L29/559/50

Grantham, St. James's to Harris (Draft, 'B' private) Debate upon the Preliminaries took place on Monday. Were "hard run" in the House of Lords and beaten in the House of Commons. Lord North and Charles Fox have joined interests. House of Commons will probably declare the Articles inadequate. Particulars of the American Treaty and the foreign treaties "highly obnoxious to the old Ministry" although the "Nation is satisfyed with them". Grantham cannot foresee any good consequence of the event "A total want of confidence must ensue abroad". If Fox joins North he will "be quitted by some of his present supporters...while something is decided all Business must flag if not stand still.... Lord Shelburne, trusted too much to his measures, they were such as he pledged himself to pursue & has not varied from...Parliament, spoilt by long habits of Interest, gives no Credit to them". Grantham had not expected this end to his own office. "I know we had done the best, the very points which are found fault with here, are those which do not give satisfaction in France". Carlisle and Fox are talked of for the seals and the Duke of Portland for the Treasury. Grantham is concerned about chance of Northern Neutral Code being "brought upon the Carpet".

22 Feb 1783

From: 1783 To: 1783

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Harris, James,
Guilford, Francis North, 7th Baron,
Fox, Charles,
Shelburne, William Petty, 3rd Earl,
Carlisle,
Fox, Charles,
Portland, William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 3rd Duke

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, House of Lords, House of Commons, WARS & TREATIES, Foreign Office, general parliament, Treasury, letters, St.Petersburg, Westminster Saint James, American War of Independence