MARIA THERESA (1717-1780). Archduchess of Austria. Mother of Marie Antoinette.
Letter Signed to Leopold von Weingarten, her secretary at the Prussian Court, 1 page folio with address-wrapper, 18 February 1744. Confirming the elaborate travel arrangements for her 'greatly beloved lady sister and our dearly loved brother-in-law'. With a full translation.

'Faithful and Well-Beloved! We enclose in original and in copy what we have announced to the King of Prussia regarding the transit by our greatly beloved lady sister and our dearly loved brother-in-law¹ . We request no more than the contents of the memorandum, namely that the posts and whatever else may prove necessary should be paid for them.
 In all, 178 draught horses and 27 riding horses will be required at each posting station. You will find the details of which posting stations the above numbers of horses will be required at, on what day they will arrive at each place, and finally what other facilities will need to be provided here and there for the more comfortable continuation of the journey, in the attached memorandum, and on the basis of its contents you will have to determine what steps you have to take from the Ministry.
 And We remain well-pleased with you with Royal and Princely Favour. Given in Our City of Vienna on the 18th of February in the year 1744, in the fourth year of Our Reign.'

[¹ Translator's note: wegen der Durchreiß Unserer herzlich geliebten Frauen Schwester und Vielgeliebten Schwagers Liebden Liebden, i.e. perhaps not the sister and brother-in-law themselves but their "dear ones".]
[No: 22562]