4 
PETERSBURG. 
CHAP. 
I. 
State of 
Public 
Affairs. 
Strange 
Conduct 
of the 
Emperor. 
After suffering a number of indignities, in 
common with others of our countrymen, during 
our residence in Petersburg ; about the middle 
of March, 1800, matters grew to such extre- 
mities, that our excellent Ambassador, Sir 
Charles (now Lord) Whitworth, found it neces- 
sary to advise us to go to Moscow. A passport 
had been denied for his courier to proceed with 
despatches to England. In answer to the 
demand made by our Minister for an expla- 
nation, it was stated to be the Emperors pleasure. 
In consequence of which, Sir Charles inclosed 
the note containing his demand, and the 
Emperor’s answer, in a letter to the English 
Government, which he committed to the post- 
office with very great doubts of its safety. 
In the mean time, every day brought with 
it some new example of the Sovereign s absur- 
dities and tyranny, which seemed to originate 
in absolute insanity. The sledge of Count 
Razumovsky was, by the Emperor’s order, 
broken into small pieces, while he stood by 
and directed the work. The horses had been 
found with it in the streets, without their 
driver. It happened to be of a blue colour ; 
and the Count’s servants wore red liveries: 
upon which a ukase was immediately published, 
