Νο.16

St. Petersburgh

March 2. 1802

The Right Honorable Lord Hawkesbury

My Lord

I have had a very satisfactory and confidential explanation with Monsieur Kotchouby, relative to the dispositions of this government towards that of France…. [o Kotchouby ανέφερε πως δεν υφίστασται τέτοιο ζήτημα, αν και έχουν συσφιχθεί οι σχέσεις Ρωσίας Γαλλίας και έχουν υπογραφεί τα μυστικά άρθρα]

Monsieur Kotchouby adverted, of his own accord, to this topic, with respect to which he particularly instances a letter which had been lately written and printed by the consuls order, advertising thee French traders and manufacturers, that the Emperor had signified his intention of encouraging the commercial intercourse between the two countries by special favor and privileges, a strain which he assured me was founded on the grossest misrepresentation; for that though the letter from the chief consul, which was brought by Monsieur Caulincourt, had in fact contained a very pressing solicitation to that effect, with the additional request, that His Imperial Majesty would facilitate to the French Government the means of procuring in the ports of Russia the various supplies necessary for the reestablishment of the navigation, the Emperor’s answer entirely passed over all these particulars, and contained merely a general assurance, that the French Traders resorting to Russia would experience the same protection and encouragement that were enjoyed by those of other nations in amity with this country. ….