CANNING

(1741-1813, Governor of the Bank of England), marked 'Private', as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs to Lord Grenville, (1796-1799), saying that Count Starhemberg, the Imperial Minister, has complained to Lord Grenville of the violation of his privileges... by the arrest of Count de Waldstein... attached to his Mission... at the instance of Mr Raikes the correspondent of Englebarts and Lack at Hamburgh, Waldstein is now in Winchester County Gaol and Starhemberg is demanding the relevant Attorney &c be punished for this outrage against the Law of Nations &c &c, Lord Grenville wishes this delicate situation to be settled quickly and privately... taking it for granted that you are the Mr. Raikes in question, if not, I have only to ask your pardon for having given you the trouble of reading so far, and asking (if you happen to be able to do so ) which is the Mr Raikes to whom application is properly to be made, talking about the privilege involved, I am to instruct you therefore whether it would not be more prudent to withdraw the suit, without any formal interference from the Government, than to push it to a prosecution on the part of the Crown, especially as an omission in the arrest warrant has been rectified, he repeats his apologies, sure that Raikes will do justice to Lord Grenville's anxiety to have a business of this nature arranged without official interference..., 5 sides 4to, '27th February Received and Answered' on side 6, Downing Street, 27th February