L29/560/9

Keith, Vienna to Grantham (Copy, Most Secret and Confidential) Reports a private conversation with the Emperor in the Augarten on 19th August. Emperor asked who Harris's successor would be at St Petersburg. Keith replied that he believed Harris would remain. The Emperor praised Harris's qualities and discussed the situation in Russia as regards the Czarina. He described her as a "Princess of distinguished Genius; but She cannot do everything. Whoever has to deal with her must never lose sight of her Sex, not forget that a Woman sees things, and acts, differently from one of our Sex...the only way to keep well with her is ...to give her way in matters of little consequence to render every necessary refusal as palatable as possible". He feels it is a misfortune for the Empress in not having a person around her able to restrain her. Count Osterman does nothing. M. Besberodoff "an upstart; he was a low scribe, a mere Interpreter under M. de Romantzone" and knows nothing of the "great Scale of Politicks". He hasn't the firmness to influence the Empress. Keith asked "has not Empress Prince Potenkin as a counsellor since the disgrace of Count Panin?". Emperor replied that Potenkin is a "very insufficient Counsellor". In politics Potemkin's weight and influence have never been "what the world imagined". The Empress could not easily get rid of Potenkin even if she wanted to.

19 Oct 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Keith, Robert Murray,
Harris, James,
Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia,
Osterman,
Besberodoff,
de Romantzone,
Potemkin, Prince,
Panin

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, general politics, general gardens, scribe, interpreter, general royalty, Vienna, St.Petersburg, Russia