L29/565/13

Grantham, St. James's to Stepney, Dresden (draft, secret & most confidential) The King of Prussia had been informed by his Minister in Britain of the Imperial Courts pressing for an answer to the Insinuation Verbale. He was therefore informed that direct negotiation had been opened for the purpose of learning upon what terms the King's enemies would "listen to an accommodation". France knew that Britain offered the independency of America and the Treaty of Paris as the basis of a future treaty but that court produced so many exceptions "in the way of building on that Basis tho' they pretended to accept it, that they almost effaced every Trace of it". Grenville's resignation followed Fox's and Fitzherbert was ordered to Paris. Vergennes was asked for an explanation of the French propositions which he began to give but in an imperfect and limited manner. The offer of mediation and of opening a congress has been repeatedly pressed, but it is impossible at the moment to give a direct answer to it. The Court of Prussia has given many assurances that the appointment of Grenville gave no offence. The Court of Vienna thought "less liberally" and has attempted to influence the Czarina with the same views. Grantham, St. James's to Stepney, Dresden continued The Czarina's greatest occupation is in the Crimea. The "fairest Advances" have been made to Russia and the Empresses Maritime Code has been ready to be adopted in return for her support and also the prospect of alliance held out to her - all without effect. The Prussian King has been treated with the utmost confidence. Grantham imagines the Prussian King has a "personal dislike and rooted Jealousy of the Emperor and a fear of his influence at Petersburg". The Prussian King inclines to a alliance between Britain, Prussia, Russia and Denmark but is against its taking place during the present war. He prefers direct negotiation rather than mediation.

21 Sep 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Stepney, John,
Fox, Charles,
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
Grenville, Thomas,
de Vergennes, Count,
Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, general royalty, French, Prussians, treaties, Austrians, Russians, actions up to 1815, naval actions, Germany, Saxony, Westminster Saint James, Dresden, Britain, Paris, Prussia, Vienna, Crimea, Russia, St.Petersburg, Denmark, France