The Treaty of Versailles (May 1, 1756) had placed Douglas and Count Esterhazy upon an entirely new footing. Their lengthened conferences, at first held secretly in a third place, and their growing intimacy, prevented Sir Hanbury from conversing any longer with the Austrian minister on matters of business. French subjects were invited to consider themselves under the protection of the Empress-Queen’s ambassador, and Russia’s ministers at foreign courts were instructed to live on good terms with those of France. Such were the political changes in progress, when Elizabeth openly professed her desire to renew diplomatic relations with the King of France. M. Rouillé’s courteous letter of February 9, presented to the Vice-Chancellor by Douglas upon the same evening of his arrival at St. Petersburg, and in which, by way of precaution, should the letter have miscarried, the secret envoy was spoken of as being a librarian, was as courteously answered under date of April 20 (O.S.). A long ‘Mémoire,’ also handed to Douglas for transmission to the French minister, in reply to the friendly advances made by Louis XV., and in which are expressed her Imperial Majesty’s views on drawing closer together the improving relations between Russia and France, contains this passage:— ‘It would be very agreeable to her Imperial Majesty if the Chevalier Douglas was more fully authorised or accredited as Chargé d’Affaires, so as to render it possible for both sides to treat with greater authority on the other matters included in his instructions, and serve not only to the glory and to the mutual advantage of the two Courts, but also to their prompt reunion. Yet, notwithstanding the insufficiency of the Chevalier’s authorisation, he will continue to be treated with distinction, and listened to with consideration, as being a person sent to this country on the part of his Most Christian Majesty.’[23] [Sidenote: APPOINTED SECRETARY OF LEGATION.] In July, Douglas was accredited Chargé d’Affaires to the Court of Russia, taking up his residence at the Apraxin Palace, near the Summer Palace, D’Eon being appointed Secretary of Legation, and entrusted with the secret correspondence; communicating with the Prince de Conti, and with the King through Tercier, and still the medium of intercourse between the Empress and Woronzoff on the one hand, and Louis XV. on the other; by which arrangement Douglas was enabled to entertain uninterrupted relations with Elizabeth and Woronzoff on subjects of a nature to be kept concealed from Bestoujeff Riumin.