. . . I have this moment received the letter which you have done me the honour to write to me in reply to mine. As it coincides with my wishes as well as those of M. le comte Schouwalof, you may imagine, sir, that I shall not lose an instant in sending your letter to him, and that he will be as charmed with this good news as I am with the success of my negotiations. I congratulate myself upon it with all my heart.

It would be impossible to think more judiciously or more justly than what you have done me the honour to say concerning the general plan of the work in question. I have the honour to be, sir, etc. . . .