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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 the4 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 <lb/. to him my view 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 Shipsof the Line and 5 or 6 Frigates
which the Sdmiral 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, <lb/. but differing from it chiefly in not drawing
so much water by about 2 feet or a little more.
Is aw her in dock and go out of dock with a 74
and 2 64s all four of which were together
in one dock or artehr 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
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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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