L30/14/288/2

Sent from Jersey:

9 Aug 1782

From: 1782 To: 1782

Osborn troubles Grantham with this letter from Jersey in consequence of his former services in foreign courts, and of his desire to continue in that line of life. He began his profession abroad under Sir James Porter in 1764, then served as Charge d'Affaires at Brussels, and at Naples, and as Envoy Extraordinary at Dresden for several years. Has a pension of _800 a year to give up whenever he is employed abroad, and is willing to serve again either at Vienna, Lisbon, Naples, Florence or Turin. Grantham will of course have had many applications for the stations abroad, but Osborn asks that whoever Grantham recommends for employment abroad, he would also mention to the King Osborn's name, his former three stations and the present offer of his services to His Majesty in foreign courts. His having served three years in the military line would be of credit and use to him abroad. Came to Jersey only for a few weeks and will soon return to England, but his situation in Jersey has suggested an idea to him, that if Grantham has any business or any message to be transacted in France, he could easily return by Paris. M. de Vergennes would certainly allow him to land at a little village called Carteret en Normandie, opposite to Jersey, if Grantham could send a pass and an order to the commander at Carteret to permit him to land there and pass to Paris. M. de Vergennes was a particular friend of Sir James Porter at Constantinople, and always kept a correspondence with him in England. Thus Osborn does not doubt that he would be happy to show attention to any message Grantham might have to send by a person so much connected with Sir James Porter as Osborn has been. As this would be a temporary business, Osborn's pension would not cease until he had a more permanent situation, but he should not ask for any pay or emolument for anything he could do in France at present. Asks Grantham for an answer to be directed to his house in New Norfolk Street near Grosvenor Square, since his servant there will convey all his letters.

item

Porter, James,
Vergennes, de,
Osborn, John

Jersey, Brussels, Naples, Dresden