(Private.)
Paris, July 9th, 1782.
Dear Charles,
You apologize for writing me only a few lines; I shall write you
still fewer, and make no apology; for after what has passed, I
count every minute that the messenger is getting ready to
return, as so much time lost, however it is employed. You are
sorry you have drawn me into a scrape; I know of none, at least
none that an honest man could keep out of, or need be either
sorry or ashamed to have got into; neither do I see what you
have to regret in any part of this business, farther than the
late hour in which it was done. You know my system upon that
subject, and how firmly it was my opinion that you should not
have lost one moment, to fight the battle with advantage, which,
with or without, everybody saw must be to be fought; but, as
long as it is fought honourably, it is sure to be successful in
the end, for one day or other, right will always come right.
I suppose I need not tell you that I have answered Lord
Shelburne's letter by the official information he desires,
adding to it "my fixed purpose firmly to decline any farther
prosecution of this business, and requesting him, as speedily as
may be, to lay before His Majesty, in all duty and humility, my
earnest and unalterable prayer that he will be graciously
pleased to recal me from the commission I am honoured with at
Paris."
I write too to beg my brother to press my immediate return. I
see by his letter he knows nothing of what has passed. If you
would show him my letter to you, at my request, under the
strictest confidence, he will be apprized of the true state much
sooner than if he waits till I come, when I shall certainly tell
him; this, however, is at your own choice, if you had rather
wait till I come.
Adieu. Pray thank Sheridan for his letter. I will write the
first moment my messenger is gone. Well, what a time to be out
of England! _et Montauciel n'y était pas!_ I don't think I can
quite forgive you. No news here. They say they have taken
eighteen transports from us, but they are not yet come into
Brest.
Yours most affectionately,
T. Grenville.