Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L29/560/6
  • Title
    Grantham, St. James's to Keith (No 16, draft) The changes in the Empress's sentiments have "scarcely been credible". The first dispatches Grantham received described a spirit which if kept up would have been favourable to Great Britain. The Bourbon Courts "were to be addressed, that they might be reasonable in their demands, the Neutral Courts were to be applied to know to what lengths they would cooperate to force Holland into a separate Peace, Great Britain was not to be oppress'd". Her tone changed on the first appearance of troubles in the Crimea. Every step was taken to lead the Czarina to a "closer connexion" with the British court. Subsequent dispatches from Harris indicate that "nothing but good words and friendly expressions were to be depended upon from her". The Empress was told why an answer could not be given to the Insinuation Verbale. She was also told of Fitzherbert taking over from Grenville. This led her to see the "reasonable Measure of obtaining a knowledge of the Sentiments and Intentions of the king's many & combin'd enemys by a direct Negotiation". The Vice Chancellor has had orders from Empress to thank the King for this "distinguished mark of confidence and friendship" and to assure His Majesty "that the secret was safe in her Breast, and that her Regard for his Person & the British Nation was inviolable" and that she was quite happy with the reasons given for Britain not giving a complete answer to the Insinuation Verbale. Grantham doubts whether Court of Vienna would have expected the "same acquiescence" in the direct negotiations. It is unnecessary to keep Emperor informed of what he hear more quickly from Paris. Points out the "friendly Principles" upon which Mediation has been proposed and the "glory to be obtained" by having a share in bringing about peace.
  • Date free text
    27 Sep 1782
  • Production date
    From: 1782 To: 1782
  • Level of description
    item
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