L29/568/13/1

Grantham, St. James's to Fitzherbert, Paris (No 6, Most secret & confidential) Grantham is pleased that the instructions had produced the effect of persuading Vergennes to go on with preparing the Propositions. Vergennes has sent M. Gerard de Rayneval to find out Britain's intentions and he has had several conferences with Grantham. Encloses a copy of the Note Confidentielle which Reyneval drew up as a memorandum and Grantham's remarks made upon it. The observations are only what might be done if approved by Cabinet. The next step on the part of France will be to discuss with Fitzherbert the specification of the several articles previously delivered to Mr Grenville. Fitzherbert is to receive Vergennes's project "ad referendum". The independency of America and the expense of the war is a "sufficient sacrifice" and nothing else should be expected. The importance of St. Lucia is well known to Fitzherbert. St. Vincent was at first added by the French to their claim. The retrocession of Dominica was the only exaction insisted upon in the West Indies. The southern coast of Newfoundland from Cape Ray to Cape Nay is not to be given up. Fitzherbert is to "give no hopes" of any allowance to fish and dry to the south or east of Cape Ray. Vergennes's notion of France acquiring an island in lieu of S. Pierre and Miquelon must come in the form of a full discussion. Regarding Africa, more information is needed. No division of Senegal should be admitted that would exclude Britain from the gum trade. In the East Indies, France must abide by the Treaty of Paris regarding Bengal. Chaudenagore and Masulipatam are not to be fortified - there is less objection at Pondicherry and Karical. It is important not to allow any "plan of arrondissement" near Pondicherry to extend so far as Gingi. Any mention of the French taking part in the concerns of Hyder Ally is to be discouraged. Fitzherbert is not to mention the settlement of Make' which the French had on the Malabar Coast, if it can be avoided. Encloses an advice on the limits of that settlement and also an abstract of the state of the English and French settlements at different periods (neither present). If Dunkirk has to be given up Fitzherbert is to emphasize the "great condensation of His Majesty" in giving it up. Reyneval had no authority to speak regarding Spain. If restitution is to be made to Holland, the Port of Trincomale' must not be given up. France would be advised to attempt to prevent the Mediating Courts from pressing in their plans for intervention. Most of the topics will need adjustment; the East Indies and Africa are the most difficult.

23 Sep 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

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Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
de Vergennes, Count,
de Rayneval, Gerard,
Grenville, Thomas,
George III

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, Plenipotentiary, French, Cabinet, actions up to 1815, fish, fishing, treaties, general royalty, Spanish, Dutch, Westminster Saint James, Paris, Britain, France, St.Lucia, St.Vincent, Dominica, West Indies, Newfoundland & Labrador, Cape Nay, Cape Ray, St.Pierre & Miquelon, Africa, Senegal, East Indies, Bengal, Chaudenagore, Masulipatam, Pondicherry, Karaikal, Gingee, Make', Malabar Coast, Dunkirk, Spain, Holland, Trincomalee