L29/559/49

Grantham, St. James's to Harris (Draft ,'A' private) Harris might think Grantham "well satisfied" at having brought the country "to a state of Respite from the Danger which surrounded it. It is in vain that factions shall assert that the flourishing state of our Navy, ought to have encouraged a continuation of the war". America will gain independence - "whether that a gain or not, the wisest man will not pretend to say". In Newfoundland Grantham considers France a gainer. Recovery of Senegal to France. In West Indies Tobago remains to France. In the East Indies "our Superiority will be decided in that Part of ye world by the Peace that...there is nothing to fear from them. France's demands in that quarter excessive and now reduced to a trifle". Difficult to say whether a "more advantagous bargain" could have been made regarding Gibraltar. "Spain, notwithstanding what she really gets by ye war, makes a sad Figure in it". Spain is dependent on France. The Dutch do not gain by the war. "I cannot say that any of the Belligerent Powers sit down with any decisive advantages". Discusses prospect of alliance - cannot "advise any hasty measures". Grantham does not know yet who will come from Spain. Fitzherbert perhaps will go to Holland which will be an "arduous and delicate post". Munro would like the Secretaryship to the Embassy in Spain. Knows nothing on the parties at home - views will show when questions are asked on the Preliminaries.

20 Feb 1783

From: 1783 To: 1783

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Harris, James,
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
Munro

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, naval warfare, general, peace and battles celebrations/commemorations, WARS & TREATIES, French, Spanish, Dutch, St.Petersburg, Westminster Saint James, Newfoundland & Labrador, France, Senegal, West Indies, Tobago, Asia, Gibraltar, Spain, Holland, American War of Independence