St. James, February 14^th 1775

Sir Robert Gunning

Sir,

I shall confine myself in this dispatch, to a business which may, eventually, interest this country exceedingly in its commercial capacity; I mean the navigation of the Turkish seas, which has been conceded to Russia, in the fullest extent, by the late peace. It is evident from an inspection of the map, that that Power may draw many commercial advantages from its late acquisitions on the Black Sea, and the freedom of the passage into the Dardanelles for its merchant ships. The products of the Empire may be conveyed that way to all parts of the Mediterranean, more expeditionaly and with less expense, than through the Baltick or North Sea. The navigation too, being always open, may prove an excellent nursery for seamen. The article of corn alone, which may be furnished in immense quantities by the provinces communicating with the Black Sea, will employ a great number of ships; and is that which will interfere the least with the trade from the Northern Ports of Russia. While population, the natural attendant on commerce, will add strength to the Southern parts, already fortified by the Crim, which, though nominally independent, may be considered as an effectual appendage to Russia. Having thus stated to You the obvious and undeniable advantages which the Russians may derive from their treaty with the Porte, so must direct your attention to the use they are disposed to make them. It remains to be seen how , allured by the prospects I have described, they may think it right to encourage this new mode of trade, so as to injure that to which they have been so long accustomed, and to which they owe their present greatness. Certainly both cannot will exist with equal vigour: and the British Merchants now residing in Russia, who have a very large share of the Trade from thence to the Mediterranean, must, of course, suffer by the loss of so much of it as will be diverted by the New Channel. But this is not to be avoided; it is a necessary consequence, which, in some degree, will affect all the Northern ports trading that way; and might to be an additional motive with us to endeavour to turn the New Mode of Trade, supposing it to be set on foot, in the manner alluded to, to the advantage of Great Britain, whose objects will then be to employ her shipping in transporting the Russian commodities and to supply the New markets with Her produce and Manufactures, thereby making aminds to Herself and Her Merchant for the loss attending the diversion of the trade from its former course, as abovementioned. To compass this point, a free navigation for all British Merchant ships toad n from the Russian ports on the Black Sea is indispensably necessary. Besides this the treaty of commerce between Great Britain and Russia may be extended to British subjects settling in those parts. It is uncertain indeed how far the Turks will be inclined to consent to the first point, without which little benefits can be derived from the latter. Means however may be discovered to obtain compliance. Perhaps the paying a certain duty, such as is now paid to Denmark, for passing the Sound, may be some inducement. At any rate I fear it will be too much to expect this indulgence exclusively of other nations. The Empress of Russia will rather wish the passage to be allowed to ships of all nations, and will give general encouragement for trading with the new ports and settling factories there, though she may show a preference to the subjects of Great Britain, as she does at present. And the Turks will not fail to favor their old friends, the French, who, you know, have already directed their attention to this new object, as much as they can. It is difficult to determine upon what places may be fittest for the purposes of the new trade; without a more perfect knowledge of them than has just been obtained. Kinburn, on account of its vicinity to the Dneister and the Bog, may be convenient for the trade of the Ukraine; And Janicula, at the entrance of the Sea of Asoph, seems well situated for the trade from the very heart of Russia, from Siberia and all the eastward provinces; especially if a harbor can be made there. There can, in short, be no doubt of the practicability of carrying on an extensive trade, if the Russians are left at liberty to do it, and certain powers of Europe, jealous of the aggrandizement of Russia in that part of the world, do not throw obstacles in the way to retard the progress or prevent the execution of the plan.

I have now Sir put you into possession of my ideas at large upon a subject which I am persuaded your abilities and your address will turn to the benefit of your country. If I am misinformed or mistaken, in any respect, or if the affair is differently considered at the court of Petersbourg, I shall be obliged to you for setting me right, and for any lights you can communicate. If my observations and reflections are just, I must desire you to pursue them with diligence and make them the basis of a negotiation. The object is to advance the commerce of Great Britain by obtaining preference and advantages to it in the new branches of trade which are opened by the concessions made to Russia by the Porte in the last treaty of peace. I have endeavoured to show the importance of these concessions, and how they might be directed to our advantage. You will take the first proper opportunity of sounding the Russian ministers; and having being fully instructed make, or withhold a proposal of the nature which I have pointed out, according as you find them au fait of their own situation in the business, or according as you find their plan is to conduct it, or their disposition to give real and effectual preferences, to the pretensions of this country.

I am etc.

Suffolk [namely, Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk, 5th Earl of Berkshire]