s
to which you have so much better a claim, it has only been in
consequence of what you have said to me on that subject, and
subject always to any alteration in your feelings with respect
to it.

I am prevented from saying more than a few words on the
different questions you ask. I mentioned to you, in my other
letter, the line which has been taken here with respect to the
Russian fleet, and to their application for transports. The same
line ought certainly to be followed in Ireland; but I think it
would be very important, for your own security, in so delicate a
business, that you should, whenever you receive any intimation
of anything of the sort being likely to occur in Ireland,
immediately state the particular point to Lord Sydney, in order
to receive precise orders upon it, for you see the line of
distinction which we draw here is a nice one.

Our Dutch alliance has passed the States of Holland, where alone
any difficulty was apprehended, and will probably be signed in
about a week. It will be immediately followed by a treaty, by
which Prussia and we shall bind ourselves to guarantee to each
other our engagements with Holland; but this treaty will not
extend to any general alliance between this country and Prussia.
The reason for this is, the apprehension that such an alliance
would rivet the connection between the two Imperial Courts and
France. In the meantime, there is an entire and perfect
understanding between this Court and that of Berlin. We have no
very accurate knowledge of the views of Spain. She is certainly
arming, though to much less extent than is talked of. I imagine
that France is trying to persuade her to acquiesce in the
Porte's being compelled to submit to the present demands of the
two Imperial Courts, which seem confined to Oxacow, Belgrade,
and some pecuniary compensation for the expense incurred. But I
think the Porte will clearly not submit to this, till she has
tried the success of one campaign; and what part Spain may take
in this event it is not easy to say.

Our accounts from India, by the 'Ravensworth,' are in general,
very good; but we are a little uneasy, on account of Tippoo, who
had made peace with the Marattas, and was collecting his forces
with a view of attacking the Nizam, or the Raja of Gravancore,
whom we must protect,