Folios 140-160: Stormont to Rochford. An important crisis has arisen, which may decide...

Folios 140-160: Stormont to Rochford. An important crisis has arisen, which may decide whether France and Britain become involved in war, which both would decline, provided they could do so with dignity and honour. He reports on a long conversation with Aiguillon, who said that Russia would attack Sweden, whether peace was made with Turkey or not, and he read out a report from Durand that Russia and Denmark would attack together. Russia hopes to compel the king of Sweden to restore the old constitution. He gives an outline of the plan of attack. Romanzow is to be recalled. Orlov is to take command. Aiguillon said Russia wanted to lay down the law everywhere, in Poland and to the Turks and he listed the gains insisted on by the Russians and refused by Turkey. He could not understand how Britain could be indifferent to the rise of Russia as a great commercial power. France must support Sweden. Stormont had said that Britain's attitude would depend upon the form French support took. One form she could not accept. Aiguillon said he could not understand why Britain had stood aside, when Poland was partitioned and Prussia gained so much, including a grip on Danzig. Why was Britain so sympathetic to Russia? Stormont had replied that Britain deplored the partition but that the only solution was to try to encourage differences between the three powers concerned. He then stated in the clearest terms, that, if a French fleet entered the Baltic, a British one would inevitably go there, regardless of Britain's views on Russia. On other means of French support of Sweden, Britain would have nothing to say. Aiguillon asked what other help could France give. A subsidy would be futile. France would lose her honour, if she did not help her ally. He said France could send 20 ships in a month's time. Stormont said Sandwich could do the same, which would counter-balance aid to Sweden. Neutrality by France and Britain would have the same effect. He never suggested that the British fleet would attack the French but incidents might occur. He denied that Britain's aim was to assist Russia. France could use troops to prevent Prussia moving against Sweden. Aiguillon asked for a definition of the Baltic and suggested that France could move troops by sea to Gothenburg and not pass through the Sound. He wished Britain and France to remain friends. Stormont said that the best solution was for France to press the king of Sweden to emend the constitution in a way that would satisfy Russia and Denmark. Aiguillon refused to interfere, said Panin's assurances were worthless. Stormont feared that Aiguillon had gone too far to draw back but that he might persuade Sweden not to ask for help. He warned that any signs of hesitation by the admiralty may encourage France to go too far and that any help for Russia must arise from a proper alliance.

Date and place: 1773 Mar 31 Paris.