Add MS 6812

Volume IX of the papers of Mr. Andrew Mitchell. Subsequently Sir Andrew Mitchell.

Despatches from the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy] to Mr. Mitchell during July and August 1756.

1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The King [George II] is desirous, in case Russia, Austria, and France should proceed to hostilities, to concert immediately a system of mutual defence with the King of Prussia [Frederick II, alias Frederick the Great], but not actually to enter, at present, into a treaty. Heads of such a treaty. Remarks on the different powers of Europe, particularly Denmark and Spain, accompanied by several enclosures of correspondence. Dated Whitehall, 9 July 1756. (folio 1)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. (Private). Application to Mr. Bernsdorff whether Denmark, in case of the King’s German dominions being attacked, would furnish a body of troops in consideration of an annual subsidy. Dated Copenhagen, 22 March 1755. (folio 12)

ii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness, on the same subject. Proposal that a body of Danish troops should be engaged for the defence of Hanover. Dated Copenhagen, 25 March 1755. (folio 15)

iii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. (Private). On the same subject. Reply of the Danish Ministers to the application for Troops. Dated Copenhagen, 15 April 1755. (folio 17)

iv. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. The Danish Ministers only wait for an opening from the French Ambassador, to declare that His Danish Majesty [Frederick V] will not see the King of England’s dominions invaded, with indifference. Dated Copenhagen, 26 April 1755. (folio 21)

v. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. Account of a conference with Mr. Bernstorff, for negotiating a body of Danish troops for the defence of His Majesty’s kingdoms, in case of an attack. Dated Copenhagen, 6 May 1755. (folio 23)

vi. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. Refusal of the King of Denmark to enter into a convention to furnish troops. Dated [Copenhagen, 10 May 1755]. (folio 25)

vii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. Still on the same subject. Dated Copenhagen, 10 May 1755. (folio 27)

viii. (Enclosed). Project of a treaty between Great Britain and Denmark, for the furnishing of troops in case of attack. (folio 31)

ix. (Enclosed). Promemoria remis à S. E. M. de Bernstorff. Dated Copenhagen, 3 May 1755. (folio 38)

x. (Enclosed). Copie d’une lettre écrite à S. E. M. de Bernstorff. In Mr. Titley’s letter of 20 May 1755 on the same subject. Dated Copenhagen, 7 May 1755. (folio 40)

xi. (Enclosed). Copie d’une lettre écrite à S. E. M. de Bernstorff, in Mr. Titley’s of 20 May 1755, on the same subject of the treaty. Dated Copenhagen, 13 May 1755. (folio 43)

xii. (Enclosed). Copue d’une lettre de S. E. M. de Bernstorff in Mr. Titley’s of 20 May 1755. Merely acknowledgement of the receipt of the papers sent. Dated Copenhagen, 14 May 1755. (folio 46)

xiii. (Enclosed). Copie de la Reponse de S. E. M. de Bernstorff, remise le 18 Mau 1755. In Mr. Titley’s of 20 May 1755. Refusal to furnish troops. Dated Copenhagen, 17 May 1755. (folio 48)

xiv. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. Remarks on the state of the Court of Denmark, and politics. Dated Copenhagen, 27 May 1755. (folio 50)

xv. (Enclosed). Extracts of letters from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Titley, dated 18 April, 27 May, and 1 July 1755. Offer to take a body of Danish troops into the pay of Great Britain. Sketch of a convention. Instructions to hold the same language of friendship to the Court of Denmark, notwithstanding the offers have not been accepted. (folio 53)

xvi. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. On the same subject. Dated Copenhagen, 3 June 1755. (folio 59)

xvii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. Assurances of assistance from Denmark, in case any attack was made in Great Britain. Dated Copenhagen, 17 June 1755. (folio 61)

xviii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Titley to the Earl of Holderness. On the same subject. Dated Copenhagen, 12 July 1755. (folio 63)

xix. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from the Earl of Holderness to Colonel Yorke. The King of Prussia is willing to write with His Majesty in measures for the defence of the United Provicnes. Necessity to augment the troops of the Republic. Dated Whitehall, 9 July 1756. (folio 66)

xx. (Enclosed) Extract of Sir Benjamin Keene’s ‘Particular and Most Secret’ letter to Mr. Fox. Concern expressed by the Queen of Spain [Barbara], and King of Portugal [Joseph I], at the measures pursued by the Empress of Austria [Maria Theresa]. Dated Autigola, 8 June 1756. (folio 69)

xxi. (Enclosed). Extract of a secret letter from Sir Benjamin Keene to Mr. Fox. Favourable sentiments of the Courts of Spain, Naples, and Portugal towards Great Britain. Dated Autigola, 16 June 1756. (folio 71)

xxii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from the Earl of Bristol [George Hervey] to Mr. Fox. Sentiments of the Sardinian Court, at the treaty concluded between France and Austria. Dated Turin, 9 June 1756. (folio 75)

xxiii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Sir James Gray to Mr. Fox. Sentiments of the Court of Naples on the attack of Minorca by the French. Dated Naples, 4 May 1756. (folio 77)

xxiv. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Sir James Gray to Mr. Fox. Copies of the treaty between the Courts of Vienna and Versailles are presented to His Sicilian Majesty [Charles V] by the respective Ministers. Public consensus of it. Dated Naples, 15 June 1756. (folio 79)

xxv. (Enclosed). Copy of the Earl of Holderness’s letter to Colonel Yorke. Enclosing the draft of a memorial to be presented to the States, founded on the treaty of 1678, by which the States are bound to assist His Majesty. The marine treaty of 1674, insisted on by the Dutch in a manner detrimental to His Majesty’s interests, will no longer be observed than the diue fulfilment of the engagements of the treaty of 1678. Dated Whitehall, 6 July 1756. (folio 81)

xxvi. (Enclosed). Draft of a memorial. (In French). (folio 85)

xxvii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to the Earl of Holderness. Illness of the Great Chancellor [Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin], and advantage taken of it by the opposite party. The preparations for the march of troops have ceased. No steps are yet taken to support the King of Sweden [Adolf Frederick] against the senate. Dated St. Petersburg, 12 June 1756 [Gregorian Calendar]. (folio 88)

xxviii. (Encloses). Copy of a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to the Earl of Holderness. (Secret). Account of the proceeding of the spy Douglass, employed by the French at the Russian Court. The Chief argument made use of by the enemies of England is the non-payment of the £100,000 which Sir Charles proposes may be done. Dated St. Petersburg, 12 June 1756. (folio 91)

xxix. List of papers sent to Mr. Mitchell. 9 July 1756. (folio 94)

2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The military preparations making by the King of Prussia have alarmed the powers whose territories lie contiguous to his dominions. It is advised, therefore, these movements should be made with the utmost caution. Affairs in Holland have taken a more favourable aspect, occasioned by the Prussian Movements in the Duchy of Cleves. On the first appearance of a body of Prussian troops on the borders of the Rhine, they will be joined by His Majesty’s Hanoverian forces. Dated Whitehall, 13 July 1756. (folio 96)

i. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Lord Stormont [David Murray] to the Earl of Holderness. Intelligence forwarded to the Prussian Court by Count Gross, of the King of Prussia’s military preparations in Pomerania. Dated Dresden, 4 July 1756. (folio 100)

ii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Colonel York to the Earl of Holderness. (Private). Proceedings in Holland. Reports of Russia being in concert with France. Transactions in the Mediterranean. Dated The Hague, 9 July 1756. (folio 102)

iii. (Enclosed). Intelligence received from France. Association of the Catholic Princes of the Empire and of the circles forming by the Court of Vienna. State of finances in France and expenditure in ships. Progress in the siege of St. Philip. Dated Paris, 3 July 1756. (folio 105)[In reference to the above despatch, see the Private Correspondence of Lord Holderness]

3. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Acknowledgement of despatches received from him. Dated Whitehall, 23 July 1756. (folio 109)

4. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Reply of the King to the Memoiré Raisonné. The reason of His Majesty’s deferring for the present a new formal treaty of general defensive alliance with the King of Prussia, is from the hope still remaining of inducing the Czarina [Elizabeth] to enter into joint measures with England and Prussia. Caution to be taken in inducing the Ottoman Porte to receive a Prussian Ambassador. Designs of France at the Court of Manheim and Bonn. Dated Whitehall, 27 July 1756. (folio 111)

i. (Enclosed). Reponse relativè au Memoire Raisonné etc. (folio 116)

ii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Keith to the Earl of Holderness. Military preparations which indicate a war; but the Court of Vienna declares they will not be the aggressors. Conferences to procure new funds. Dated Vienna, 9 July 1756. (folio 118)

iii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Keith to the Earl of Holderness. Account of a conference with Count Keyserling, on the despatches communicated to him by order of the King. Sentiments of the Count on the conduct to be pursued towards the Court of St. Petersburg. Dated Vienna, 9 July 1756. (folio 121)

iv. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to the Earl of Holderness. Secret emissaries sent by the Vice Chancellor to The Hague and Paris. Dated St. Petersburg, 19 June 1756. (folio 125)

v. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to the Earl of Holderness. Account of conferences held with the Great Chancellor, on the steps taken in favour of the French by the opposite party. Dated St. Petersburg, 26 June 1756. (folio 127)

vi. (Enclosed). Extract of a private letter from Colonel Yorke to the Earl of Holderness. Sentiments of Count Golowkin, with respect to the measures of the Russian Court. Attempts to draw the Court into the part of the Vice-Chancellor. M. Bechtuof, Secretary of the latter, has been ordered to survey the coasts of Prussian Pomerania, and has strongly dissuaded a descent on them. Dated The Hague, 20 July 1756. (folio 130)

vii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Fox to Mr. Porter. Instructions to render assistance and advice to M. de Varenes, His Prussian Majesty’s agent at Smyrna. Dated Whitehall, 26 July 1756. (folio 132)

viii. (Enclosed). Intelligence from Compiegne. 17 July 1756. Orders have been sent to sound the sentiments of the Elector of Cologne, on the passage of a body of troops through the Electorate, and the Baron de Zuchmantel is endeavouring to persuade the Electress Palatine [Elisabeth Auguste?] to receive French Garrisons into Juliers and Dusseldorf. (folio 134)

5. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The King approved of the resolution of his Prussian Majesty to ask an explanation of the Court of Vienna, concerning the motives of the armament preparing by them. The views of Spain may be learnt from a letter of Sir Benjamin Keene, of which a copy is enclosed; to be communicated, under secrecy, to the King of Prussia. Dated Whitehall, 30 July 1756. (folio 136)

i. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Keith to the Earl of Holderness. Military preparations of Austria. Dated Vienna, 14 July 1756. (folio 138)

ii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Sir Benjamin Keene to Mr. Fox. (Most Secret). Sentiments of the Court of Spain towards Great Britain. The application to Naples to dissuade it from acceding to the treaty between Versailles and Vienna, has given offence at the Spanish Court. Doubts at Naples on the plan they shall adopt. Reports against the friendly views of Spain. Religion made the pretence of the treaty by France and Austria. Dated Madrid, 14 July 1756. (folio 140)

6, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Enclosing a private letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, from which it is argued that hopes of Russian are not yet desperate, unless the King of Prussia, by an attack on the Empress Queen [Maria Theresa], obliges the Czarina [Elizabeth] to take up arms, which measure is strongly dissuaded. As the French mean to appear with a powerful army on the border of the Empire, it becomes necessary that the King of Prussia should send a strong body of troops to cooperate with the Electorate forces of His Majesty. Dated Whitehall, 6 August 1756. (folio 150)

i. Enclosed. Copy of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams’s letter to the Earl of Holderness. (Private and Secret). Arguments used by Count Keyserling against the advances of Russia to the Court of Versailles. State of parties at St. Petersburg and regulations in the army and marine. Sentiments of the Great Chancellor. Dated St. Petersburg, 9 July 1756. (folio 154)

6, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Separate). Containing his Lordship’s despatch to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, and copies of letters to Vienna and Constantinople. Necessity of great caution in proceeding to negotiate with the Turks. Dated Whitehall, 6 August 1756. (folio 163)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Keith to the Earl of Holderness. Mode of raising money adopted by the Austrian Ministers. Military Preparations. The Court of Dresden is in treaty with Austria. Dated Vienna, 21 July 1756. (folio 166)

ii. (Enclose). Copy of a letter from Mr. Porter to Mr. Fox. Reports of the treaty between France and Austria. Changes at Constantinople. French trade in the Baltic. News from Persia. Dated Constantinople, 2 July 1756. (folio 169)

7, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Affairs in Russia not so desperate as believed by the King of Prussia. The troubles in Sweden and ascendancy of the French party will give the Great Chancellor an opportunity of overthrowing his enemies. Dissuasive arguments against any attack on the Empress Queen by the King of Prussia. Coalition of Prussian and Hanoverian troops to repel the French, as in a former letter. Dated Whitehall, 10 August 1756. (folio 173)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to the Earl of Holderness. Sentiments of the Great Chancellor, and of the Great Duke and Duchess [Peter and Catherine], on the transactions in Sweden. Dated St. Petersburg, 13 July 1756. (folio 179)

ii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Keith to the Earl of Holderness. Account of a conference with M. Klingraffe, the Prussian Minister, and audience held by that Minister with the Empress Queen, to desire an explanation of the military preparations making. Dated Vienna, 28 July 1756. (folio 183)

iii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Colonel Yorke to the Earl of Holderness. Professions of the Empress Queen on the motives of her military preparations transmitted to her Minister at The Hague. Dated The Hague, 6 August 1756. (folio 187)

7, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Separate). Nothing will be neglected by the King to wean the Court of Denmark from its engagements with France. Dated Whitehall, 10 August 1756. (folio 191)

8. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Orders have been sent to Mr. Titley to live on the most confidential footing with the Prussian Minister at Denmark and to endeavour to induce that Court to accede to the alliance between Great Britain and Prussia. Dated Whitehall, 17 August 1756. (folio 193)

9, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Enclosing copies of a letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams, and of his Lordship’s despatch to that Minister. Hopes of Russia, and repetition of former sentiments on the subject of an attack on the Empress Queen. Dated Whitehall, 20 August 1756. (folio 195)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams’s letter to the Earl of Holderness. State of affairs at the Russian Court, and favourable impressions towards Great Britain on the mind of the Empress. Dated St. Petersburg, 23 July 1756. (folio 198)

ii. (Enclosed). Copy of the Earl of Holderness’s letter to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. Defence of the King of Prussia’s conduct, in case he should attack the Empress Queen, on the belief that the Austrian forces are preparing against himself. Dated Whitehall, 20 August 1756. (folio 204)

9, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Separate and Secret). Inclosing a copy of the letter to Mr. Titley, and containing an account of a conversation held by his Lordship with M. de Rantzan, the Danish Minister. In case Prince Lewis [Louis] of Brunswick should not be able to accept the command of His Majesty’s forces in Germany, Mr. Mitchell is directed to apply for the King of Prussia’s consent, that Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick should be appointed Commander. Dated Whitehall, 20 August 1756. (folio 208)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of the Earl of Holderness’s letter to Mr. Titley. Instructions how to proceed in endeavouring to draw the Court of Denmark from its engagements from France. Dated Whitehall, 17 August 1756. (folio 212)

10. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Proceedings at the Russian Court. Orders sent to Mr. Klingraffe by the King of Prussia. State of the Dutch. Difficulty in procuring auxiliary troops in Germany. Intelligence from France. Dated Whitehall, 27 August 1756. (folio 216)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from the Earl of Holderness to Sir Benjamin Keene. Measures of the Court of Vienna, and defence of the King of Prussia. Dated Whitehall, 24 August 1756. (folio 221)

ii. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from Mr. Porter to Mr. Fox. The Porte will take no part in the present war. Dated Constantinople, 17 July 1756. (folio 225)

iii. (Enclosed). Translation of Intelligence from Compiegne, 13 August 1756. Dispositions of the French to march an army towards Westphalia. Insinuation made at Madrid against the Duke d’Albe, and M. Wall. Intrigues of the French at Amsterdam. Invasion of England laid aside. (folio 228)

11. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell is directed to give notice, constantly and regularly, to the Hanoverian Ministers of every event touching the Electoral dominions on the affairs of Germany. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 31 August 1756. (folio 231)