L29/568/123

Fitzherbert, Paris to Grantham (copy) Encloses Scheme of the Orders proposed to be sent out by the French Court to their commanders in India (not present). Was unable to procure a copy until now. M. de Castries found two difficulties in the Sketch of Orders sent out by the East India Company transmitted in Grantham's No 19. The French Marine Minister had proposed alterations that were unacceptable. M. de Vergennes and M. de Rayneval were "perfectly aware of the Extravagence and Absurdity" of the propositions" and alterations were made. De Castries made two conditions. The one that Great Britain should define the respective limits of the territories of Hyder Ally and Mahommed Ally as they stood in 1776 and the other that the East India Company should annex to their instructions an additional article "directing their commanders to concert measures with the French Commanders for securing their Retreat" and should Pondicherry or Karikal be in the possession of Hyder, to procure "a proper place for the troops to retire to". Fitzherbert feels that 22nd Article for fixing the armistice in the East Indies might cause unnecessary bloodshed and proposed that cessation of hostilities should begin the moment that either party should receive the orders from their respective governments. As soon as the orders are prepared, M. de Castries proposes sending a messenger by sea and land and that it would be advantageous if the latter were to travel with a messenger from the East India Company. De Castries has proposed a convention between the two courts for recalling a proportion of their respective naval forces.

20 Feb 1783

From: 1776 To: 1783

item

Lucas,
Robinson, Thomas (2nd Baron Grantham),
Fitzherbert, Alleyn,
de Castries,
de Vergennes, Count,
de Rayneval, Gerard,
East India Company,
Ally, Hyder,
Ally, Mahommed

Foreign Secretary, political correspondence, Plenipotentiary, government orders, French, Indians, East India Company, central government, general, army, actions up to 1815, maritime transport, land transport, Paris, France, India, Britain, East Indies, Pondicherry, Karical