n she embarked in a war. We must therefore go to it with
resolution, and I wish I could say with unanimity, for that
appears to me to be the one thing most wanted. The absence of so
many people from town, makes it impossible as yet to do more
than speculate on that subject, which is open to very great
difficulties. I need not say that you may rely on hearing from
me upon it as soon as there is anything to say, and above all,
that nothing will be wanting on my part to forward your wishes
to the utmost, as far as I know and understand them.

Believe me ever most truly and affectionately yours,
W. W. G.

Mr. Eden was at that time negotiating the matter in Paris; and although
the Government may have reposed implicit confidence in his discretion,
they appear to have felt that he did not possess a sufficiently accurate
knowledge of the complicated questions out of which this difficult
position had arisen, to enable him to act with the requisite caution and
promptitude. In order, therefore, to assist him through the
negotiations, in the hope of bringing about an honourable and
satisfactory peace, Mr. Grenville was requested to proceed to Paris.

MR. W. W. GRENVILLE TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Whitehall, Sept. 19th, 1787.

My dear Brother,

In Eden's account of the conversation, in which M. de Montmorin
notified to him the intention of France to assist their friends
against the Duke of Brunswick's army, he mentions that an
intimation was made of a strong wish on their part that means
might yet be found for an amicable conclusion of the business,
and a desire that the negotiation for that purpose might be
pursued with more activity than ever.

Although it is very doubtful whether this is anything more than
a _persiflage_, yet, as in their present situation their
resolution may change every hour, it has been thought, after
much consideration, that we ought so far to avail ourselves of
it, as to try whether anything can be done in this way, but, at
the same time, by no means to lessen or suspend our
preparations. One of the difficulties on this subject was Eden's
want of a competent knowledge of the points in dispute, to
enable him to discuss them thoroughly, and to bring them to
those short and distinct issues to which they must be reduced,
if anything is to be done upon them in the very litt