"In January, 1807," he says, "I received, through my friend J.D.Collier, a proposal from Mr.
Walter that I should take up my residence at Altona, and become The Times correspondent.

I was to receive from the editor of the 'Hamburger Correspondenten' all the public documents at his disposal, and was to have the benefit also of a mass of information, of which the restraints of the German Press did not permit him to avail himself.
The honorarium I was to receive was ample with my habits of life.

I gladly accepted the offer, and never repented having done so.

My acquaintance with Mr.Walter ripened into friendship, and lasted as long as he lived."[1] Mr.Robinson was forced to leave Germany by the Battle of Friedland and the Treaty of Tilsit, which resulted in the naval coalition against England.

Returning to London, he became foreign editor of The Times until the following year, when he proceeded to Spain as foreign correspondent.