OCCASIONAL INFLUENCE. 
7 
for a settlement in Holland.* * * § Grenville opposed this, and wrote at 
length to Pitt, stating his reasons for preferring to any guaranty a 
silent acquiescence by France in the events in Holland.f Harris, the 
foremost manipulator for England in the intrigues at The Hague, 
strongly urged a guaranty ,X while Eden, still friendly to France, 
thought the time was ripe for establishing an alliance between England, 
France, and Spain.§ Before Grenville’s letter could reach England, 
Pitt had come to a similar opinion in favor of silent acquiescence. || 
Grenville, having satisfied himself that France w T ould accept such a 
settlement, asked and obtained leave to return to London, leaving the 
formal conclusion in the hands of Eden. Negotiations were closed 
October 27 by the signing at Paris of a declaration and counter¬ 
declaration, It in which the French government stated that it had not 
had and did not have any idea of interfering in Holland, and agreed 
with England to a disarmament. It was the exact result desired by 
Grenville. He had not brought Pitt to this conclusion, for both had 
separately reached the same opinion, but probably the incident still 
further increased the confidence felt by Pitt in Grenville’s judgment. 
The letters between the two at this period are remarkable for their tone 
of sincere friendship and confidential intimacy. They are rather familiar 
letters of conference than diplomatic instructions, and are in marked 
contrast to the letters passing between Pitt and other diplomatic agents. 
Two days after Grenville left London on his journey to Paris, Pitt had 
written in regard to foreign jcertnplications : “ Let me know what you 
think of all this. Even in these two days I feel no small difference in 
not being able to have your opinion on things as they arise. ’ ’ ** Harris, 
Eden, and others interested in these negotiations noted Grenville’s 
aptitude for diplomacy, and were not slow to express their appreciation 
of his influence and their admiration for his intelligence. 
As yet, how T ever, Grenville was not a member of the Cabinet, nor is 
it to be understood that he was always consulted on questions of for¬ 
eign policy. His activities were principally directed toward the details 
of Parliamentary management, and in January, 1789, his services in this| 
field were rewarded by election to the speakership of the Commons. 
During the regency crisis of 1788-1789 Grenville vigorously supported/ 
* Pitt to Grenville, Sept. 23, 1787. Dropmore, III, 428. 
f Grenville to Pitt, Sept. 27, 1787. Ibid., 431. 
f Harris to Grenville, Oct. 5, 1787. Ibid., 437. 
§ Eden to Grenville, Oct. 10 and Dec. 6, 1787. Ibid., 438, 440. Also Eden to 
Pitt, Oct. 10, 1787. Auckland, I, 219. 
|| Pitt to Grenville, Sept. 28, 1787. Dropmore, III, 434. 
It For text see Parliamentary History , XXVI, 1264. 
**Pitt to Grenville, Sept. 23, 1787. Dropmore, III, 429. 
