von] Limbach who had already orders to repair to Ratisbon, is not in any hurry to take himself into the 'heat of the diet'. Nottingham should now have received a letter from Robinson [at Stockholm] reporting that the King of Sweden had, on Feb 8, written to congratulate the new elector which, at Vienna, 'gives great satisfaction as it must needs cause discontent in Denmark'.- Sternberg has returned from Dresden and reported to the Emperor.- Brenner has on Mar 16 left for the courts of Brunswick-Lüneburg. [Nicholas Bartholomew] Danckelmann, returned from Berlin, has confirmed that the elector of Brandenburg is about to agree with the Emperor about furnishing 6,000 men for service in Hungary in the new campaign. They will consist of the 'poor remains' of the body which, commanded by general [Hans Albrecht von] Barfus two years ago, distinguished itself in the battle of Szlankamen, recruits and others drawn out of garrisons. Their commander is to be the [Brandenburg] general [William von] Brandt, assisted mainly by 'fresh' officers, since the former ones have asked to be excused from returning to Hungary 'after what they suffered there'. The conditions on which the elector has granted 'this new sacrifice' are not known nor has the treaty yet been 'perfected' Believes the Danes will be 'persuaded' to stay in Hungary.- The Münster troops who marched homewards have entered Coblentz 'and will be recruited to 4,000 upon the assignations the Emperor has given that prelate for the same quarters as were allowed him at Bremen and other parts of Westphalia'.

Date and Place: 1693 Mar 8/18 Vienna