(Private.) St. James's Square, Aug. 26th, 1794.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
I have to acknowledge your private letters, which I do not attempt
to answer by this conveyance for obvious reasons, and only write
that you may not receive my public despatch without a line to tell
you that your private letters have reached me, and that I will
state to you, by a safer opportunity, what occurs to me upon them.
I am a little out of humour with you for not telling me how you
bore your journey, and how you are, but I am willing to hope it has
not renewed any symptoms of your former complaint. There never was
such a succession of cross-incidents as seem to have accompanied
every part of poor Merey's mission, and I fear his loss is a
serious one to us all. What do you think of Robespierre's death? I
look upon it as a very favourable event, not from any opinion that
I ever entertained of his personal talents, but because those who
succeed him are evidently under the necessity of lowering the
despotism of the Revolutionary Government, and of giving up thereby
the great instrument with which they worked. A strong proof of
this, and a circumstance very favourable in itself, is, that
instead of a Committee of six or eight efficient persons who
conducted the Government in all its branches, and with absolute
power, they have already been obliged to institute twelve
Committees, who are to be chosen with a sort of rotation, those who
go out not being re-eligible. This is, in fact, a substitution of
the weakest possible form of Executive Government in lieu of the
strongest.
God bless you, my dearest brother, and believe me
Ever most affectionately yours,
G.
We have received this morning accounts from Italy, mentioning the
reduction of Calvi. You will probably have heard it by this time.
It was in the beginning of this month of August, that the Duke of York,
at that time stationed at Breda, retreated before the French towards
Bois-le-Duc; and afterwards, upon the advance of General Pichegru,
crossed the Maese, and took up a fresh position near Grave. Seeing the
necessity of placing the conduct of the campaign in more experienced
hands, Ministers now proposed to give the command in chief to Lord
Cornwallis; but before this step could be finally resolved upon, it was
necessary to consult the feelings of His Majesty on the subject. Mr.
Pitt therefore submitted a statement to the King, assigning the reasons
which induced him to urge the appointment of Lord Cornwallis upon His
Majesty's consideration; and suggesting that Mr. Wyndham should be sent
on a mission to the army. The following was His Majesty's answer:
Weymouth, August 27th, 1704. Thirty-five minutes past One, P.M.
I have this instant received Mr. Pitt's letter accompanying the
Paper of Considerations, which I undoubtedly should wish to keep;
but not knowing whether Mr. Pitt has a fair copy of it, I have
thought it safest to return.
Whatever can give vigour to the remains of the campaign, I shall
certainly as a duty think it right not to withhold my consent; but
I own, in my son's place, I should beg my being allowed to return
home, if the command is given to Lord Cornwallis, though I should
not object to the command being entrusted to General Clairfayt.
From feeling this, I certainly will not write, but approve of Mr.
Wyndham's going to the army, and shall be happy if my son views
this in a different light than I should.
I will not delay the messenger, as I think no time ought to be lost
in forming some fixed plan, and that the measure of sending Mr.
Wyndham is every way advantageous.