Petersbourg 1780

Hon d Sir

I have just this instant read your letters which coming here during my excursion

were sent after me to the black sea. I was at dinner today at Sir James

Harris's when they were brought in under his cover.

I am totally at a loss for expression adequate to the affection so apparent in

both your letters particularly in the last though written at a time when

my conduct must have appeared to be such as to render me so little

deserving of it. I can never forgive myself for the inattention I have

given to the circumstance of my having spent so much money. My not having

gone about to give an account of the reasons in the way

of justification for my having spent so much must appear very

blameable but my not having given some kind of assurance of that

expensive mode of living being at an end is unpardonable. I am astonished

at it myself upon resolution.

Finding that I could justify my conduct to myself it seems as if I

thought nothing of the opinions and suspicions which my friends must have

from it or of the difficulties which I might involve them in.

First, Sir, let me assure you that all those great expenses which

unexperienced

as I was and in such extraordinary circumstances I had incurred are now at

an end and though the appearance I keep up here is same as it was at

first and which was never more than was absolutely necessary for me

to do anything yet I have brought my expenses within

the bounds which my brother tells me your affectionate bounty has

set me till I can settle myself . As I was before exposed to

many extraordinary expenses so am I now in circumstances the most

favourable for Oeconomy. This owing to me friend Pleschijeff.

A carriage was as necessary as a pair of shoes more so than a shirt. To

save the expence of hiring at a rouble a day and in times of public

show at two roubles independent of horses I brought one for 275 roubles.

Instead of having house by the month I give for Plechijeff

when I only go out to dinner 1/2 a rouble.