L29/568/48

Grantham, St. James's to Fitzherbert, Paris (No 23, copy) Fitzherbert is to inform M. de Vergennes of the present state of the St. Eustatia business. The principles advanced by France are not to be allowed. Eustatia was not considered as a colony so much as an "entrepot" for the supply of Britain's enemies in the West Indies and North America. The object of the capture was to put an end to the practice rather than to subjugate the inhabitants. The pretence that private property is not liable to the fate of war is contradicted by France on the Coast of Africa and in Hudson's Bay. The manner in which the Marine Minister of France has threatened to make reprisals is "unjust and dangerous". Only principle to be allowed is that the French sufferers at the capture of St. Eustatia are to be indemnified. Other principle that reprisals are to be made on the inhabitants of Grenada is "denied in the strongest manner". Hopes that this subject might proceed no further.

19 Nov 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

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

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, Plenipotentiary, French, private buildings & land, actions up to 1815, Westminster Saint James, Paris, St.Eustatius, France, Britain, West Indies, North America, Africa, Canada, Grenada