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I must by some means or other have an account of what exports
& imports are prohibited in England, as also of the
duties on the several articles. Surely there must be some
publication in which all such customhouse matters are
exhibited as to the acts of parliament enjoining these things
they probably are as numerous as the articles themselves.
The Count has 5 manufacturies of Potash from which
notwithstanding he has to transport it as far as Koningsburg
for sale, he gets clear profit about twelve thousand
ducats a year. I have been to see the principal
manufactory. He took me there shewed me the whole process
and explained to me as I wrote it down every article of
expence attending it as well as the price he gets for it.
The profit is always more than 100 pr ct. He does not only
make it in his own woods but he hires 2 woods of his neighbour
for two of his manufactories. Were I to carry on a commerce
by the black sea, I should have potash manufactories
also. The profit of the Merchant & the manufacturer would
then be joined. They have linseed here also in the greatest
abundance or rather would have if they knew what to do
with it, but the making the oil a manufactory so profitable
to the Dutch they know nothing of. Neither do they
make soap in this part of the world. In the parts of Russia
nearest here where they make it, they use tallow. I dont
know by what oil is best for soap making. There are
no windmills hereabouts as yet, but indeed they are the
least wanted here on account of the conveniency for Water-mills.
The Count showed me a water mill of his which
brings him his near 2,000 roubles a year, and such
a one costs but 200 roubles building. That is it cost
him no more, for the wood costs nothing and the labour
little. He has one or two saw mills also but they dont
work well and he has nobody who understands them very well.
Fine large fir timber is heaped up to serve as a fence.
An infinity of things in short give to shew the advantages of
a commerce which might be carried on here by one who has
a some Mechanical knowledge a disposition suited to an extensive
undertakings and some connection & protection at the Russian
court. To do anything at this place, the friendship & assistance of
the Count is also of the greatest importance. I flatter myself
that I should have this at my setting out and that I should
know how to keep it. It is no would be no difficult manner
to combine his interest with mine. If I can but get that
kind of assistance from the Russian Court which I mean to ask
for, then shall I want nothing to determine me to pursue this
plan but a capital. I trust under such circumstances my father
would be minded to advance me to his utmost. I am sure he
would if he knew how certain the profits would be.
Internal commerce between Russia & Poland, as well as the establishment
of manufactories could take place this time immediately,
but before any internal commerce by the black sea can take
place Ships must be built procured & not bought but built
in the country. This is what the whole turns upon, and in what
assistance from Petersbourg is so particularly necessary.
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2
A Marine they are establishing or attempting to establish in
the black sea. This is at present the favourite object of the Court
Gen. Hannibal of black parents though born in Russia has the
entire management of it under Prince Potemkin. He has the
command of the building fortifying & settling the new Town
of Kyerson as well as the first command of all the Marine
there. He chose the spot not above 2 or 3 years ago when
there was not even a hut; and he expects in a few years
to see a fleet of 32 sail of Ships of which 12 are to be
of the line. Here also Sheds to cover them are also to grow
up with them and all at the same instant is to be brought to
the pitch of perfection. He has the favour of the Empress and
her Minister and snaps his fingers at the Admiralty.
He gave me a general description of his plan during the 1/2 hour
only that I was with him and was so flattered was he with his
hope of success that he would feign prove to me that he what
had been by others considered as an insurmountable obstacle
he depended up[on as the greatest advantage.
There is something characteristic in the plans & hypothesis of a French
man with respect to the shortsightedness of them and the eagerness with which he
draws your attention and deceives himself by the favourable
side of the question: but such a plan as this none but a Russian
I believe could have suggested; certainly none but Russians would
pursue. Supposing the enemy dispersed for peace or war, and able
or not able to molest them, the plan cannot but be absurd.
I have just now been reflecting upon it for this half hour
which puts me in such a passion with them.
They have built about 180 houses of the Town and the
fortifications are very forward. They say they are very
and I know nothing to the contrary. As to their shipping
they have one 64 of which the ribs only are set up and
those so badly that another the Builder is superceded.
They There are the keels of 2 others of 66 guns ready to lay
and some timber to build them with. This is all at present
except 5 frigates which lay down below the bar of the
river and which were almost pulled to pieces for a vain
attempt to lighten them sufficient to admit of their coming
over the bar. These are scarcely good for anything.
The timber they got here from this part of Poland for there is not scarcely
a tree within 200 miles of the place. A General who is a Merchant
also has made a visit of 2 or 3 days here at the Grants,
with an intention of buying timber but the Count wished to
have no dealings with him. However he bought a little of somebody
else here to whom for which he gave about 16,000 roubles
and for which without any trouble or any expence except
fees he receives at Kerson 35,000. This I have been
once told but it is so incredible that I must enquire more
about it before I consider it as certain. I might just as
well get this profit as he, for he is not in favour, but
then he knows how to Fee, he gives perhaps 1/3 of his
profits.
The clearing of the Duiper of its waterfalls
is an affair of very great importance to the trade by the
black sea. People are now set at work about it, and the
the first Mechanic who has the direction of the works makes
very light of it in conversation. I have not spoken with him
neither could I as yet get any account of the method to
be pursued moreover if I had as it depends upon the explosion
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Identifier: | JB/539/073/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 539.
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1780-08-01 |
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539 |
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073 |
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001 |
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Correspondence |
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Samuel Bentham |
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