Catalogue description Folio 8: Rondeau to Townshend. Orders from Czar that no news about his stay or his...

Folio 8: Rondeau to Townshend. Orders from Czar that no news about his stay or his leaving Moscow be mentioned on pain of death. He will not be persuaded to return here where he says there is nothing to be seen but marshes and water. Princess Nathalia very ill in Moscow, spitting 2 pounds of blood a day. Two physicians disgraced for prescribing medicine that a third disagreed with. Nevertheless she is on the mend. Baron Cedercreutz, the Swedish minister at Moscow, was not permitted to kiss the Czar's hand at his coronation and was very upset, as several other ministers had. Went with Noy, the first shipbuilder to come to Russia, to survey some men of war at Kronslot that were decaying. Dined with Admiral Gordon. Long description of boat building and differences between Russian and English ships. Ten English men of war will always be able to beat the whole of the Russian fleet and the Russians very unwilling to meet English ships. General Senaven to examine Kronslot to see whether it would be more convenient to switch trade there from St Petersburg. No news of Russians in Persia, who seem dissatisfied with their new conquest agreeing that they lose too many soldiers in the hot climate. Dated St Petersburg, 26 Aug 1728.