| Description | London, 27th July 1793.
Sir,
I received yesterday the favour of your letter of the 25th instant, and I return you my most sincere thanks for the wishes which you have the goodness to express in my behalf, and which I doubt not heaven will be pleased to ratify by affording me his protection in the course of my voyage. I am extremely glad to receive the letter for the Brittish Ambassador at St. Petersburg, couch'd in such strong terms as I trust will procure me that gentleman's favour and assistance in those occurrences where I may stand in need of them. You may be fully assured that every endeavor and vigilance will be exerted on my side in the whole of the business you have entrusted to my care; wishing only that I may meet with success equal to my exertions.
I call'd immediately on my arrival at Mrs. Matthews's counting house, where I learnt that in the course of next week a ship would infallibly sail direct for St. Petersburg. This news was very agreeable to me, for it is certainly more for your interest that I embrace this opportunity in preference to that for Hambro'; since it will not only save much expence, but I shall also get much speedier to the place of destination; which is a circumstance the most desirable at present.
The letters which you have sent for the three London houses, I shall deliver on Monday next; I should have done it immediately on receipt of them, but from the excessive heat on my journey from Birmingham I was yesterday so much indisposed that it was judg'd necessary to bleed me.
I should be very glad to receive before my departure the letter you intended to write to Michailo Iwanow Samoyloff. The ship will not sail before Thursday or Friday next. On my arrival at Petersburg I shall give the earliest intelligence possible respecting your claim on Samoyloff. May it prove such as will afford pleasure and dissipate your fears!
With the most sincere and heartfelf wishes for your health and constant happiness, I remain very respectfully, sir, your much obliged and humble servant,
Andw. Collins
[Noted by Zaccheus Walker:]
Z. Walker, in a letter to Mr. Collins that is gone by this day mail coach, desired him to send Mr. Boulton a copy of Lord Hawksbury's letter to the Russian Ambassador at St. Petersburg.
[Edited transcript.] |