Add MS 6816

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

Despatches from the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy] to Mr. Mitchell from January to December 1758.

1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Enclosing the King [George II]’s letter of notification to the King [Frederick II, alias Frederick the Great] and Queen [Elisabeth Christine] of Prussia, of the death of the Princess Caroline. Dated Whitehall, 3 January 1758. (folio 1)

2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Success of the King of Prussia’s arms. Notices of correspondence. Dated Whitehall, 10 January 1758. (folio 3)

3. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Some secret intelligence is transmitted. Dated Whitehall, 12 January 1758. (folio 5)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of Intelligence. France has no intention of making peace. State of the Empress Queen [Maria Theresa]’s army since the battle of the 5th. Disappointment felt at the march of the army of observation, and complaints of Marechal Richelieu. Measures taken to recruit the French troops and fleet. Disposition of the people in Holland towards the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated Paris, 24 December 1757. (folio 7)

4. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Notices of correspondence. Dated Whitehall, 24 January 1758. (folio 11)

5. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Transmission of some secret Intelligence. Dated Whitehall, 27 January 1758. (folio 13)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of Intelligence. State of the Imperial and French armies, and conference of Count Kaunitz with the French Minister at Vienna, on the means of recruiting the former. Quarrel between Prince Charles of Lorraine and Marechal Daun. Probability of the march of French troops into the rest of the Pais-Bas. (In cypher). Dated Versailles, 3 January 1758. (folio 15)

6. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. News of a new treaty between the Courts of Vienna and Versailles having been signed. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 3 February 1758. (folio 19)

7. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Acknowledgement of letters received; inclosing despatches from Mr. Porter. Dated Whitehall, 14 February 1758. (folio 21)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Porter to Mr. Pitt. Account of proceedings at the Ottoman Porte. Offer of mediation between England and France. Mr. Porter endeavours, without success, to induce the Turks to make advances to the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated Constantinople, 22 December 1757. (folio 23)

ii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Porter to Mr. Pitt. Further attempts to induce the Porte [Ottoman Empire] to enter into a treaty with the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated Constantinople, 22 December 1757. (folios 29 and 33)

iii. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Porter to Mr. Pitt. Transactions at the Porte. News received of the Prussians being beaten by Prince Charles of Lorraine before Breslau. (In cypher). Dated Constantinople, 23 December 1757. (folio 39)

8. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. His Majesty has determined to send Major General Yorke as Minister to the King of Prussia, and Mr. Mitchell is ordered to prepare to return to England. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 17 February 1758. (folio 45)

9, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Enclosing a long despatch with a translation in French, to be communicated to the King of Prussia. Dated Whitehall, 25 February 1758. (folio 47)

i. (Enclosed). Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. A declaration is directed to be made to the King of Prussia, that it is not possible for His Majesty to send a body of British troops on the continent. Concern of the King at the refusal of the King of Prussia to enter into a Convention. A categorical answer is to be required on this point. Necessity of reinforcement from Prussia to the King’s army under Prince Ferdinand. The King thinks Mr. Mitchell has been deficient in attention to His Majesty’s service in acquiescing in an idea that the present system in England shows a lukewarmness to the affairs of the continent. Statement of the exertions made by the King in support of the King of Prussia. Impossibility of sending a squadron to the Baltic whilst the three northern powers remain united. Intention of His Majesty to send a Minister to Stockholm. Dated Whitehall, 25 February 1758. (folio 49)

ii. (Enclosed). Traduction de a Lettre du Comte Holderness à Mr. Mitchell, en daté la 25 Fevrier 1758. (folio 56)

iii. (Enclosed). Articles principaux du Nouveau Traité entre L’Imperatrice Reine, et Sa Mejesté Tres Chretienne. (folio 64)

9, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Separate). The object of Colonel Campbell’s mission to Stockholm was known before he left London, and means were found to frustrate the views of it. Dated Whitehall, 25 February 1758. (folio 67)

10. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Enclosing the King’s letter of revocation, and re-credentials to the King and Queen of Prussia . A Man of War will be sent to Stade to receive Mr. Mitchell on board in case the ordinary route by Holland should be intercepted. Dated Whitehall, 16 March 1758. (folio 69)

11. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. It is His Majesty’s pleasure Mr. Mitchell should continue as Minister, and resume the correspondence. The revocation and re-credentials are to be sent back. Dated Whitehall, 11 May 1758. (folio 71)

12. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The court goes into mourning for the death of the Prince of Prussia [Augustus William]. The attack on the coast of Brittany under the Duke of Marlborough [Charles Spencer] has failed. Resolutions to reinforce the troops under the command of Prince Ferdinand by a body of English cavalry. Congratulations on the victory obtained by Prince Ferdinand on the 23rd inst. Dated Whitehall, 27 June 1758. (folio 73)

13. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The body of English cavalry to reinforce Prince Ferdinand has sailed. Lord Howe’s fleet, and troops under General Bligh, is at the back of the Isle of Wight, waiting for some of the transports. News expected from America. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 1 August 1758. (folio 75)

14. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Situation of the army of Prince Ferdinand, and progress of the French. The King’s uneasiness at the order given by the King of Prussia to send back the small body of Prussian Cavalry serving the in the army under Prince Ferdinand. A strong representation on this head is directed to be made to the King of Prussia. Dated Whitehall, 2 August 1758. (folio 79)

15. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. News of the landing of General Bligh’s troops on the coast of France, and capture of Cherbourg. Dated Whitehall, 11 August 1758. (folio 83)

16. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Surrender of Louisbourg. Dated Whitehall, 18 August 1758. (folio 85)

17. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Failure of General Abercrombie in the attack on the French Camp on Lake Champlain. Death of Lord Howe. Dated Whitehall, 22 August 1758. (folio 87)

18, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Letters from Holland state the King of Prussia to have marched in person to take the command of General Dohna’s army. General Bligh, having demolished the fortifications at Cherbourg, reimbarks his troops for necessaries. The fleet has again sailed. Dated Whitehall, 25 August 1758. (folio 89)

18, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Most Secret). The receipt of the overtures mentioned in Mr. Mitchell’s letter of the 31st of July, has given great satisfaction. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 25 August 1758. (folio 91)

19, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Congratulations on the King of Prussia’s victory. The King seems satisfied with the relation of the affair contained in Mr. Mitchell’s letter of the 26th. Dated Whitehall, 12 September 1758. (folio 93)

19, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Apart). The King allows Mr. Mitchell his extraordinary expenses. Dated Whitehall, 12 September 1758. (folio 95)

i. (Enclosed). Extract of a letter from General Yorke to the Earl of Holderness. Preparations for war among the Turks, as related by the Dutch Ambassador at the Ottoman Porte, Baron Hochepied. Dated The Hague, 8 September 1758. (folio 97)

19, part 3. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Separate). The King approves of the manner in which the Instructions concerning His Prussian Majesty’s intentions of withdrawing the body of his cavalry from the King’s army, have been executed. The King of Prussia desists at present from his resolution. Military turn of affairs at Constantinople. Dated Whitehall, 12 September 1758. (folio 99)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of a letter from Mr. Porter to Mr. Pitt. Orders of the Grand Seignor [Mustafa III?] to rebuild the Palace of Adrianople. Preparations of a warlike nature. Dated Constantinople, 15 June 1758. (folio 101)

19, part 4. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Most Secret) The King’s satisfaction at the reply of the King of Prussia to the hints thrown out, to sound his sentiments towards a peace. Resolution of the King to maintain the alliance by making a common cause in war and peace. Dated Whitehall, 12 September 1758. (folio 103)

20. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Admiration at the King of Prussia’s success in executing the project formed by him. Arguments to induce the King of Prussian not to recall his cavalry from Prince Ferdinand. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 19 September 1758. (folio 105)

21. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The King has approved of the letter written by Mr. Mitchell to Mr. Keith. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 6 October 1758. (folio 108)

22. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Acknowledgement of letters received. The King regrets the loss of Marshal Keith and Prince Francis of Brunswick. Dated Whitehall, 24 October 17578. (folio 110)

23. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Success of the expedition under Colonel Bradstreet in America. Dated Whitehall, 31 October 1758. (folio 112)

24. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The King resolves to continue the same pecuniary assistance to the King of Prussia for the year 1759, which has been already given. (In cypher). Dated Whitehall, 7 November 1758. (folio 114)

25, part 1. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. The session of Parliament is opened by Commissioners, on account of the King’s indisposition. The speech to both Houses, and address and Resolution of the Lords and Commons are enclosed. Dated Whitehall, 24 November 1758. (folio 116)

25, part 2. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Ill health of his Lordship for some days. Insinuation on the part of France towards a peace, and reply of His Majesty. Dated Whitehall, 24 November 1758. (folio 118)

26. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. Treaty between His Majesty and the King of Prussia. Dated Whitehall, 3 December 1758. (folio 120)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of the Convention between His Majesty and the King of Prussia, concluded and signed at London, 7 December 1758. (folio 122)

27. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. His Lordship has received the King’s permission to try the Bath waters for relief of his health. Dated Whitehall, 12 December 1758. (folio 126)

28. Letter from the Earl of Holderness to Mr. Mitchell. (Separate). Pretensions of the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel [William VIII], and terms offered by His Majesty to M. de Hardenberg, the Landgrave’s Minister. Mr. Mitchell is directed to support the representations of M. de Knyphausen to the King of Prussia, on the subject. Dated Whitehall, 15 December 1758. (folio 128)

i. (Enclosed). Copy of Baron Knyphausen’s letter to Baron Hardenberg. On the claims of the Landgrave. Dated London, 29 September 1758. (folio 130)