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