George III | Autograph letter signed, approving a despatch to the Ambassador to France, 9 February 1803

George III

Autograph letter signed ("George R"), probably to the Foreign Secretary

approving a despatch to Lord Whitworth, ambassador to France, with advice on the treatment of Napoleon ("...the uniform conduct of the French Government since the conclusion of the Peace of Amiens fully warrants the contents of it. If any curb can be placed to the views of the First Consul it must be by a firm though temperate language..."), 1 page, 4to, integral blank, Queen's Palace [Kew], 9 February 1803

"...The King shall see with pleasure ... any moderation in the Counsels of the Thuilleries, though He does not expect it..."

GEORGE III WRITES ON THE APPOINTMENT OF AN AMBASSADOR TO NAPOLEONIC PARIS DURING THE BRIEF PEACE OF AMIENS. In this letter he expresses his scepticism about the future of peace with Napoleon less than a year after the Peace of Amiens was signed and five months after he had written to Napoleon introducing Whitworth as his ambassador (see lot 42). The despatch that originally accompanied this letter presumably governed Whitworth's interview with Napoleon on 18 February at which Napoleon accused Britain of breach of treaty for failing to evacuate Malta or Egypt. Whitworth's embassy effectively came to an end when Napoleon humiliated him before an audience of 200 at a reception at the Tuilleries on 13 March. "England wants war", he exclaimed, "but if they're the first to draw the sword, I'll be the last to sheathe it. They don't respect treaties."