Sept. 24th, 1796.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
We have again a report, which seems worthy of credit, of an action
at Montauban, on the 14th, previous to Jourdan's crossing the
Rhine, at Neuwied, in which he was totally defeated, and lost all
his cannon, &c. This seems to accord so well with dates and places,
that I have little doubt of the truth. It therefore only remains to
see what will become of Moreau. If he is dispatched, and that
quickly, there will be time and means to make Buonaparte suffer
severely for his late advanced move.
On the whole, the situation is, to be sure, very much improved
within these few weeks, but there is still enough for serious
alarm. The Directory has sent us the most insolent answer that can
be conceived; but as the substance of it is in some degree
ambiguous with respect to the main question of granting or refusing
the passport, it has been thought better not to leave a loop-hole
or pretence to them, or their adherents here, to lay upon us the
breaking the business off. Another note is therefore to be sent
to-day, by a flag of truce from Dover, in which the demand of the
passport is renewed in such terms as seem most likely to bring that
point to a distinct issue, ay or no. In other times, this last step
would have been not only superfluous, but humiliating; in the
present moment, the object of unanimity here in the great body of
the country, with respect to the large sacrifices they will be
called upon to make, is paramount to every other consideration.
I am extremely anxious to find that the plan in question may appear
practicable. The advantages of it would be infinite.
Ever most affectionately yours,
G.
The nature of the efforts which were making in England to sustain the
war may be partially inferred from the following letter. Lord Grenville,
it will be seen, notes with a mark of admiration a subscription of
L100,000 from the Duke of Bedford. The circumstance was singular and
significant, the Duke of Bedford having all along taken a leading part
in the House of Lords in opposition to hostilities, and in calling for
votes of censure and opprobrium upon the Ministry. He had been the chief
mover of all those resolutions that protested against the expenditure to
which the country had been put for the maintenance of the war, and now
he was one of the largest of the voluntary subscribers to a fund for its
continuance.