L29/568/77

Fitzherbert, Paris to Grantham, London (private) Refers to Count d'Aranda's letter to Grantham and Grantham's reply. Does not know whether M. de Vergennes has received from M. de Rayneval "any positive statement" of the value of the territory Great Britain is content to procure for France on the coast of Coramandel. The public report both at Paris and at Versailles speaks unfavourably of "the probable upshot of the negotiation". Has been persuaded by Mr Oswald to defer asking the American Commissioners for an explanation of their sentiments as to the right which some of them think they possess to introduce additional clauses into the Treaty until Grantham's opinion is known. Mr Laurens was President of the Congress at the time they set aside Gen. Burgoyne's capitulation and was the principal agent and adviser in that "shameful business". Seems from motives of private interest he would equally set aside the present treaty. American Commissioners have shown "a striking proof of their want of delicacy.....having forwarded to America near a million of Livres by the Packet-Boat which our Government had furnished them with a passport for, under the express condition that it was to carry nothing but papers". Encloses copy of the Memorial (not present) that Fitzherbert has given to the Dutch Plenipotentiaries. The States of Holland are not to meet until the 7th January.

31 Dec 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

item

Lucas,
Grantham, Thomas Robinson, 2nd Baron,
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
D'Aranda, Count,
de Vergennes, Count,
de Rayneval, Gerard,
Oswald,
Laurens,
Burgoyne

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, letters, French, Americans, Dutch, commissioner, treaties, General, boats, naval ships, central government, general, political papers, Plenipotentiary, Paris, London, Britain, France, Coromandel Coast, Versailles, Holland