THE NEGOTIATIONS AT ULLE. 
57 
this occasion, I must feel at this particular moment his remaining in 
his situation absolutely essential, for he will be able to stave off many 
farther humiliations that might be attempted from having shown a mind 
jealous of what seems in the outset an attempt to draw us into future 
embarrassments.” * * * § 
Unlike previous similar contests, the struggle in the Cabinet was this 
time generally known in political circles, and surmises were frequent as 
to the exact attitude of each member, f Meanwhile Austria had finally 
informed England of the terms of Leoben,| but Grenville was unable to 
use this to restore confidence in Austria, for the entire Cabinet, Gren¬ 
ville included, was angered by Thugut’s doubts of Austria’s ability 
repay the loans advanced during the war.§ Grenville was thus 
to fight his battle on the merits of the French negotiation, separate and 
distinct from any other question of foreign policy or alliance. 
Malmesbun^ was again the negotiator selected by Pitt, and he set out 
for Lille, where the conferences were to be held, fully convinced that 
Pitt was thoroughly in earnest in his proposals and that this time 
the concessions he was instructed to offer to France w r ould speedily result 
in a treaty of peace. || Pitt and his protege, Cannin g, were equally 
hopeful,and Pitt had given Malmesbury full powers to sign without 
reference to London, if the English terms were accepted.** The exact 
extent to which the English government was prepared to go cannot be 
stated authoritatively, but it seems probable that in compensation for 
French acquisitions in Belgium, Germany, and Italy, Pitt would have 
demanded, in the last resort, no more than Ceylon.ft Malmesbury’s 
first offer to the French negotiators specified also the Cape of Goo 
*Dropmore, III, 330. 
f Elliot wrote to Lady Elliot June 17, 1797: “Pitt differs with Lord Grenville 
and Dundas with both ; in short, all is in great confusion.” Elliot, II, 408. Later 
Elliot though^ Dundas occupying middle ground between Pitt and Grenville in 
holding out for the retention of the Cape and Ceylon, which Pitt would have 
yielded. Ibid ., 410. 
J Grenville to Woronzow, June 17, 1797. Dropmore, III, 331. 
§ Grenville to Stahremberg, July 4, 1797. Ibid., 332. 
|| Of Malmesbury’s going to Lille, the editor of Malmesbury’s memoirs says : 
“ Lord Grenville was decidedly opposed to this step, and long argued it with Pitt ; 
but the latter remained firm, repeatedly declaring that it was his duty as an Eng¬ 
lish Minister and a Christian, to use every effort to stop so bloody and wasting a 
war. He sent Lord Malmesbury to Lisle with the assurance that ‘ he (Pitt) would 
stifle every feeling of pride to the utmost to produce the desired result; ’ and Lord 
Malmesbury himself went upon his Mission, anxious to close his public life by an 
act which would spare so much misery, and restore so much happiness to mankind. ” 
Malmesbury, III, 369. 
Canning to Leigh, July 12, 1797. Ibid., 393. 
**Malmesbury to Pitt, July 6, 1797. Ibid., 378. 
ft While not definitely stated anywhere in the documents and memoirs pertaining 
to Lille, the indirect references to terms bear this out. See also Maret, 210, and 
Rose, I, 189. 
