Folio 115: St. Paul to Rochford. Aiguillon was alarmed at Russian warlike preparations,...

Folio 115: St. Paul to Rochford. Aiguillon was alarmed at Russian warlike preparations, presumed to be against Sweden. The empress [of Russia] was under the thumb of the king of Prussia and Panin's assurances were worthless as he is a cipher. He blamed Britain for neglecting the affairs of the North. St. Paul is reliably informed that France has made a treaty of subsidy with Sweden, which gives her money, it attacked, but no military or naval support [see f.79]. The displeasure shown by Vergennes and the Spanish minister [see f.111] arose because the king of Sweden was reluctant to grant them the grandes entrées at the lever. Negotiations at Bucharest have ended and hostilities have begun. Orders have been given in Spain `to complete the army'. At Versailles du Barry is trying to unseat Monteynard for opposing the irregular preferment in the army of persons whom she protects. Aiguillon is joining with her. They want du Flesselles, intendant of Lyon, to replace him. There is rivalry between Aiguillon, La Vrilliere and Terray over the composition of the household of the comte d'Artois.

Date and place: 1773 Mar 24 Paris.