St. James's Square, July 19th, 1794.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
Tom has, I know, mentioned to you the Commission which he has
undertaken--jointly with Lord Spencer--to endeavour to encourage
our Austrian allies to a little more exertion and energy, which,
after all the late events, I continue persuaded is _the only_
thing wanting to ensure success, instead of such a series of
retreats as the last month has shown. God knows whether they will
succeed; but it is an infinite satisfaction to me to see his
talents employed in the public service, and to be corresponding
with him on subjects of this nature. The rest of our public events
are just such as you see them in the papers.
Lord Cornwallis is returned, speaking highly of the Duke of York,
and far otherwise of the Austrian Generals, to whom he, and all
mankind in Flanders, impute all that has happened. It is a
whimsical circumstance, and hardly to have been foreseen, that in a
war which we carry on conjointly with Austria, the great want which
we experience should be that of Austrian Generals, of capacity
sufficient to command the excellent troops which are acting in the
Netherlands.
My American negotiation is, I think, going on promisingly. I have
nothing else to tell you; and am, indeed, so completely knocked up
by this last week's fagging, as hardly to be able to write at all.
This evening I am going to Dropmore, for a little respite.
Ever most affectionately yours,
G.