hope we are
not too sanguine in thinking that the French are much too late for
their object, and that the result of this expedition will give us
fresh security. The interval is however unavoidably one of some
anxiety, and I confess I regret now Lord Cornwallis's security in
declining to receive any further reinforcements, though it is
seldom that a General fails _on that side_. All this can only be
with a view to the possibility of a general insurrection; for
without that their twelve hundred men are not worth a second
thought, and their arms are merely thrown away.

I see in their full force all the difficulties that might arise in
the contingency of Lord Cornwallis's death. But I trust that danger
is as remote as the death of any man can reasonably be said to be.
There would be much inconvenience in its being suspected or known
that he had a provisional successor named and resident on the spot,
because Irish speculation would extend the contingency thus
provided for, from the case of his death to that of his
resignation. The subject shall however be considered, and your name
shall certainly not be brought forward unless I see that the thing
would be wished; the only footing on which it is possible to place
so liberal and generous an offer.

God bless you.

No more news of Buonaparte or Nelson. I terribly fear that the
latter will do something _too_ desperate.

Austria and Russia are evidently, _at last_, preparing for war. But
we are now in the end of August, and with a very little more
hesitation and delay the possibility of acting this year is gone,
and then France _must_ use the _winter_ to divide us all by
separate negotiations.

In a subsequent letter, Lord Grenville again refers to the policy acted
upon by Lord Cornwallis in reference to the rebels.

With respect to the political system I had my doubts, and expressed
them to you, at the time that your opinions, formed I am sure every
way on much better means of judging than I have, was more
favourable to what was doing. But the experience is now, I am sorry
to say it, wholly on my side, and I am every hour more and more
persuaded that the old rules are best, and that Government has not
gained, but lose extremely, by allowing traitors to treat with them
in a body, and to stipula