For Henry Laurens, the translation of Observations marked, in France, a break in the despotism narrative initiated by Montesquieu and Turgot.

Porter's appointment stemmed from his connections with Carteret, Sir Thomas Robinson, ambassador in Vienna, and Mr Amyand of the Levant Company of merchants in Constantinople.

A self-educated man of science, during his time in Constantinople he wrote papers on astronomy and geology, as well as publishing his memoirs, a detailed and comprehensive description of life in Turkey.

[1] Porter then became British minister in Brussels in 1762 but, finding the lifestyle there too expensive, resigned his position in 1765 and retired to Richmond, near London, where his associates included a friend from his travels in Turkey, Lord Bessborough.

[3] Together, they were the parents of five children, three of whom survived childhood, including: Porter died at his home in Great Marlborough Street on 9 December 1776.