415-416
Zante the 22 June 1783

My Lord
In discharge of my duty I think it necessary for the good of the British Trade to inform Your Lordship, that the Russian Court have lately obtained from the Republick of Venice the privilege of exporting currants from the Venetian Islands on Russian bottoms to Crimea in the Black Sea, without paying the extraordinary duty of the Novissimo, that all other nations are subject too, when they have no freedom from the V Savy alla Mercanzia of Venice for to obtain which they are obliged to carry a cargo of merchandize there, from out the Straits as Your Lordship is well informed.
If the Russians are deserving of such privilege, much more is the British Nations, considering the great branch of trade they carry annually of that commodity; I therefore enclose to your Lordship an authentic coppy of the Decree for your perusal, if you think it proper to lay it before His Majesty, for to take them measures shall think proper for the good of this Trade.
I am with the most profound respect.
My Lord
Your most humble obedient and devoted servant
Peter Sargint

The Right Honorable Lord Grantham
Principal Secretary of Stat
St. James’s
London

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