My Lord

Your Lordship will have seen in the paper that accompanied my letter No.10, that a Treaty of Commerce with the Republic of Venice had been recommended to the Empress, as a measure that would facilitate the opening a new Branch of Trade through the Black Sea etc. I am now told that she has been advised rather to prefer one with France. Others are of opinion that an Ukase should be published, inviting all foreigners to settle on the Black Sea, with assurances of security. Monsr. Panin, to whom I have had occasion to touch upon this matter, since my last letter to your Lordship, does not acknowledge either of these: and indeed I believe, from what he says, that the question has not been agitated, and that they have not as yet formally deliberated upon the method of carrying on this commerce. But as the resolution thereupon may be suddenly formed, and the doing so may not be at a great distance, I submit it to your Lordship, whether it would not be right to take the opinions of the Russia and Levant Companies, on this subject, as early as possible. …

Was it thought proper to allow a few English seamen to serve on board the Russian ships to be employed in the Black Sea, a principal one, the Danger of the navigation, would be removed; and that of the want of security for the persons and property of the settlers in Taganrok, by the Empress’s appointing a man of probity (if such can be found in the Empire) to the government of it. …

I have the honour to be with great respect

My Lord….

Gunning

The Earl of Suffolk