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but the general opinion of His Highnesses servants was, that the 

 treasury was many milhons of crowns the richer. The noise which 

 this occurrence created among the higher circles may be easily con- 

 ceived ; the general topic of remark and wonder was the negro's 

 offering. It was shewn to the ministers, among whom an apprehen- 

 sion, and even a doubt, was expressed that a substance so large and 

 round might not prove a real diamond ; they, however, sent it to the 

 treasury under a guard, and it was lodged in the deposit of the 

 jewel-room. 



On the next day, the Conde de Linhares sent for me, and related 

 all the circumstances which had come to his knowledge respecting 

 this famous jewel, adding, in a low tone of voice, that he had his 

 doubts about its proving a genuine diamond. His Excellency directed 

 me to attend at his office in a few hours, when letters from himself and 

 the other ministers to the Treasury should be given me *, for permis- 

 sion to see this invaluable gem, in order to determine what it really 

 was. Readily accepting a charge of so interesting a nature, I pre- 

 pared myself, and attended at the hour appointed, when I received 

 the letters, which I presented at the Treasury to an officer in waiting. 

 I was led through several apartments, in which much business 

 seemed to be transacting, to the grand chamber, where presided the 

 treasurer, attended by his secretaries. Having my letters in his hand, 

 he entered into some conversation with me relative to the subject ; 

 I was then shewn through other grand apartments hung with scarlet 

 and gold, and ornamented with figures as large as life, representing 

 justice holding the balance. In the inner room, to which we were 

 conducted, there were several strong chests with three locks each, 

 the keys of which were kept by three different officers, who were all 

 required to be present at the opening. One of these chests being 



* No person can be permitted to see the diamonds in the Treasury without a joint order 

 from the ministers to that effect. 



T 2 



