When I was in London last November & December I amused myself often, by running into Booksellers Shops, and purchasing now and then a Book, which I had occasion for. My Son who was lately in London had them embarked for Rotterdam, where, I was last night informed they are arrived.1

It was said that they must be entered at the Custom House, and that a Value must be set upon them by the owner, and that five Per Cent must be paid, upon their Value: But I Suppose it was not known that they belonged to me.

I dont imagine, that Books thus imported by a foreign Minister, for his own use, and by no means with any View to Sell again, are liable to any Duty or Impost for Entry, or any other Cause, but as I may be mistaken in this, I beg the Favour of your Advice. I am very willing to pay, if the Laws require it, and other foreign Ministers pay the Same: But if they have a Preregative in Such Case, or an Indulgence to be exempted from Payment, I Should wish for the Same. If the Duties must be paid, I know not how to Sett a Value upon them, because as they were purchased in Small Parcells and at many different times and paid for at the time, in haste, I kept no Account of them, and I absolutely dont know whether they cost me fifty Guineas or an hundred. There are two Chests and one Caise of them, marked I. A.—

With very great Respect I have the Honour / to be, Sir your most obedient and most humble / Servant

Je crois, qu’il ÿ a ún droit, qu’on paÿe a l’entree des livres, qúi viennent des païs etrangers, mais les Ministres públics en Sont exempts. Si Voús aviés presenté ún Memoire, poúr avoir un passeport, poúr les Caisses qúe voús attendés de l’Angleterre, il n’ÿ aúroit eú aúcúne difficulté; Aú defaút de ce Passeport, je suppose, qúe les Commis de la Douane ont exigé le payement des droits. Poúr y remedier, Monsieur, voús pourriés, presenter demain ún Memoire a leúrs Hautes Púissances, (qúe voús remettres a Monsr le President) dans leqúel voús designés les Caisses, qúe voús attendés avec des livres, et voús demandes ún Passeport, oú bien ún ordre a l’admirauté, de laisser passer librement ces effets, qúi voús appartiennent, sans payers des droits, ce qúi Sera accordé immediatement.1 Je Súis faché, de ceqúe ceci Voús a donné quelqúe embaras, mais quand on est dans ún païs etranger, on ne Scait pas toujours les formes úsitées. J’ai l’honneúr d’etre avec beaucoúp de respect / Monsieúr / Votre tres humble / et tres obeissant / Serviteúr.