L29/560/15

Grantham, St. James's to Keith, Vienna and Harris, St. Petersburg (Draft) Grantham has been in conference with M. de Kaginech who had His Imperial Majesty's orders to renew an application for an answer to Insinuation Verbale. Grantham told Kaginech that when the Insinuation Verbale was made, Great Britain had accepted the offer of a mediation and at the same time had been involved in a direct negotiation for the purpose of learning the views of the King's enemies. Although negotiations are more advanced than before, nothing is yet settled as to make an answer "more requisite" than before. Any answer given would be together with the belligerent powers. Kaginech was unable to communicate any steps which may have been taken by France but assured Grantham that the Court of Versailles had almost entered into "Engagements to insist on concluding the Peace under the Auspices of the Mediating Powers". Grantham replied that the Court of Versailles and her ministers abroad had done everything in their power to persuade the mediating courts of their own adherence and of the British dislike to the plan of mediation. As "France professed a Desire for Peace as well as His Majesty, this was not a moment to entertain More Mistrust than a State of Rivalship & even Emnity might create". Grantham admitted the advantages of a mediation and the disadvantages of the terms, ceremonials and delays which were inseparable from it.

10 Dec 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Keith, Robert Murray,
de Kagenich,
George III

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, Austrians, general royalty, French, peace and battles celebrations/commemorations, Vienna, Westminster Saint James, Britain, France, Versailles