date

Petersbourg May 17th O.S. 1780. The
Petersbourg May 17th O.S. 1780.

The Dutchess of Kingston is about buying an estate in Livonia of the Prince Potem kin, for which She is to give upwards of 100,000 pounds sterling. There are about 7,000 slaves to this estate. She is so full of the thought of having so many subjects to lord it over that the poor woman is almost out of her senses. [Sambourski by the Prince's desire goes with her in about a week a to take a view of the premises.] Before she can purchase an estate she must have a rank in the country that is a Military rank. This the Prince can [give her or rather] get for her as high one as she pleases. She will then be wanting orders. She spends 5 or 6 hours at her toilette now: when she has a ribband and Star to adjust. She will have no time left for eating & sleeping. As to the latter indeed she spends very little time in that way, a nap or two while she is in company seems to serve her.

I believe I did not tell you that when I gave my letter to her Grace She either did not or pretended at least not to remember any thing of Lind. However she invited me to dinner on a fixed day some days after the then present. In the meantime I heard from Mr Foster that She told him that as an Architect she could not introduce me into company, partly from that reason but more from Sir James's advice ( to whom I told the story) when the day came I which happened to be the day I was introduced at Court, I sent her an excuse not forgetting to tell her of the engagement which prevented my waiting on her. Notwithstanding I did not make another visit to her, the invitation to her great Bal marque, and I went there but have not been since, nor do I intend it.

Per Monday morning The flat being all out in the road at Cronstadt about 7 o clock in the evening a smoak was seen to issue from the midlemost Ship. Admiral Greig who saw it from his window ran instantly to the waterside and went off onboard. With some difficulty they he made their his way through the smoak

towards the magazine or powderroom, in the passage of which he found a large bundle of oakum just lighted, and the match which was still burning. They He got it out before it burst into flames, and by that means saved the Ship if not the greatest part of the fleet. It is imagined scarcely with any degree of doubt that it was done on purpose. Ma ny circumstances were well calculated to favour such a design . The Ship was the midlemost of the fleet. The wind was very high and in such a direction that the Ships could not be separated from each other, and they lay exceedingly close. Something of this kind has happened before; and last year a Ship was burnt as Revel. This [is the account I have from Sir James H] will probably be talked of in England from a report that circulated a little here of its being done by some english sailors and this owing no doubt to the ill will we are supposed to bear this country at present for acting upon a plan so perfectly neutral. His report however not gain ground. The Admiral examin every body onboard immediately and has found one man who is very much suspected. I must now tell you a little about what I do and may do here: but first I beg it may be kept a perfect secret with respect to every soul but . That it be never spoken of in company. I may very probably engage in this service for the purpose chiefly of making some experiments, and directing & assisting in some works on the Marine usefull to all countries and particularly to this and my own. Sir James Harris not only knows it but assists it and in short proposes it. I wrote a paper offering such services which he gave to Prince Potemkin and the answer was that nothing could be done till the Empress's return it was indeed but the day before they set out. Sir James will most likely speak to the Empress about it also. he had intended it before but had not an opportunity. Admiral Greig also wishes it much, and with heart and voice gives his assistance. There will be an opposition from a quarter whose offers I have already declined though they were to have the superintendence of all the matters in my way. I do all by Sir James's advice, and you may be sure that I shall engage in nothing but what will be perfectly honourable and also lucrative, though no fortune to be got
Similar Items
  • Title: [Petersbourg April 29 th O.S. 1780 I returned]
    Description: Petersbourg April 29 th O.S. 1780 I returned late last night from Cronstadt much pleased with the excursion I had made there. I went there Sunday morning with 2 letters to Admiral Greig, better probably than the two I had brought from England and lost. One was from Count Czernicheff the other from S r James Harris.

    From this double recommendation I got the confidence as well as the civilities of the Admiral. He devoted the whole of his time to me during the 3 days that I staid there when ever his great business did not prevent him; and I was almost constantly with him notwithstanding his business. I cannot say but what notwithstanding the very great character which S r James had given me of him I could not help considering him as a possible obstacle to my views and consequently I had prepared myself to behave with a good deal of caution and reserve. His behaviour however to me soon determined me to follow S r James's advice, to communicate to him my views and to consult him on the means of pursuing them. He is Commander in chief at Cronstadt, is in very great power and the Nation is under great obligations to him. He seems to be exceedingly well qualified for his trust, and is extraordinarily diligent. May 3 d. There are 15 Ships of the Line and 5 or 6 Frigates which the Admiral says would be ready in about days, that is about a week from this date. All the provision for 6 months was already onboard the greatest number of them. Their greatest Ship the Ezekiel the one which Ld Hour recommended it to me to take particular notice of is of 80 Guns on two decks, in that respect like our Foudroyant, but differing from it chiefly in not drawing so much water by about 2 feet or a little more. I saw her in dock and go out of dock with a 74 and 2 64s all four of which were together in one dock or rather canal out of which the water is shut by several pairs of gates. These were the last of the fleet which had occasion to be docked and were already in great measure rigged while in dock. The rest of the fleet consists of ships of 74, 66 & 64 Guns, and are in general well enough built. It seems they have as many more Ships which they could fit out if necessary though not in a very good condition The Seamen are excellent as to the fighting least if they have but officers to lead them on

    The Empress takes in 2 English news papers of which the London Chronicle is one.

    I dont know whether I told you in my last that Mr Lindgren's friend Eaton is here. He sets out in about a fortnight for the black sea, from whence he goes to Constantinople. He has been at me to go with him promising me admittance to see every thing at Constantinople, but I think I have somewhat else to do. If you were here you would get a great deal of information from him which would be entertaining at least, but my head is so full of almost too many things which are constantly comparing themselves that they exclude the admittance of all facts. Invention is all I am fit for.

    Seyer the American is here but nobody knows what he is about. He has no recommendations and consequently scarcely any acquaintance. He appears on the change, he takes the name of Smith. His name is in the Gazette as a preparation to his leaving the country. He has been here I believe about 5 weeks or a month. He has been endeavouring with people here to get a couple of Ships built at Arcangel, but I dont learn whether he has suceeded or not. The destination of the fleet is now declared, I have already told you it consists of 15 of the line and 6 frigates. This to be divided into 3 squadrons each consisting of 5 of the line and 2 frigates. One squadron is to cruise in the Mediterranean the 2 d in the Channel and the 3 d in the North Sea. The object is said to be the protection of the trade, but perhaps the real and more reasonable one is to exercise the men and to make a shew as a Maritime power. The opinions which people entertain here of the abilities and resolution of the Sea Officers are very much divided Admiral Greig has taken the greatest pains to clear the sea service of a set of ragamuffins with which it swarmed and to secure the services of such as were most likely to do their duty: but after all there are few who have had any experience to signify and they have in general very little ambition or of that kind of motive which is called a sense of honour. One part of this character however may possibly work something on our favour which is the great animosity which they bear to the french on account of the tricks they play d them last war with the Turks. They dont employ one french man in any part of this Marine. I think I saw about 7 or 8 English men Officers in their service while I was at Cronstadt of which 2 or 3 have the command of Ships. They have some English also in different stations in their dock yards. Admiral Greig himself does not go out with this fleet. Rear Admirals are sufficient for the command of such small Squadrons, and he will have employment at Cronstadt.
  • Title: [Petersburg April 8 th O.S. 1780 Sunday]
    Description: Petersburg April 8 th O.S. 1780

    Sunday being recovered sufficiently from my second illness I set out to begin

    paying my visits. First of course to Sir James Harris's. He was not at

    home, next to M r Shairpes the Consul. There I

    dined. In the afternoon I went with his family to a Concert, and was prudent enough to return from thence home

    immediately instead of accepting any invitation to supper.

    Monday by 1/2 past 8 in the morning I was at D r Guthrie's as I knew that was the only time to

    find him. I carried him some books which were new to him as well as

    those he had lent me and brought back a few of his which were new to me.

    His house is filled with objects of Natural Philosophy. His rooms hung

    round with Tables all sorts, Chemical in particular. He seems to have a

    very complete apparatus for experiments on Airs.

    I shall probably get some tables from him, as will he perhaps one or two

    from me. I staid with him till

    10 o'clock so that when I called a second time at S r James's

    he was just gone but

    again had left excuses for me and that he should not dine at home but

    hoped to see me next day. I went to Kruse's and saw all the family. On

    One of

    his sister who is very pretty is married to Kickelbecker

    who is gone to his father's estate leaving his wife behind him. He

    will be back again in 10 days.

    Tuesday. I at last found S r James. Although I had

    expected from his character and by his letters which I carried to

    him to be received with a great deal of politeness yet the reception he

    gave me

    ever

    exceded my expectations. He was engaged to dine at Count

    Rasamowsky's one of the Marshal's of the Empire, and therefore he sent to

    let them know he should bring me with him. This man has not

    above

    seventy thousand pounds Sterling a year to have

    the plague of spending. The table he

    keeps must use him of a small part of it. There were several of the

    foreign Ministers and a good large company all together, but the dinners

    are most intolerably long.

    S r James introduced me

    to about a dozen of the principal people

    of the company, the rest were beneath my notice.

    In the afternoon he took me to pay 2 or 3 visits to Count Panir, to the

    Vice Chancellor, (Chancellor there is none) &c. The next day I

    was to call on him at twelve to go and make

    about 20 more visits to the principal of the Nobility and then return to

    dine with him with a pretty large company which he has regularly

    twice a week.

    Wednesday therefore I called on him at the time appointed, but

    he was not yet dressed and I had so many visits to make he told me

    I might just as well go by myself for that he

    should not find anybody at home, his servant should go with me and

    give his card with mine. He gave me a list of the

    houses I was go to and marked the number of cards

    I was to leave at each: because the same card wont do for

    a man & his wife too nor for the daughter if she is married, but each

    must have one. at once I left so.

    The matter of my letter being lost he said he had settled with

    Chemichef and would with the rest: that he could

    say as much of me as was probably said in the letters, and that it

    was of no consequence.

    I asked S r James about Mr Eaton the great

    traveller who is here now. He told me if I would dine with him again

    tomorrow he would invite him to meet me. I did so

    he did so, and Eaton came. This was Thursday

    eve more than a smaller company not above 15 or 16 at dinner.

    Fryday I dined at Krase's in consequence of Char

    having asked me the day before when I called on them if I had made a

    resolution never to come to dine with them.

    In the evening I

    went to a Concert at Rosamofsky's from an invitation the

    young Countess gave me the day I dined there. S r James came there also. The Dutchess of Kingston was

    there and fell asleep every time the musick

    played piano, and awakened with the forte. She

    served the company to laugh at.

    S r James I think did not speak to her. I

    staid

    to supper and till one o'clock.

    Saturday I dined at S r James's and called on

    Kruse in the Evening.
  • Title: [Fetcham Thursday Sept: r 12 th 1776]
    Description: Fetcham Thursday Sept: r 12 th 1776

    Hon'd Sir

    Yesterday I was again at Ripley; and fortune was again

    perverse. To anticipate any company that might come in, and to give time

    to Miss S. to get ready for riding, should she be disposed to it, I got thither

    with my poor forlorn beast a little before 9. It was plain it was not

    Miss S's original intention to ride out that day, as she came down to

    breakfast in a gown: but upon my proposing it first to her Mama, and

    afterwards as soon as Miss came into the room to herself, she came into

    it at first word: gave orders to the Coachman to get up the horse, and as

    soon as breakfast was over went up to put on her habit. The dressing

    of her hair took up an uncommon length of time. M rs B. apologized

    for it, and assigned as a reason, that as they were going out to make a

    visit in the afternoon, Miss was dressing her hair in such a manner

    as that it might serve once for all. It was about 12 when M rs B.

    who had been above stairs for a few minutes, came down and told me

    that Miss had been taken with the complaint she is subject to in her

    stomach, that she had taken some of the Medicine she kept by her for the

    purpose, but that she was afraid she would not able to ride out that day

    Soon after Miss herself came into the room ;, mentioned her indisposition,

    and said that under those circumstances she was afraid to venture

    upon riding, as the motion of the horse was apt to make her worse.

    I then thought it was time to take my leave: but first my business

    was to endeavour to get them to appoint a time for coming over to

    Fetcham. From what had passed when I was there before I really

    thought they meant it; and indeed M rs B. for it was she alone who spoke, acknowledged that I had reason. but when it came to a trial I had the misfortune

    to find all I could say would not prevail. She assigned first

    the length of the way, shortness of the days, and so forth; their expecting a

    Lady who was to come and spend a fortnight with them soon, and who might

    come so soon as Monday or Tuesday. When answers were given to all these objections At last she owned to be fearing

    that she could not think of paying a visit to a single gentleman:

    that indeed it was not her custom to dine with any body, and that

    her dining with my Mother was a particular exception to the rule.

    I said that I was persuaded my Mother and you would meet them

    at Fetcham with great pleasure, and that I would not expect them but

    upon that condition: and when that would not do, pleading the disappointment it