I scarce asked him any question as to the progress of his affairs, thinking it sufficient if by an intercourse with Dr. Franklin, I could help to bring on a settlement with the Colonies, upon which I always believed a conclusion with the other parties would in a great measure depend, both as to despatch and conditions. Even in this business, I had scarce taken any step since my last coming over in the end of May. It was impossible to do so, as Mr. Franklin seemed to attend to the expectation and issue of Mr. Grenville's powers and instructions; which he said were imperfect at first, and not completed at last to his satisfaction with respect to them. So that the Doctor did not incline to talk of business to me, and I had nothing to write, even if I had known the times when Mr. Grenville's couriers were despatched. The situation was not agreeable, but I could not help it. And I believe the Doctor was not pleased, although he said little to me on the subject."[1]
The formal reply of Vergennes to the proposals of the Cabinet now arrived in England. It was ambiguous in tone and to the effect that "in any new treaty which should refer to that in 1763, instead of saying that the Treaty of Paris should stand good, except in certain specified articles, he would rather express it, that the Treaty of Paris should be annulled, except in certain specified articles."[2] The variations in the treaty were so little particularized that it was evident that delay was intended by the Court of France and that the variations were purposely undefined. Such, as Grafton relates, was the opinion of the Cabinet, which at once resolved to continue to show a bold front towards France, and to persevere in the attempt of separating America from France by the offer of independence, and of using the grant of independence as the valuable consideration for favourable terms from the States.[3] They also resolved at a Cabinet meeting on the 26th of June, though probably contrary to Shelburne's views, to make another attempt
