English Translation

W 23- England did not accept government. Catherine II, however, has learned in these years the English politics, its aims and its methcden thoroughly. She has been the doctrinal disciple of the envoy Williams and, perhaps without this becoming clear to Williams and his clients, has used English money and English influence (T to strengthen her own position. With its takeover of government, it is adopting an increasingly independent policy towards England, which eventually leads to an armed union between the two states. Even though its first drive was its unbridled ambition, it has managed in the interest of Russia, if it seemed to be nearing high treason at the moment. However, the hopes of English politics for an earlier change of government in Russia and for a separation of Russia from France are not fulfilled, and Williams is dismissed at the instigation of his side-buyer for the influence on Catherine, the chancellor Count A.P. Bestushev-Rjumin, who received a pension from England3). 4) His successor, who does not appreciate the importance of the heir to the throne as well as Williams, approaches the Thconsecutor Peter, whose Prussian inclinations were known. Thus, although Russia holds on to the alliance with France and Austria during Elizabeth's lifetime and participates in the Seven Years' War against England's ally Prussia, England cannot decide to break with Russia with regard to its trade. Both states avoid military clashes. Frederick the Great waits in vain for an Ein- 5) attack the English fleet in the Baltic Sea in his favor. But also the Russian trade suffers from the ruthless (9 caper war of the Englishmen. 1) Tarle S.151, 2) Ferepiska S.60. 3) Perepisca S.73. 4) Perepiška S .XXI. 5) Stänlin 2, p.386. 6) Aleksandrenk: 1, p.32, note.1.