He has decided to recall his cargo, along with the receipient's picture, as it seems that war is inevitable, "I should not care to go among the sans culottes". Politics obssesses everyone and the picture market suffers as a result. He has large sums owing him, if he can bring them in he will remain "snug & still".
Several sales approach,
Sir Joshua's, Bertoli's "wretched trash", the Orleans gallery and Calonni's, in which will be a very good
Teniers. He has not sold his
Cuyp, best landscape he has ever seen.