L29/559/26

Grantham, St. James's to Harris (draft No 22) The King wishes to "cultivate the most intimate connexion with with Empress" and is concerned by prospect of disturbance in the East. Is sure that the Empress will easily put an end to any disturbance but should consequences spread then Russia can depend upon British friendship. (Marked 'Cy') Reiterates His Majesty's disappointment "at the want of energy in the Court of Russia". Expresses His Majesty's reliance on Harris's vigilance for making use of such occasions "to the formation & maintenance of real & permanent Union with the Northern Courts". The plans of the Empress are not sufficiently known to warrant any direct offer of assistance. By advices from Vienna, the Emperor seems "by no means dispos'd to keep pace with the Empress, & she may perhaps meet with such disappointments in her expectations from that Quarter, as to induce Her to resume a Connexion with Prussia". Prince Kaunitz has not been so anxious on the topic of mediation as he has been and by Harris's accounts the Russian Court looks on it as a secondary consideration. The French minister may have checked Kaunitz on the subject.

15 Oct 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Harris, James,
George III,
Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia,
Kaunitz, Prince

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, general royalty, Russians, Austrians, French, St.Petersburg, Westminster Saint James, Britain, Russia, Vienna, Austria, Prussia, France