My Lord

….

The Empress has been pleased to appoint General Potemkin, Governor General of Azow, Taganrog, Kerche, Jenicale and Kinburn.

Mr. Panin tells me, that notwithstanding the manner in which he has received the fresh overtures of the French minister towards a Treaty of Commerce, he still continues to importune him on that subject: and that from what dropt from him he concludes his successor will be authorized to offer him a dijested plan; which, he added, he was glad to find out as he should be the better prepared to answer it. In one of Vergennes’s last letters to Mr. Durand, Mr. Panin says, he dwels much upon the services he would do this country, if he could open way to a commercial connection with Russia. That the superiority of influence Great Britain had in the North, was solely oweing, to that they had established; But that as all attempts to rival the English in the Baltick would be vain, every effort should be made to counterbalance these advantages by availing themselves of the new situation in which Russia found itself, and engaging with her in a Treaty of Commerce, for the carrying on the trade of the Black Sea.

….

I have the honour to be with great respect

My Lord….

Gunning

The Earl of Suffolk