minally his adviser, and the champion of the
Anglo-French _entente_. The ex-Bishop of Autun penned an eloquent
protest, which apparently had some effect, for he was not expelled until
March 1794.[168] Far more incisive was Chauvelin's complaint. We can
imagine his feelings when Grenville curtly declined to receive it.[169]
At the same time Grenville refused to discuss or explain the stoppage of
certain cargoes of grain destined for French ports. His private
correspondence with Auckland shows that this measure was due to the fear
that the French would store the corn for the use of the army that was
threatening Holland. That motive of course could not be disclosed to
Chauvelin; and Grenville declined to explain it at all until the
resolutions arrived at in Paris were clearly set forth.

On Sunday, 13th January, Chauvelin received from Lebrun a long despatch,
drawn up in less provoking terms than the last. He sought an informal
interview with Grenville, which was immediately granted. Grenville's
hitherto unpublished account of the interview may be quoted in full, as
it enables us to see the _nuances_ of the situation:

_Jan. 13, 1793._[170]

M. Chauvelin as soon as he came into my room began by stating
that he was desirous of explaining that all his steps subsequent
to the date of my letter of Dec. 31 had been taken in
consequence of positive instructions from the _Conseil
Executif_, given before they had received that letter. That they
had seen in that letter one thing which had been satisfactory to
them, notwithstanding the other things of which they might
complain--this was the assurance which enabled them to reject
the idea entertained by some persons in France of its being the
intention of the Government here to declare war at all events.
Under this assurance they had authorized him to give to their
answer a form which was not liable to the exceptions which had
before been taken. He then gave me the despatch from M. Le Brun.
When I had read it I told him only that the circumstances were
too critical for me to say anything as to its contents except to
refer him to the answer which I should be [_sic_] to give to it.

He then said that there was one other point which he was
desirous of mentioning. That one of the difficulties of the
present situation of the two Countries was the want of a proper