The “Mission” was, however, firmly believed in, and PITT was urged, but in vain, by the Duke of Richmond and others of the Government, to arrest FOX for high treason. The following extract from the _Political Memoranda of Francis, fifth Duke of Leeds, now first printed from the Originals in the British Museum; edited by Oscar Browning, for the Camden Society_, 1884, is an illustration of the rumours current at the time, and many years after. “Saty. 24 Novr. 1792. LORD ST. HELENS dined with me. After the Ladies were gone upstairs we conversed, for some time on Foreign affairs.... Speaking of the Russian business of last year he reprobated in the strongest terms the conduct of FOX in sending an agent, MR. ADAIR, to Petersburg to counteract the negociations of this Court at that of Russia. He told me he knew for certain that MR. ADAIR had shewn to some English merchants at Petersburg the Empress’ Picture set in diamonds which had been given to him. That it was not one of the sort usually given, but of much greater value, being set round with large Brilliants, and the whole Picture covered with a Table Diamond instead of Chrystal. That this was a present seldom made but on some very particular occasion or to some great favorite (I remember to have seen such a one in the possession of P. Orlow). LD. ST. H. thought it must have been worth six or seven thousand pounds, and of too much value probably to have been meant for MR. ADAIR. The conclusion we both very naturally drew from this circumstance was not very favorable to MR. FOX.” The following additional particulars relating to the connection between FOX and ADAIR may not be thought out of place here. They are extracted from the highly interesting and important _Croker Papers, being the Correspondence and Diaries, 1809–1830, of the Rt. Hon._ J. W. CROKER, _M.P., Edited by Louis J. Jennings. M.P._, 3 vols., 8vo., 1884.