16 THE INFLUENCE OF GRENVILLE ON PITT’S FOREIGN POLICY. 
increased his demands at Sistovo until it was certain that Russia would 
secure a satisfactory peace. The English and Prussian diplomats at 
St. Petersburg with little delay yielded to the inevitable, and on July 22 
signed an agreement acquiescing in the terms fixed by Catherine II and 
even pledging that pressure would be brought to bear upon Turkey 
to enforce their acceptance.* * * § A little later the discussions at Sistovo 
were resumed and here also little difficulty was encountered in reaching 
a conclusion, though one more favorable to Austria than had at first 
been intended.f In the meantime, Frederick William’s disgust with 
English diplomacy had resulted in pushing him into a hastily conceived 
alliance with Austria. On July 25 the Vienna Convention was signed 
by Bischofswerder and Kaunitz for their respective states. J Grenville 
had hoped to bring Austria into the system of the Triple Alliance, and 
to isolate Russia, and even after it became evident that Russia could 
not be coerced, he looked to the realization of his project and urged 
Ewart to press it upon the court of Berlin.§ Auckland had written of 
this alliance : “I think it eligible for the Emperor, and highly eligible 
for us, but it seems to be evidently against the Prussian interests,”|| 
but Grenville in reply stated: “and yet even to his [the King of 
Prussia’s] interests rightly understood, a system of peace and a security 
for the continuance of the present state of power in Europe would 
surely be beneficial; and such I conceive would be the effects of this 
scheme, supposing it to succeed to our most sanguine expectations.’’ 
Grenville’s hopes were soon dashed to the ground. An alliance was 
signed, but England was not a party to it and found herself powerless 
to prevent it. “ The Vienna Convention, ’ ’ wrote Grenville, ‘ ‘ is ratified. 
We have thought it infinitely the best way to take the thing with a good 
grace, keeping ourselves out of the complicated difficulties into which 
His Prussian Majesty is plunging himself.’’** Yet the reverse to Eng¬ 
lish diplomacy was unmistakable, and every Englishman acquainted 
with the situation must have agreed with Auckland in the statement 
that “it is impossible not to feel to private conviction that the alliance 
between Austria and Prussia suspends in a great degree the cordiality 
and, in some measure, the effect of our alliance with the latter.’’ff 
*Koch, XIV, 500-503. Prussia disclaimed any responsibility for the treaty, but 
did not disavow Goltz, her representative at St. Petersburg, who had signed it. 
t Keith to Grenville, Aug. 4, 1791. Keith, II, 469. 
t Koch, IV, 186 ; Sorel, II, 236-239 ; Sybel, I, 301^. The Vienna Convention was 
preliminary to the definitive treaty of Berlin, Feb. 7, 1792. 
§ Grenville to Ewart, July 26, 1791. Dropmore, II, 141. 
|j Auckland to Grenville, July 13, 1791. Ibid ., 129. 
1 [ Grenville to Auckland, July 22, 1791. Ibid ., 135. 
** Grenville to Auckland, Aug. 26, 1791. Ibid., 177. 
ft Auckland to Grenville, Aug. 31, 1791. Ibid., 180. 
