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Petersbourg April 29th 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 Sr 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 Sr 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 Sr 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 very extraordinarily diligent.
May 3d.
There are 15 Ships of the Line and 5 or 6 Frigates
which the Admiral says will would be ready in about
days, that is about a week from this date. All the
provision wer for 6 months was already onboard the greatest
number of them. Their greatest Ship the Ezekiel
the one which Ld Hour recommended me 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.
the whole These were the last of the fleet wh
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 which
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
---page break---
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 2d in the Channel and the 3d 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 different much divided
since 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 their the great
animosity which they bear to the french on account of the tricks they playd
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.
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Identifier: | JB/539/046/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 539.
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1780-05-15 |
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539 |
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046 |
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001 |
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Correspondence |
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Samuel Bentham |
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