L29/559/14

Grantham, St. James's to Harris (Draft, No 17) (Marked 'Cy') Refers to correspondence between Simolin and Fox in which Simolin's wishes have been complied with. Grantham hoped "that the Court of Russia would have seen in a more favourable light; the fair Advances which the King was making towards meeting the wishes & seeking the Alliance of the Empress". It was difficult to see on what points the measure fell short of the Empress's expectations. An agreement to a new code of maritime conduct "cannot be the work of an instant". No detail is to be expected on an Ultimatum on the Terms of Peace when Great Britain is unable to judge "of the Extent of the Pretensions of her numerous & combined Enemies". As regards Gibraltar, "what could His Majesty have said being in Actual Possession of that important Fortress?" There is a need to overlook the inconsistencies of the Russian Court. The "artfull Designs of France, the Partiality of Austria and the Perseverance of the Dutch in their Contemptuous Treatment of the Empress" will hopefully open her eyes to the system Harris has suggested.

6 Sep 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

English

item

Lucas,
Robinson, Thomas (2nd Baron Grantham),
Harris, James,
de Simolin,
Fox,
George III,
Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia

political correspondence, CORRESPONDENCE, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, Russians, ROYALTY, naval ships, , French, Austrians, Dutch, St Petersburg, Westminster Saint James, Britain, Gibraltar, France, Austria, Holland, Russia