Failure of a Mission, 1707–8

Abstract

Very early in 1707, Harley had written to Robinson of his hopes in very far-reaching terms: ‘If you are of the opinion it would be agreeable to the King of Sweden to revive our treaties with him, and to tie ourselves up from giving any assistance to Poland or Muscovy, it would be a great satisfaction to the Allies that His Majesty should reciprocally declare he would not assist France nor her adherents’ (8 February). This was ten weeks, it will be noted, before Marlborough was to go to Altranstädt! But it did not prevent Marlborough writing to Matveyev, then still at The Hague, that he hoped to see him in London, when he ‘would be delighted to find the occasions to display his zeal for the interests of His Czarish Majesty’ (28 February). In fact, however, a week before this Marlborough had written home to Godolphin while he was still at The Hague himself, ‘The Ambassador of Muscovy has been with me, and made many expressions of the great esteem his master has of Her Majesty.’ Matveyev had asked to be provided with a house when he came to London: ‘I hope Her Majesty will do it, for it is certain you will not be able to gratify him in any part of his negotiations.’