July 2nd, 1792.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
I have a whole budget of news for you, but I must begin with what
interests myself most, which is, the thanking you again for your
kindness to your _future sister_. I have told her of it, and she
feels it as she ought to do. You know I do not deal much in long
speeches, nor do you much delight in hearing or reading them; but I
am sure that you do me the justice to believe me not the less
sensible of all your affection to me, which I have experienced in
every stage of my life, and most of all on the most interesting
occasion of it. I feel that it is to you I owe my happiness.
When you give your directions to Froggatt, will you be so good as
to bid him put in Lord Camelford's name as the trustee.
Now for news. The "Gazette," which Goddard sends you, will tell you
of Lord Cornwallis's victory. We have this morning a letter from
Brooke at St. Helena, enclosing a "Madras Courier," with the
account of a second victory, followed by a peace, in which Tippoo
stipulates to cede _half his dominions_ to the allies, and to pay
them L3,500,000 for the expenses of the war, and to give his two
sons for hostages. Nothing can appear more complete; but I wait
with impatience for Lord Cornwallis's despatches, as the above
expression relative to the cessions is so very loose.
Lafayette has left his army to go to Paris, and has made a speech
to the Assembly, threatening them in pretty plain, though guarded
terms, with the resentment of his army, if they do not punish the
outrages of the 21st, and demolish the Jacobins. His friends moved
to refer his address to the _commission des douze_, which was
carried on the _appel nominal_ by 110 majority. He was afterwards
carried in triumph to the Tuileries by the National Guards. But the
Jacobins are not stunned, and much disturbance was expected in
Paris.
I take it for granted you have told my own news to Lady B., and
therefore do not trouble her with a letter. Will you be so good as
to say everything that is most kind to her, both from Anne and
myself.
Ever, my dear brother,
Most affectionately yours,
GRENVILLE.
Crowds of emigrants that were driven out of France by the massacres
that were going on there, night and day, swarmed into the streets of
London, where they wandered about in great distress. The majority of
these people were priests; and it was computed that the number of French
refugees that landed in England, between the 30th of August and the 1st
of October, amounted to nearly four thousand. Large subscriptions were
raised for their relief; but as it was essential that the protection
extended to them should not be abused, Lord Grenville turned his
attention to the necessity of providing some measure for regulating the
assistance they received, and guarding against any sinister advantage
the disaffected amongst them might be disposed to take of the asylum
which the free institutions of this country threw open to them. Here we
have the first suggestion of the Alien Bill, which, three months
afterwards, Lord Grenville introduced into Parliament.