34 To MARY BERRY 15 OCTOBER 1793 Yesterday there seemed to be some stop put to the breaking up of our camps, but no reason assigned.26 The papers choose too to make the Prince de Saxe-Cobourg meditate an attack on the strong camp at Mau­ beuge;27 but I have been told and think it more probable, that he will endeavour to starve them to a surrender—He did not approve of the last vivacity at Dunkirk;28 and as the French affairs become more des­ perate every day, some patience may be the wisest measure—but I will not reason on what I do not understand, nor on what I do not know au­ thentically—I see I mistake something or other every post. I thought the King of Prussia going off—today he has made a new treaty with us— if that is any security.20—Adieu! The postman puts an end to my idle speculations—but, Scarborough forever! with three huzzas!

Letter from Angers, Sept. 24,' in The Lon­ He camped before Dunkirk 22 Aug.; 'on don Chronicle 15-17 Oct. 1793, Ixxiv. 376. the 24th, his Royal Highness attacked the According to the report, the Royalist army French, and drove them with some loss into of 160,000 men inflicted severe casualties on the town. . . . The siege, which began with the Republican forces 14-18 Sept. some prospect of success, soon wore a very 26. 'Orders were issued on Monday from dubious appearance.' The French received the War Office to the commanders of the reinforcements, and, after defeating the different encampments, desiring them not Hanoverian army (the Duke of York's to break up the camps [and proceed to win­ covering army) under the command of ter quarters] at so early a period as was in­ Field Marshal Freytag, made it necessary tended. These orders are in consequence of for the Duke of York to raise the siege early the menaces of the French, who threaten in September (Annual Register 1793 pt i. this country with an invasion' (Morning 272-4; London Chronicle 10-12 Sept. 1793, Post 16 Oct. 1793). Ixxiv. 255-6). 27. 'Tuesday [15 Oct.] advices were re­ 29. HW refers to a convention signed 14 ceived in town from the headquarters of the July 1793 'at the camp before Mayence, by Prince of Saxe-Cobourg, of as late a date as the Earl of Yarmouth and the Marquis de the 12th instant. . . . A supposition was en­ Lucchesini, on the part of their Britannic tertained that the French meant to capitu­ and Prussian Majesties, to the following ef­ late. The Prince of Saxe-Cobourg, however, fect: "As the object of the war is to bring was making every disposition for an attack, about such a form of government in which was expected to take place in two or as shall ensure security and tranquillity to three days. If the French stood the attack, all Europe, the contracting parties bind the affair would be bloody on both sides; themselves not to lay down their arms but but on the part of the Austrians no doubt by common consent"' (Morning Post 17 was entertained of success' (London Chron­ Oct. 1793; London Chronicle 15-17 Oct. icle 15-17 Oct. 1793, Ixxiv. 375). 1793, Ixxiv. 374). HW's qualms concerning 28. The Duke of York, in command of the security of the agreement were doubt­ the British forces, separated from the less caused by Prussia's recent treatment Prince of Saxe-Coburg after they had of Poland. taken , and besieged Dunkirk.