L29/560/23

Grantham, St. James's to Keith (Draft, Private A) It is impossible to impart details of events during the course of the negotiations. The French Court kept their own ambassadors of the "most friendly courts in perfect Darkness upon the progress of the Negotiations since it began to take a serious turn" - from the middle of September. The first demands of France and Spain are "enormous". France tried to persuade Spain to relinquish all hopes of obtaining Gibraltar. Grantham feels pride in Gibraltar being preserved. Had the Mediation taken place by a Congress being held at Vienna it would have given Grantham the "greatest satisfaction" that the share Keith would have taken in it would have been "highly advantageous to the public and to the greatest credit" of Keith. Grantham questions what part if any Britain should take in any war in the east. All applications to the Northern Powers during the war have been fruitless. Is sure this gives them no right to expect anything very explicit from Britain at the moment. Commerce, the many new principles laid down and adopted by many nations, and the situation as regards America all require extensive consideration. Neutrality is the only part which can be taken. Uncertainty of Britain's situation which cannot "confirm Confidence either at home or abroad".

22 Feb 1783

From: 1783 To: 1783

item

Lucas,
Robinson, Thomas (2nd Baron Grantham),
Keith, Robert Murray

political correspondence, ambassador, Foreign Secretary, French, Spanish, WARS & TREATIES, TRADE & INDUSTRY, Vienna, Westminster Saint James, France, Spain, Gibraltar, Britain, American War of Independence