L29/568/3/1

Instructions from Grantham, St. James's to Fitzherbert, Brussels Thomas Grenville had been sent to the Court of France to make overtures of peace and to explain the basis upon which a negotiation for peace could be entered. Grenville, having made some progress, requested and obtained leave to return to England. Fitzherbert is to have full powers to treat. He is to read Grenville's instructions and to concentrate on those parts which appear to remain unexecuted. On his arrival at Paris, Fitzherbert is to inform Vergennes of the object of his mission and to assure him of Britain's desire for peace. Britain is willing to declare her intentions of acceding to the complete independancy of the thirteen American States and to cede the towns of New York and Charlestown together with the Province of Georgia provided that the Belligerent Powers restore things in "every quarter of the globe" to the state they were placed in by the Treaty of 1763. Fitzherbert will be authorised to present his Letter of Credence as soon as the French King names a person to go to the British Court as Minister. Importance of the French Court looking upon Fitzherbert as a continuation of Grenville's commission. The Ambassadors of Spain and Holland are to have the "fullest assurances" of Britain's desire for peace. Appointment of Richard Oswald to be Commissioner to treat with thirteen American States. Fitzherbert is to communicate regularly with Oswald. Fitzherbert is not to sign anything without special orders.

27 Jul 1782

From: 1763 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
Grenville, Thomas,
de Vergennes, Count,
Bourbon,
Oswald, Richard

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, Plenipotentiary, French, peace and battles celebrations/commemorations, Americans, treaties, letters, general royalty, ambassador, commissioner, government orders, Brussels, Westminster Saint James, France, England, Paris, New York City, Charlestown, Georgia [USA], Spain, Holland, Britain