L29/560/7

Grantham, St. James's to Keith (No 17, draft) According to Keith's report the Emperor's views do not correspond to those of Russia. If troubles in Crimea lead to war, the part the Emperor will take will be decisive "of the Continental System of Europe". There is the prospect of him joining with Russia and assisting her in forming a new Eastern Empire and at the same time obtaining Bosnia, Servia or another part of the Turkish Empire or of extending his dominions along the eastern coast of the Adriatic or along the Danube This cannot be done without losing his alliance with France and "exciting the jealousy" of Prussia. He may be able to support the Empress "without becoming a party himself and keep well with France". The correspondence between the Emperor and the Czarina is extremely secret and "difficult to be penetrated". Grantham has "in strictest confidence" that His Imperial Majesty wrote to the Empress that "she might command his assistance as an Ally & a Friend, & look upon himself as her General, & his Troops as her own". Thinks the object of the correspondence must be the proposed measures against the Porte. Czarina "now wishes for rather than fears a Turkish War". She persuades herself that "neutrality on her part towards Great Britain would prevent the Bourbon Court from interfering, that the King of Prussia's advanced age would keep him quiet & that she would be at liberty to persue her own plans". She is "much embarassed by her Prussian Alliance" and treats Count Cobentzel "with as much distinction as she does M. Goertz with neglect". She has applied to the Court of Vienna for a Code of Maritime Law. Would have been a little while ago a "Phenomemnon in Politicks that the Court of Vienna should have been consulted" on such a subject. The Emperor is trying to extend his commerce and acquire a footing in the East Indies. If the Empress finds herself "frustrated in her views at Vienna" she may unite with Prussia. Whatever happens she will need Great Britain's friendship and may move towards an alliance with Britain and the Northern Powers.

27 Sep 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Keith, Robert Murray,
Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia,
Bourbon,
Cobentzel,
Goertz

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, Turks, Russians, Danube, Austrians, Prussians, French, central government, general, land warfare, naval warfare, general politics, general trade & industry, Vienna, Westminster Saint James, Russia, Crimea, Europe, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, France, Prussia, Britain, Asia