vigorously under any other,
that the choice lies between two extreme difficulties.

Under the pressure of your letter, which led us to imagine that
Lord Cornwallis is actually gone to Flanders, we have done and said
all that was in any shape likely to assist his situation there; at
the same time, from Wyndham's letter, and from the fall of
Valenciennes, it is possible that his journey may still have been
delayed. Instead, therefore, of writing to him in Flanders, as you
suggested, we have given a letter for him to Colonel Ross, who will
find him either on this or the other side of the water, and will be
best able to communicate to him whatever intelligence from hence it
is material for him to know.

They do not talk heartily here of Clairfayt's co-operating, though
they do not plainly refuse it; and I fear it is but too likely that
they will satisfy their dignity by keeping their army entirely
distinct from ours, a determination which may perhaps but too much
assist the views of the French, if they really make a vigorous
attack upon Holland. All that we could do by threats, entreaties,
and remonstrances, on this very important point we have done, and
will continue to repeat while we stay here.

Upon the subject of transferring the subsidy, I believe they are in
earnest when they say it is out of their power to engage for any
considerable subsidy from the empire to the King of Prussia; and if
it is true that they are now under the necessity of ascertaining
what are their means for the next campaign, it may be true that
they cannot act upon the uncertain speculation of receiving so much
from us as they could promise for the King of Prussia. I know not
whether I am right, but I have thought once or twice that Thugut
has spoken with some marks of dislike to-day to Comte Stahremberg,
whom he appears to suspect of having broached this proposition at
London; to prevent any confirmation of this suspicion, we have not
in any manner quoted Comte Stahremberg in our conferences; and as I
believe you are satisfied with him, I hope I misinterpret the word
or two which Thugut dropped upon this matter.

We are come back again (upon the failure of our overtures) to the
hearing of a reduced scale of military operations, an idea more
like a haberdasher of sma