L29/568/30/1

Grantham, St. James's to Fitzherbert (No 14, copy) Observations on the Spanish and French Memorials have been confirmed by cabinet. Fitzherbert is to send M. de Vergennes the enclosed paper which explains His Majesty's intentions regarding the French Memorial. Vergennes will no doubt repeat that "Concessions in favour of America are no longer sacrifices made to France". Fitzherbert is to tell Vergennes that after the offer made to the American Commissioner and the consequences of a separation from the colonies, every arrangement short of the Treaty of Paris is proof of Britain's wish for peace. The King consents to an extension of the coast in Newfoundland upon which the French can catch and dry their fish and the omission of the restrictive clause in the 6th Article of the Treaty of Paris. The island of Bellisle a "more eligible possession" for Britain to allot to France than St. Pierre and Miquelon. The other Bellisle belongs to Labrador rather than Newfoundland. If a greater extent of coast is insisted upon, Cape Ray may be conceded as the ultimate point. If the River of Senegal is to belong to the French exclusively, Gambia must be as exclusively British. France may be assured of a free, secure and independent commerce in every part of India. At Bengal, by means of factories; on the coast of Orixa by a settlement at Masulipatam; on that of Coromandel by establishments at Pondicherry and Karical and on the Coast of Malabar by the possession of Make' and by a factory at Sural. French commerce is to be confined to the foreign trade. The state of things in 1754 is inapplicable to the present time; the French are not to interfere with the Country Powers. Only compensation for making a restitution of St. Lucia to France is the recovery of those islands France gained by war. The French proposition for keeping Dominica and St. Vincents is highly unreasonable. Dominica, on account of its wood and water must be insisted upon. Fitzherbert is to stress is the King's condensation in the abolition of the articles regarding Dunkirk. It is granted on the understanding that fortifications will not be erected there. Impossible to have the article of commerce arranged now. Enclosed papers (not present) will show how the French insisted upon the 8th and 9th articles of the Treaty of Commerce signed at Utrecht being recognized by Britain.

21 Oct 1782

From: 1754 To: 1782

item

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

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, Plenipotentiary, Spanish, French, Cabinet, political papers, general royalty, Americans, commissioner, treaties, peace and battles celebrations/commemorations, fish, fisheries, general rivers & waterways, trade and industry overseas, general, naval actions, water, Westminster Saint James, Britain, Spain, France, Paris, Newfoundland & Labrador, Belle Isle, St.Pierre & Miquelon, Labrador, Cape Ray, Senegal, Gambia, India, Bengal, Masulipatam, Coromandel Coast, Pondicherry, Karical, Malabar Coast, Make', Surat, St.Lucia, Dominica, St.Vincent, Dunkirk, Utrecht