Add MS 6824

Volume XXI of the papers of Mr. Andrew Mitchell.

Letters from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams at St. Petersburg, to Mr. Mitchell, with copies of some despatches to the Earl of Holderness [Robert Darcy], 1756 and 1757.

1. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Situation of affairs at the Russian Court. Treaty with Prussia. Congratulations of Mr. Mitchell’s nomination to Berlin. Dated St. Petersburg, 5 June, New Style [Gregorian Calendar] 1756. (folio 1)

2. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Intrigues of Douglass at the Court of Russia. Information requested on various points. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 15 June 1756. (folio 3)

3. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. (Propria manu). The reports of his being on a bad footing with the Great Chancellor [Alexey Bestuzhev-Ryumin] are false, and to be contradicted. Dated St. Petersburg, 9 July 1756. (folio 7)

4. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Nothing to be feared this year from the Russian forces. Report of the King of Prussia [Frederick II, alias Frederick the Great]’s having offered to put Denmark in possession of the Duchy of Holstein Kiel. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 31 July 1756. (folio 9)

5. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Report of a Prussian Minister coming to St. Petersburg, offer of services to the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 7 August 1756. (folio 11)

6. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Dilatory nature of the Russian Court. Willingness to obey the King [George II]’s orders in relation to the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 10 August 1756. (folio 13)

7. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Hopes that the King of Prussia will not begin hostilities. In that case, Russia would assist the Empress Queen [Maria Theresa]. Sentiments of the Porte [Ottoman Empire] on the treaty between France and Austria. Affairs changed for the better. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 4 September 1756. (folio 15)

8. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Declaration of M. Klinggraff to the Court of Vienna. Sir Charles Williams contradicts the assertion of an offensive treaty having been colluded between the Courts of Vienna and St. Petersburg. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 7 September 1756. (folio 18)

9. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. On the same topic. Proposals to send a Prussian Minister to Petersburg not received. Councils held how to assist the Empress Queen. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 14 September 1756. (folio 20)

10. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles Williams laments he was not sooner acquainted with the sentiments of the Court of Berlin. The Empress of Russia [Elizabeth] declines acting as mediator between Prussia and Austria, and will fulfil her engagements to the latter. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 18 September 1756. (folio 22)

11. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles Williams desires he may have credit for 10,000 ducats, to execute the wishes of the King of Prussia. March of Russian troops. Feldt-Marshal Apraxin is to command the Livonian army. Anecdotes illustrative of the sentiments of the Court. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 26 September 1756. (folios 24 and 26)

12. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Complaints of the Court of Saxony against the King of Prussia. Continued preparations for war. Steps taken in the affair alluded to in the last letter. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 26 September 1756. (folios 28 and 30)

13. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Account of Sir Charles Williams’ success with the Great Chancellor. He desires to have the 10,000 ducats as soon as possible. Difficulties in preparing for war. Character of Apraxin. Dated St. Petersburg, 28 September 1756. (folio 31)

i. Encloses a copy of a letter of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to the Earl of Holderness. Account of conferences held with the Chancellor, relative to the succours asked from Russia, in case Hanover was attacked. Refusal of the Empress to accept the £100,000 by which the convention is violated. Disposition of the court against the King of Prussia. Dated St. Petersburg, 28 September 1756. (folio 35)

14. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Favourable disposition of the Great Chancellor. Complaint of the Queen of Poland [Maria Josepha]. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 2 October 1756. (folio 41)

15. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. The preparations proceed very slowly. Information from the Russian Minister at Warsaw, that the French have urged the King of Poland to oppose the march of a Russian army through his dominions. Further solicitation to have the sum of money previously specified put into his hands. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 9 October 1756. (folio 43)

16. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Slowness of proceedings, and complaints of the Imperial Ambassadors. Disputes between the Imperial Minister and the Great Chancellor. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 16 October 1756. (folio 46)

17. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Consternation of the Russian Court and the victory gained over the Austrians at Lobositz. Marshal Apraxin is still at St. Petersburg. Account of the offer of Russia to send 40,000 men into Saxony in the month of June, which had been laid aside on account of the opposition of the Imperial Minister, who now presses for the march of the army. Suspicions excited by the transactions between the Courts of Vienna and Versailles. Sentiments of the Royal Chancellor. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 19 October 1756. (folio 48)

18. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Remarks on the Prussia Victory at Lobostiz, and the Austrian account of it. Steps taken to influence the Chancellor. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 23 October 1756. (folio 53)

19. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. The Russian troops will certainly not march this year. The Empress is very ill. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 30 October 1756. (folio 56)

20. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. The Great Chancellor uneasy about the publication of the papers by the King of Prussia, relative to the occupation of Saxony. Arguments to induce the Court of Russia to embrace the Prussian alliance. The Great Duchess [Catherine] has been gained over to the King of Prussia’s interest. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 2 November 1756. (folio 58)

21. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Vindication of his zeal for the King of Prussia’s service. Account of proceedings in the Court. State of the Russian army. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 15 November 1756. (folio 62)

22. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. State of the Court. Power of the favourite Schuwallow [Schuwalow?], and efforts made, by means of the Great Duchess, to gain him over. Impression made by the King of Prussia’s papers. Arrangements relative to the money to be made use of. State of the army. Count Czernichew is to be sent to Dresden, to inquire into the real state of Saxony. Advice how to take advantage of this mission. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 11 November 1756. (folio 66)

23. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Disposition of the Empress towards a peace. Report of an action between the Russians and Prussians. Apprehension of the Great Duke [Peter], that the King of Prussia intends to attack his Duchy of Holstein. Assurances to the contrary are desired. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 27 November 1756. (folio 76)

24. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Money sent by Austria to support her cause at the Russian Court. State of the Empress’s health. General remarks. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 30 November 1756. (folio 79)

25. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Disposition of the Great Duke and Duchess towards the King of Prussia. State of Sit Charles’s health. (Partly cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 10 December 1756. (folio 83)

i. Enclosed copy of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams’s letter to the Earl of Holderness. Resolutions of the Empress to march to the assistance of Austria, and to accede to the Treaty of Versailles. Particulars relative to a conversation formerly held, relative to the mediation of Russia, and paper sent in consequence. Remarks on the character of the court, and money sent by Austria. Dated St. Petersburg, 9 December 1756. (folio 85)

ii. Note pour S. E. M. l’Ambassadeur de Sa Majesté Britannique, Charles de Williams. Refusal of the offer of mediation. (Copy). (folio 91)

26. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. State of Sir Charles’s health. Count Czernichew is appointed Minister from the Empress to the Queen of Poland. General Lieven is gone to his estate in Livonia. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 14 December 1756. (folio 93)

27. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. The retreat of the King of Prussia out of Bohemia looked upon as a defeat. Designs of the Russian army. Favour asked by the Grand Duke of the King of Prussia, with regard to the liberation of Lieutenant Zwiffel. Notice of M. Poniatowski. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 18 December 1756. (folio 95)

28. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Russian army. Calumnious reports relative to the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 21 December 1756.

29. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Council held on the accession of Russia to the Treaty of Versailles, and what passed at it. Russian army mission of Count Poniatowski retarded. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 25 December 1756. (folio 102)

30. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Effect of the retreat from Bohemia on the Court. The Schuwallows govern everything, and the Great Chancellor is in their hands. Affair of quartering soldiers in M. Gross’s house at Dresden. (In cypher). Dated 28 December 1756, (folio 106)

31. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Vindication of his conduct with regard to the King of Prussia. Sentiments of the Great Duke and Duchess, and exertions in favour of the King of Prussia. Felt-Marshal Apraxin is to return from Riga, to concert a plan of operations. Death of Baron Malzalin. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 4 January 1757. (folio 108)

32. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles is still confined to his house. Intelligence respecting the army. Inclinations of the Great Duke. Intentions of France with regard to Hanover. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 11 January 1757. (folio 113)

33. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Accession of Russia to the Treaty of Versailles. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 15 January 1757. (folio 116)

34. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Correspondence with Lord Stormont [David Murray]. Dutch Minister at the Russian Court. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 20 January 1757. (folio 118)

i. Enclosed copy of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams’s letter to the Earl of Holderness. Instructions of Count Poniatowski to the Court of St. Petersburg. State of Poland. Accession of Russian to the Treaty of Versailles. Health of the Empress. Orders to given to Apraxin to march. Condition of the army. Dated St. Petersburg, 20 January 1757. (folio 120)

35. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. General Intelligence. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 20 January 1757. (folio 122)

36. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles wishes to know from Marshal Keith the character of Colonel Fullerton, who is desirous of quitting the Russian service. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 25 January 1757. (folio 124)

37. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. The application to the Empress, for permission to export some corn from Livonia, for the use of His Majesty’s German dominions, has been denied. Harmony between the Austrian and French Ministers not very great. Mission of General Buccow to St. Petersburg. News of France with respect to Austria. The Russian troops continue quiet in their quarters. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 29 January 1757. (folio 126)

38. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles communicates to the Great Duke that the King of Prussia has granted his request. State of the army, recruits and fire-arms. General Lieven is still in Livonia. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 5 February 1757. (folio 130)

39. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Orders sent to the Russian Minister in London to unite with Count Colloredo in persuading Great Britain not to assist the King of Prussia in Germany, and by so doing pressure Hanover. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 15 February 1757. (folio 133)

40. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles’s state of health has obliged him to ask leave to return to England. Condition of the Russian army. Language of General Buccow. Alteration in the posts. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 1 March 1757. (folio 135)

41. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. In consequence of the representations from the King, and from the King of Prussia, Sir Charles will not regard his health, but remain at St. Petersburg. Incomplete state of the army. Feldt-Marshal Apraxin has sent for 12 suits of clothes which would indicate his intention to stay at Riga. Reproaches between the Courts of St. Petersburg and Vienna. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 22 March 1757. (folio 138)

i. Enclosed copy of Sir Charles Hanbury Williams’s letter to the Earl of Holderness. Conversation held with the Great Chancellor on the state of affairs at the Court, and the propriety of his (Sir Charles) remaining there. Sentiments of the Empress towards the King of Prussia. Dated St. Petersburg, 22 March 1757. (folio 142)

42. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. He is determined to stay at St. Petersburg. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 26 March 1757. (folio 146)

43. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Orders given to Apraxin to march the 1st of May. The Empress’s health. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 12 April 1757. (folio 148)

44. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Effect of the King of Prussia’s success in Bohemia. Complaints that the Austrians have not acted up to their engagements. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 17 May 1757. (folio 150)

45. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. New and violent measures adopted against the King of Prussia. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 28 May 1757. (folio 152)

i. Enclosed note delivered to Sir Charles Hanbury Williams by the Court of Russian, expressing the determination of the Empress to exert all her force against the King of Prussia. (folio 154)

46. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Remarks of the battle of Prague. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 7 June 1757. (folio 156)

47. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. The Great Chancellor has thrown himself into the arms of France. Douglass is recalled. The Russian fleet sails from Crownstadt [Kronstadt]. (In cypher). Dated 13 June 1757. (folio 160)

48. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. General remarks on the disposition of the Court of Russia, and the King of Prussia’s proceedings. Russia is going to enter into a strict alliance with Sweden. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 21 June 1757. (folio 162)

49. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Russian army in Poland. Intelligence from the Duke of Cumberland [Prince William]. Treatment of the Prussian ship’s crew, captured by the Russians. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 28 June 1757. (folio 164)

50. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Sir Charles takes leave of the Court. King of Prussia’s affairs in Bohemia. Capture of Memel. The Senate of Sweden resolve to march 20,000 men into Pomerania. (In cypher). Dated St. Petersburg, 12 July 1757. (folio 166)

51. Letter from Sir Charles Hanbury Williams to Mr. Mitchell. Uneasiness of Sir Charles’s situation, occasioned by want of Intelligence respecting the King of Prussia. [Not dated]. (folio 168)