Autograph letter signed : Hague, to Lord Harrington, 1730 December 26.

Asking for his advice and instructions as he reports on the status of the treaty negotiations; saying "For having told Count Zinzendorf in general that I had forwarded a Courier to Vienna who would one way or other determine affairs, in about three weeks time; he said that lett it be what it would that that Courier carried; even though it were acceptable, yett he knew from the constant dull delays of his Court; that they would take at least a month to consider of any thing finall. And that he hoped I should not look upon such a delay so naturall to the Imperiall Court; as any design to amuse or gain time. I told him I certainly should, and that considering the Crisis things were now in, it was impossible to see it in any other light...I am very apprehensive that the King will have been displeas'd that I gott nothing to send from hence by the Courier to Vienna; but I really found it impossible to do it, with the least degree of security for the secret; and I hope your Lordship will contribute to excuse me to the King. I heartily wish this Affair may succeed for if it does not I think we shall be in a very bad condition; the Design of France, to do either nothing or too much, is now too plain to be doubted of; and the Jealousys and distrusts among the Allys have taken too deep a root, to be removed, with any prospect of future concert. And if the Emp'r is obstinate enough to reduce us to return to France, after this Jealousy, we shall be oblig'd to give them fatall pledges of our future fidelity. I am persuaded there will be nothing ready for the meeting of the Parliament, for even should the Court of Vienna approve of the Treaty in generall, yett something or other always happens to retard the Conclusion of such important affairs, beyond the time one wish'd or proposed...Therefore in my poor opinion, the Parliament should be putt off as long as possible because whatever his Majesty says at the opening of it, will be of the Utmost and nicest consequence."