• No.30
p. 53-54
St. James, October 18th 1774
Sir Robert Gunning
Sir,

Your letters No 68, 69, 70, 71 & 73 have been laid before the King and I hope, in a few days, to be able to transmit to you His Majesty’s Pleasure on their contents.
It is evident from all the accounts received of the Grand Signior, His Ministers and People, that the Turkish Empire is at present enervated and helpless in the utmost extreme and Russia has certainly no reason to apprehend either a refusal to confirm the treaty so fortunately obtained by Marshal Romanzow, or any obstruction to the full exercise of the privilege obtained by it, whenever she finds herself at liberty to make use of them.
It is said however that the New Grand Vizir talks much of some modification, and hopes to obtain it through the King of Prussia, whom He supposes to be desirous of becoming sole guarantee of the Treaty. Many of the Foreign Ministers at the Porte hold a similar language with regard to the Expediency of lowering the conditions and there is reason to believe that some of them will endeavour to prevail upon the Porte to lay open the trade of the Black Sea to all nations indiscriminately, in order to secure a future check to the power of the Russians. – Whether such a measure would have the effect expected from it may be much doubted. It seems very clear that nothing could contribute so much to the increase of the Russian Commerce.
….

I am etc.
Suffolk [namely, Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk, 5th Earl of Berkshire]