| Description | [The Sardinian Envoy returns thanks for the information contained in your favour of the 16 Nov. respecting the smelting of Lead. The "Mary," Capt. Williams’s cargo, has entirely unloaded at Honfleur. The Minister of the Marine Department refused to let the vessel go up to Rouen, which, from the want of the necessary conveniences at Honfleur, put Mr. Perier to great trouble and expence: he was under the necessity of purchasing large masts and ropes to make tackling as a substitute for Cranes. They positively refuse granting him a Passport for the same or any other English vessel to return to a french port, and he is vastly pressed for the arrival of a second cargo of Pipes (Tuyaux): he has written to Ostend, that a neutral vessel may be immediately sent to Chepstow, from whence she must again return to Ostend before she can proceed to France, unless you can procure a Licence for her to proceed directly, as you did for the "Mary." Possibly the Council may be more averse to granting a Passport to a neutral ship than they are even to an english one. Lord Gower has resigned his place as President of the Council, and Lord Bathurst replaces him: I apprehend your old friend Lord Dartmouth will be the proper person to speak to, Mr. Wilkinson ought to take all this trouble, but I am doubtful whether he knows how to set about it. Mr. Perier promises to write to Mr. Wilkinson and to remit him £1000: you surely may call upon him for a remittance whenever you please. I have received Mr. Watt’s letter of the 15th and forwarded the enclosure for Paris.] |