General le Duc Alain de Mylcandonai to
His Exellency Brigadier le Duc Axel von Fersen, OC The Cardinal's Guards,
His Majesty's Minister of State
Greetings!
Your Grace,
Although my disappointment at not being appointed as Minister of State may
be well imagined it would be unforgiveably mean-spirited of me not to offer
my warmest congratulations regarding your own good fortune in this
endeavour. Indeed, you will recall that I offered you my support towards
this end at the height of the Senior Affair - but that such help was then
refused? Still, I have learned many important political lessons from recent
events, not all of them pleasant.
I'm afraid that I still can't bring myself to believe that direct
intervention on the part of the Minister of State in the affairs of those
other Ministers and Officials directly appointed or promoted by His
Majesty - together with the affairs of their direct subordinates - is the
best way forward for France. I can but hope that a sensitive handling of
such affairs will prove my fears to be groundless.
As has been clearly established by our recent correspondence, however, there
is one area in which we appear to be full agreement - that the aims of
French Foreign policy over the next couple of year should be directed
towards the annexation of the Spanish Netherlands. So long as this area
remains in Spanish hands it will constitute a loaded pistol pointed at the
very heart of France, as I'm sure you will agree.
There are a couple of urgent matters concerning this which I would like to
bring to your private attention. The ball following your inaugeral
government meeting would appear to be an ideal opportunity for this. Indeed,
it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that I might hold a portfolio
allowing my entrance to the complete proceedings at the time in any case.
Nevertheless, a personal invitation to the affair would be greatly
appreciated by both Princess Louisa and
Your Grace's Most Obedient Servant,
General le Duc Alain de Mylcandonai
