r, notwithstanding that she secretly regarded these
successes with dissatisfaction, her finances were in such a condition of
derangement, that she was glad enough of an excuse for avoiding the
expenditure of a war. Nevertheless, up to the 1st of October, Mr.
Grenville did not feel quite sure of the issue. "Things," he observes,
"remain here still in a very undecided state. They are making vigorous
preparations, and holding very high language. At the same time, I still
think that they will not be disinclined to listen to proposals for
disarming."

Similar preparations were making in England; and in this unsettled and
rather menacing condition the negotiation remained, when Mr. Grenville
returned to England. In the course of the month, however, the Duke of
Dorset, who was the English Ambassador at Paris, brought the question to
a conclusion in a formal shape.

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

Whitehall, Oct. 24th, 1787.

My dear Brother,

Despatches were received yesterday from the Duke of Dorset and
Eden, with a project of a declaration and counter-declaration
for disarming, which the French Ministers were ready to sign.
These will be returned to them to-day with a few alterations,
but of such a nature, that I have myself little doubt of their
being agreed to without difficulty, in which case the whole
business will be immediately concluded, and in a manner which I
think highly satisfactory and honourable to us. You will,
however, naturally suppose that we feel a good deal of anxiety
till the thing is actually done, as some circumstances may arise
every hour to vary it. Although Amsterdam has formally
submitted, there is a fund of much ill-humour there; but I do
not think that much is to be apprehended from it, especially if
proper and vigorous measures are taken for the security and
protection of the present Government in Holland.

The alliance with the Republic will be begun upon immediately;
but it will not be a triple one, from considerations which have
originated not here, but there.

You will see in the papers, that the Bishop of Hereford is dead.
I immediately renewed the application to Pitt, on the subject of
Marylebone, and wrote to the Chancellor myself to state the warm
interest that we both take in Cleaver's advancement. I have this
moment received a note from Pitt, informing me