Folio 147: Memorial by the Sicilian Abbot for Newcastle's perusal. He belives Prussia...

Folio 147: Memorial by the Sicilian Abbot for Newcastle's perusal. He belives Prussia attacked Austria after consultation with France; France also urged Spain and Bavaria to press their claims on Austria; French plans and aims to dismember the Austrian dominions, obtain [Belgium], put a Spanish prince on the Dutch throne and cause the Swedes to make war on Russia. Maria Theresa was able to inspire the support of her Hungarian subjects, and disunity amongst the Allies permitted the Austrians to attack successfully; Spanish attack in Italy could not be mounted quickly enough to draw off Austrian forces; British subsidies helped Austria, and Hanover's potential threat kept Maillebois' army and forces of Cologne and Palatinate in a defensive position. Preparations for new Allied offensives and strength of Allied armies. Discontent in France because of imposition of heavy taxes and indifference of the Crown to the conditions of famine and destitution amongst the people; frustrated ambition for promotion of officers; Fleury jealous of retaining his authority surrounds himself with persons of inferior ability and lacks resolution to pursue an aggressive foreign policy; prospect of rivalry and disunity when Fleury goes, and undue influence of women in the French Court. Lack of contact between Spanish Court and the people; predominating rôle of the Queen and selling of government appointments, often to Italians from Parma; disorder of the finances, arrears of pay and failure of Crown to pay debts has occasioned bankruptcies; disadvantages of selling licences to trade with the Americas; poll tax had to be abondoned for fear of insurrection at a time when a large part of the Spanish army is out of the country, while the Church has refused to pay the tax levied on it; Philip V's successor is likely to reverse Spanish policy and ally with Austria and Britain. Recommends that Britain support Austria financially and militarily by sending a large army into the Austrian Netherlands, thus compelling France to hold back troops from other theatres, and obtain the active alliance of Holland; suggestions for a manifesto to be issued by Austria; importance of gaining Savoy for the alliance; danger of France and Spain achieving conquests in Italy; recommends subsidies for Savoy, suggests recruitment of Swiss mercenaries, recommends that the British navy should play an active rôle in interrupting Spanish communications with Italy and possibly forcing Don Carlos to withdraw his troops by threatening to bombard Naples; Neapolitan discontent at high taxes, particularly the clergy who have partly lost their former exemption; a naval blockade of Naples would effectively drive up prices and might provoke riots against Don Carlos. Russia's interests threatened by French antagonism to Russia and French understanding with Turkey, and potential support for Sweden. A strong Austria and an Austrian Emperor would again provide Russia with a powerful ally and restraint on Prussia and Saxony not to ally militarily with Sweden against Russia. Recommends that Russia and Hanover should both attack Prussia, for if `that Prince...increases in power he will be dangerous to all his neighbours' particularly when manipulated and aided by France. The Poles should be allowed to choose their own King subject to approval of the Anglo-Austrian bloc. Recommends that France should be invaded and reduced in size; Savoy should be assisted to seize Franche Comté. Spanish popular discontent with burden of foreign expeditions made to secure territory not for Spain, but rather for the Queen's sons. Suggests the King of Portugal might advance forces to the frontier and issue a manifesto offering support for the Spanish people against their government. Recommends that Prussian Guelders and Cleves should be attacked. Warns Britain against being deceived by Fleury's conciliatory words, and to force France to concede by threatening her from Flanders.