§ Jacob Wagner to Peter Muhlenberg. 13 September 1806, Department of State. “Mr. Harris the Consul at St. Petersburg has informed the Secretary of State, that the Cotton Manufactory at Alexanderofske, an institution established and supported by the Empress Doweger of Russia, intended expediting to [sic] Ships to Philadelphia, under the inducement of the priviledge, granted by the Emperor, of an exemption from duties on their return cargoes, being American productions.1 From the desire to encourage a demand for our Staple articles and the great probability that a report will be made to the Emperor of the result of the enterprize, the Secretary of State requests that yourself, Sir, and the Officers of the Customs will be pleased, by paying a favorable and particular attention to these Russian Ships, to leave nothing undone to impress those who may have charge of them with suitable ideas of our respect and accommodation to these Adventurers, as well as towards those who may chuse to follow them in the trade.”