STATE PAPERS. 
‘does not increase them. -Could it 
not be possible that we should find 
some means of communication, of 
understanding each other, of com- 
ing nearer together? Ifthe French 
government would authorise any 
one to treat with us, it would find 
us disposed to listen to him, and to 
behave with cordiality and confi- 
dence. 
'H.B. Maret. You speak, Sir, ofa 
secret agent—I foresee the difficul- 
ty. You know that in France we 
profess a great respect for the pub- 
lic opinion, which constitutes the 
force of free governments, and 
which is a wholesome restraint up- 
on those who govern. This public 
opinion, however, is ready to de- 
mand of the Provisional Executive 
Council, why it has had the weak- 
ness not to require the recognition 
of the French Republic by Eng- 
land? Will it then be possible to 
‘treat with you by the means of ase- 
cret agent? we have here a Minis- 
ter Plenipotentiary, who has all the 
confidence of our government. 
Mr. Pitt. The question of a pub- 
lic character is precisely what we 
must avoid. Do not reject the sole 
means of bringing us together, and 
of making us understand eachother; 
-we shall then examine all the ques- 
“tions you propose to us, and all the 
propositions you may make us. 
H. B. Maret. lam about, Sir, to 
‘return to Paris, unless you think it 
better that I should send a trusty 
person, and that I should remain 
‘here to offer you every informa- 
tion that you may desire. I shall 
urge M. le Brun, if he thinks pro- 
per, to senda secret agent, to make 
- 
* This Letter was published by order 
“position of the Conduct.of the French Nation towards the English People.” 
193 
the person whom he shall choose to 
set out as soon as possible. 
Mr. Pitt. Why should it not be 
yourself? Do not lose an instant 
in sending to Paris: I assure you 
that every moment is precious— 
that nothing is more urgent: de- 
mand an immediate answer ; and as 
soon as you have received it, write 
to me to fix the time when you will 
come to communicate it to me,—L 
agreed. Mr. Pitt spoke to me again 
of Holland: I wished to speak to 
him of Monsieur Chauvelin: I ap- 
pealed to what had passed between 
our minister and Lord Grenville 
for a proof of our intentions, J made 
an eulogium on the conduct of our 
ambassador, and I saidit would cer- 
tainly be approved by you.u—The 
conversation was finishing; I was 
going to withdraw; Mr. Pitt de- 
tained me to speak on the Scheldt = 
I avoided all discussion on that sub- 
ject. He did not insist—and the 
decree of the 19th of November 
became the object of the last part 
of our conference. I used again the 
same language which I had done to 
M. T. W. If an interpretation of 
that kind were possible, its effects — 
would be excellent, said Mr. Pitt. 
I said no more, and left him *. 
Copy of a Letter written by Citizen 
By Olin to the Right Toridslb- 
able W. Pitt, dated Dec. 26th, 
1792. 
Sir, First year of the Republic. 
I RECEIVED, four days ago, a 
letter dated on the 15th of Decem- 
ber, from the Minister of foreign 
affairs in France, in which he makes 
no doubt that in the present circum- 
of the National Convention, in the ‘* Ex- 
M. 
Maret had another interview with Mr, Pitt on the 14th of December. 
VoL. XXXIV. 
N stances 
