Folio 178. To Francis Stratford. Has, at Stratford's request, ascertained the value...

Folio 178. To Francis Stratford. Has, at Stratford's request, ascertained the value of the presents received by [the late] Sir William Colt at the investiture of the elector of Saxony with the insignia of the knighthood of the Garter in Jan 1693: 2,000 rixdollars for chain and picture in diamonds and 600 rixdollars for plate (see List SP 105/84, f.209). The goldsmith who made them has as yet not been paid. He, Stepney will not offer the objects to the Saxon grand chamberlain for purchase, as there is no certainty of payment. - Asks why Stratford has not given him an account of the burning of [Robert] Molesworth's book [highly critical of Denmark]. He has asked Vernon to save him a copy, '& in return I have promised to send him some of this gentleman's letters on me and my friends to be recommended likewise to the hangman, since I am sure they deserve the same fate'. - Feels now 'something easier' at Dresden, as Trenchard has answered all his queries 'as to the allyance', consented to the 'presents' [i.e. pensions] he was to make jointly with Ham [to the elector's mistress and to the Saxon ministers], and passed his bill of extraordinaries, and had him reassured about Godolphin's readiness to proceed with the payment of the outstanding instalment of the English quota of subsidies to the elector. - The long delay in his letters to Cresset is the fault of the postmaster of Hanover 'who kept a whole basket of my letters by him near a month'. - Mentions a 'variance' between [William Douglas, third] duke of Hamilton and [James] Johnston [secretary of state in Scotland 1692-1696]. - Schöning was brought to Vienna on Jan 16/26 'late in the evening'; what they will do with him is as yet uncertain. Meanwhile the elector refuses to name commissioners to treat with him, Ham and Boineburg, who has been at Dresden ten days, until he has a positive answer about Schöning's liberty. - The elector and electoress have had 'a sharp falling out' and the former has put an end to his consort's receptions at her apartment twice weekly. They 'were the only recreation of her life'. Comments: 'After this stepp there is no other but a prison'. The elector's mistress is not pregnant.

Date and Place: 1694 Jan 22/Feb 1 Dresden