L30/14/176/8

Sent from Berlin 16 May 1772, received 5 June:

1772

From: 1772 To: 1772

Letter, 3 sides written in code, deciphered by Grantham. Confusion re letters sent. "I will not name Madame Viry, my sentiments for her are unbecoming a Christian and I ought to stifle them". Company in Berlin is dull, "without one single person in it you can depend on, no one you can even venture to joke ingenuously with, much less open your heart too...". Sends compliments to Guzman, Roxas, Manuel Retto Hermoso. [In Code:] "The News of the Cessation of Arms being agreed to betwixt the Turks and the Russians and the Appointment of respective Ambassadors from the two Courts to assemble at the Congress to be held at Jassy the beginning of next month, has undoubtedly reached your Ears; it is not less true that the Conclusion of a Peace may be looked upon as certain, and that it will be effected by the belligerent Powers themselves without the Intervention of any mediating one. Some say Russia yields everything to the Porte on receiving a large sum of money, Others that she insists upon the Independency of the Crimean Tartars, and the Navigation on the Black Sea. Whatever may be her demands She is sustained in them by this Court and that of Vienna, who in spite of a Convention made with the Turks last July which almost amounts to an Alliance, and of her Menaces a few Months ago, now not only quietly submits to, but actually facilitates the Views of both Russia and Prussia. This change of Language from that Quarter took Place in February, and I believe was then as unexpected to these two Courts as it is still inexplicable to all Europe. Things at that Time wore the Appearance of an immediate Rupture. The King of Prussia refused giving up his design upon Polish Prussia and the Empress Queen was as firm on her Side in protesting that she would never suffer the disturbance of Poland or the aggrandisement of her native Enemy in any Degree. She counteracted in everything the Prussian Minister at the Porte, and by the great Influence She has there prevented a Congress taking place, altho' the Turks themselves have been a long time dispos'd to come into one. Whether private animosities betwixt the Favourites of the Queen, or those of the Emperor, or whether she saw the impossibility of opposing all the united Powers of Russia and Prussia, since the Confederates or even the Turks could scarce be called Assistants, induced her to moderate her tone, I leave for deeper Speculators in Politics than I am to Determine. It is certain she no longer opposes their Measures, and accepts as the only one she can get, a Share of the Spoils which are to be divided on the Conclusion of the Peace. This Division it is said and I believe authentically, gives to the King of Prussia all Polish Prussia, except Dantsick and Thorn. To the House of Austria the Palatinate of Sendomir and of Zips; and [There follows one line of undeciphered code, then in code]:"Russia after the Confederates are brought to Seventy is to maintain her Preponderance in Poland, and the present King to remain on the Throne. You see at once who is the Lion in this Partition and what an immense Acquisition His Prussian Majesty makes without drawing the Sword. This He owes to his Oeconomy, to the tremendous Army he has on Foot, and above all to the wonderful Art with which he has conducted this affair by infatuating two Empresses, for nothing can be as contrary to the natural interests of both as his Aggrandisement in the Shape it now is to take Place. What effect this event may have in the other parts of Europe I cannot pretend to say. Prince Thaunitz has help'd the Court of France in the Dark, and of course some ill blood will be created there. The Dutch and we are quiet, and I am inclined to think that no one will cry out till he actually feels the Pain. In short having thus cursorily given you a Sketch of all I know I will spare my Reflections, your own will be much better. [End of Code.] Glad to hear that Grantham has a house which pleases him, in a good part of Madrid. "I think you have done quite right in taking Sir James Grays house....". Mentions Munro and Bransenburgh. Spanish wines popular in Berlin. "False and scandalous reports of the Secretary of the Embassy". "I am told he had a kind of penchant for Madame Sonnet. I think an Andalusian lass no bad thing - what says your Lordship?" Harris well accommodated, but misses his good servant Beglie, now with Grantham.

item

Viry,
Gray, James,
Munro,
Sonnet,
Harris,
Beglie,
Frederick II

Berlin, Russia, Prussia, ROYALTY, Madrid, wine, Secretary of the Embassy, servant