Jeremiah Allen to John Adams, July 29, 1790

Boston July 29. 1790

Sir

When I had the Honor of being with you, a Conversation turn’d upon
the Consul for Russia, I observed it would not do, unless some pay or Emolument, was
with it, as Consuls at S t. Petersburg by Custom Were
obliged, to Ride with four Horses, Merchants by Law forbid to Ride with more then
two

since my Return some of my Friends have advised me, to apply for
the appointment, I think if it was consistent, and I could be appointed for Russia,
Sweden & Denmark perhaps something might be allowed untill the Consulage was
sufficient— It was Judge Dana’s Opinion, that one Consul for those Powers would be
Competant to every purpose

Your Excellency knows that all Ships going into the Baltic must
enter at Elsinuer

If a General War takes place, it may be Well for the Continent to
have a Person, in the Northern part of Europe to be on the Watch, to take any advantage
that chance may throw in the Way for the benefit of the Commerce of this Country— I
recollect when I had the Honor of a Conversation with Your Excellency at M r Jays, you observed that every Man, who Wishd an office,
ought to apply, and that applications Were pleasing, therefore I address myself to you,
the Reasons why I apply are, when I went to Russia, I was the First American. whos Name
was enter’d at the Custom House, and put into the Gazette—in Consequince the Dutchess of
Kingston sent for me, and by my means sent Her Ship to Boston, which opend the Trade—
When I arrived, I advertized in the papers that I would give every information Relative
to the Trade &c M r Cabot had a Ship going there, I wrote a letter to Prince de Narisken, Master of the Empresss Horse—setting
forth, that Our Captains Were unacquainted with the Trade, and in case of any mistake,
Requested him to befriend them— 1

That Letter he got the English Minister M r Fizt Herbert to translate into French, and a Merchant who understood Russ. to
translate it into that Language, and shew them to The Empress, She told him, to Inform
me, that every indulgence, that was reasonable should be granted— after I went again to
Russia, and carried a present for The Empress of diffirent Birds & Squrrells

She Received them Graciously, and sent word if I had any favor to
ask of the Government it should be granted, I reply’d to the Nobleman that personally, I
had nothing to ask, perhaps my Country might, at a future period— from these
Circumstances, presuming upon your Friendship and Judgment, I request the favor, that
you will be so good, as to mention my Request to The President, shew him this, or an
Extract if proper, for which I shall ever Esteem myself under the greatest Obligation to
you— I have neither Wrote or Spoke to any person upon the Subject before—it will be
adding to the favor if Your Excellency will condecend to Write a line what I may expect,
or if necessary for me to go to New York— M rs Browne joins
in Respects to you and M rs Adams

I take the liberty to enclose a list of the Exports from Russia for
the Year 1786

I have the Honor / to be with Respect / and Esteem Your /
Excellency most Hum be. / and obedient serv t

Jeremiah Allen