The Statesman.
London, England, 1814-11-21 00:00:00

8

Ist, A definition of blockade; and as far as might
be mutually agreed of other neutral and belligerent.
rights.
id, Claims of indemnity ht certain cases of cap:,
ture and keizore.
We then stated that the two subjects, lit of In.
dian pacification and boundary ; and VA, of fisheries,
were not embraced by our instructions.
We observed, that as these points had not been,
heretofore the grounds of any controversy between
thiGorertnaent of Great Britain and that of the.
United States, and had not been alluded to by Lord
•Custleresgh, in his letter proposing the mitteciallort,
it could nollrbe expected that they should base bee"
anticipated and made the subject of instructloas by
our Government ; that it was natural to be supposed

that our instructions, were confined to those 'abject* until was admitted as a _
that
that we
upon which differences between the two countries bad no power to cede to the Indians any part of our
were known to exist ; and that the proposition to territory, we thought it unnecessary to ask, what .
define, in a Treaty between the Limited States and probably would • not have been answered till the ;
Great Britain, the boundary of the Indian pusessinns ' principle was admitted, where the line of demerit*.
within oar territories, was sew and without example. i lion of the Indian country was proposed to be esti'.
No such prorisons had been inserted in the Treaty iblished ?
of Peace is 1783, nor in any other treaty between The British Commissioners, after baying repeated ;
the two countries—no sorb provision bad, to our , that their instructions on the subject of the Indians ;
knowledge, ever been inserted in anytaaty made by i were peremptory, stated, that unless we could give .
Great Britain or any other European power in re t. ' some assurance, that our powers would allow us to
tion to same description of people, existing seder make at least a provisional arrangement. on the sob. i
like circumstances. ject, any further discussion would be fruitless, and I
We would say, however, that it would not be that they must consols their own Government on
doubted, that peace with the Indians would certainly this state of things. They proposed accordingly a I
follow a peace with Great Britain—that we• had suspension of the conferences, until they should I
information that Commissionirs had already been ap. have received an answer, it being understood 'that
pointed to treat with them ; that a Treaty to that , each palsy might call a meeting whenever they had
effect might, petite's, have been already concluded— any proposition to submit. They dispatched a spit.
and that tee United States baring no interest, nor cis! messenger the same evening, and we are no*
any .motive to continue a separate war against the i waiting for the result.
Indians, there.could never be a moment when our'. Before the proposed adjournmeift,toek place, It
Government would not be disposed to make peace ° was agreed,. that there should be a protocol of the
with them. conferences; that a statement shouldi Per that put- 4
We then expressed our wish to receive from the •port, be drawn up by each party, and that we should 1
British Commissioners a statement of the views and *twit the nest Jay to compare the statements.
objects of Great. Britain upon all the points, and our • .We accordingly met again on Wednesday, the 10th
willingness to discuss them all, in order that, even instant, and ultimately agreed upon what should
if no arrangement should be agreed on, epon the : constitute the protocol of the confertetces. A copy
points not included in our instructions, the Gowen,. lof this instrument we have the honour to transmit
awn of the United States might be possessed of the with this dispatch ; and we also enclosd a copy of the
undreamt precise intentions of that of Great Britain, statement originally drawn up on our pert, for the
respecting these points, and that the British Govern:. purpose of making known to you the • passages to
matt might be fully informed of the objections on which the British Commissioners objected.
depart of the United States to any such arrange-1 Their objection. to some of the passers was, that
moat. In answer to our remark,' that those points they appeared to be argumentative, and that the eb.
had not been alluded to by liftil Cavtleresgh, in his ject of the protocol was to contein a mere statement
litter propositogthe negotiation, it was said, that it., of facts. They, however, objected to the insertion
algid not aot W45110,0'4 that ins! letter, inerely.io! of the answer which they had given to our question
Ueda to Writes, negOttation, he sbould enumerate respecting the effect of the proposed Indite
the topics of discussion, or state the pretensions of boundary; hot they agreed to an alteration of their
bis Government, since Untie would depend upon ul. original proposition, on that subject, which renders
'tailor events, and might arise out of a subsequent it much more explicit than as stated, either in the
oat, of things. fitst conferente or in the proposed draught of the
In reply to our observation, that the proposed . protocol.
stipulation of an Indian boundary was without exam. ; They also objected to the insertion of the fact,
ple in the practice of European nations, it was as. I.lhat they hid proposed to adjourn the conference)
serted, that the Indians must in some sort be consi. until they could obtain further instructions from
dared an independent peal* since treaties were their Government. The return of their messengetl
made with them, both by Great Britain and by the may, perhaps, disclose the motive of their reluctance
United States ; upon which we pointed out the oh. in that respect.—We have the honour to be, very re.'
vious and important difference between the treaties , speed& iy, Sir, your humble and obedient sensate,
we might make with Indians, living in our territory, (Signed) JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, S. A. 15ATfatt,
.
and such a treaty u was proposed to be made, ewe H. CLAY, JONA. RUSSELL. ' •
pit
sting them, with a foreign Power, who had sa.
•
lemnly acknowledged the territory on which they PROTOCOL OF CONFF.RENCIL
resided to be part of the United States. DRAUGHT OF ORIGINAL PROTOCOL MADE IT TUE
We were then asked by the British Commissioners , AMERICAN MINISTEIti, Of TUE TWO FIRS.T CON.
whether, in case they should enter further upon the ; FERENCES HELD WITH THE BRITI•11 COMMISSIONERS.
discussion of the several points which had been i At a Meeting between the Commissioners of his
stated, we could expect that it would terminate by ' Britannic Majesty and those of the United States of
some provisional arrangement on the points on which America, for negotiating and concluding a peace,
'we had no instructions, particularly on that re- held at Ghent, Bth August, 1814, the following•
sPectine the Indians, which arrangement would be points were presented by the Convanksioners on the
subject to the ratification of our Goiernment ? part of Greet Britain as.subjects for discussion :
We answered, that before the subjects were dis-ii "1. The forcible seizure of mariners on board of
tinctly understood and the objects in view more pre. merchant vessels, and the claim of allegiance of his
'risely disclosed, we could not decide whether it would Britannic Majesty upon all the native-born subjects
be possihh. to form any satisfactory article on the . of Great Britain..
subject; nor pledge ourselves as to the exercise of a ; "2. The Indian Allies of Great Britain to be hi.
discretion under our powers, even with respect to a chided in the pacification, and a boundary to be set.
provisional agreement. We added, that as we tied between the dominions of the Indians and those,
should deeply deplore a rupture of the negociation ,of the United States. Both parts of this point are,
on any point, it was our anxious desire to. employ , considered by the British Government as a sine pus
all possible means to avert an event so serious in its non to the conclusidn of a Treaty. 1t
consequences; and that we had not been without , 46 3. The revision of the boundary line between
holies that e discussion might correct the effect army : the territories of the United States and those of Greatl
ni information which the British Government Britain adjoinieg them in North America.
might have received on the subject, which they had I • " 4. The Fisheries, respecting which the British.
proposed as a prelintitiery basis. 1 Government will not allow the people of the United
We took this opportunity to remark; that no ' States the privilege of landing and drying fish within
station observed a policy more liberal and humane the territorial jurisdiction of Great Britain without
towards the Indians than that pursued by the United an equivalent."
States ; that our object had been, by all practicable American Commissioners were requested to say,
means, to introduce civilisation amongst them ; that whether their instructions from their Government,
their possessions were saluted to them by well.de. aothorised them to treat upon these several points;
fined boundaries; that their pinatas, lands, and and to state on their part such other points as they
ether property, were new more eirecteelly protected might be further instructed to propose fur discus
against violence or frauds from any-qoarter, than sion.
they had been under any former Government • that The meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, the Stir
even our citizens were not allowed to, perches; their,! el August, on which day the Commissioners met
lauds: that when they gave up their title to any par:twin. •
lion of'
their country to the United SWIM, it wul byj The American Commissioners at this meeting
voloottry treaty with our Government, irk gam stated, that upon the first and third points proposed
them a satisfactory equivalent ; and that 414400 by the British Commissioners, they were provided
these means the United States had succeeded in pee.' with instructions from their Government; and that
serving, since the Treaty of Grenville of 1795, as on the second and fourth of these points, there
uninterrupted peace of 16 years with'.!! the Indian having not existed heretofore any differences between
tribes—a period of tranquillity mach longer than the two Governments, they had not been anticipated
they were known to have enjoyed heretofore. I by the Government of the United States, and were,
It was then expressly stated on our part, that the therefore, not provided for in their instructions.
proposition respecting the Wiens was not distinctly i That in relation to an Indian pacification, they knew
understood. We asked, whether the pacification, that the Government of the United States, had sp-
end the settlement of a boundary for them were both I pointed Commissioners to treat of peace with the
made a sine qua non Which'was answered In the ! Indians; and that it was not improbable that peace
affirmative. The question was then asked the Rd. I bad been made with them.
tish Commissioners, • whether the proposed Indian The American Commissioners presented as further
boundary was intended to preclude the United States , points (subjects) considered by the Government of
from the right of purchasing by treaty from the In.. the United States as suitable for discussion.
drain nithout the consent of Great Britain, lands I .66 1. A definition of blockade, and, as far as may
beyond that boundary ? And as a restriction upon IS agreed, of other neutral and belligerent rights.
the Indians from selling, by amicable treaties, lands,' "2. Certain claims of indemnity to individuals for
to the. United States, as had been hitherto practised? captures and seizures preceding and subject to the
To this question, it was first answered by one of the ' war.
Commissioners, that the Indians would not be re, "3: They further stated, that there were various
stricted from selling their lands, but that the United other points to which their instructions extended,
States would be restricted from purchasing them ; i which might with propriety be objects of discussion,
and on reflection, another of the Commissioners either In the negociation of the peace or in that of a
stated, that it was intended that the Indian territories treaty' of commerce, which in case of a propitious

THE STATISM/oi.

~:ar.-...3------------ --
should be a barrier between the British 'dominions termination, of .the present conferences they WON'
and those of the United States; that both Great-Bri- like-gale, authorised to conclude. That for the per-
.taintandthe -Piked AfateS shbuid be restricted from posissf facilitating the first and** misential object
purchasing titeir lands ; but that the Indians might of pas*, suy had discarded every-subject which was,
sell them to a thltd party. Riot cnissidired as peculiarly connected with that, and
', The proposition respecting Indian boundary, thus presented only those points which appeared to be
explained, and connected with the tight of sore- immediately relevant to this negociation."
reiguty ascribed .to the Indians over the country, ! Toe American Commissioners expressed theft wish
'amounted to nothing less than a demand of the ab- to receive horn. the British Carnmissioners a state-
iolute cession of the rights both of sovereignty and;. went of the views and objects of Great Britain upon
of soil. We cannotabstein from remarking to you, alt the points, and their willingness to discuss them
that the Subject (of Indian boundary) was indistinctly ; all, In order that If no arrangement could be agreed
stated when first proposed, and that the explanationi : tei upon the points not in their Instructions, which
were at first obscure and always given with reluctance. would come within the scope of the powers commit.
And it was declared from the first moment to be a ted to their discretion, the Government of the
sine qua aim, rendering any discussion unprofitable United States might be put in posseision ..or thee's..
--.
basis.
- it G -- t Britain

deity immediately to apprise you, by !hi
correct sketch of bur last consequence,
at present any hope of peace.
JOHN Q. ADAMS, JONA. RUS
J. A. BAYARD, ALBERT
11. CLAY,

NOTE OF TUE BRITISH COMMISSI
[RECEIVED AFTER THE ABOVE LETTER WA.
The undersigned Illenipotentiaries of his
Majesty tin themselves the honour of act,
Plenipotentiaries of the United S ates, that
communicated to they Court the result
ference which they had the honour of In
them on the 9th inst. in which they stated
were unprovided with any sperifir Josh-tic,
comprehending the Indian nations in
Peace to be made with Great Britain,

tire and precise intentions of that of .irea. Ata,_
with regard to such points ; and that the British 00: fitting a boundary to .the Indian territory
dersigoed are instructed to acquaint the.
vernment might be. fully informed of the 'obiections-
restoralon en
on the part of the United States iu any sunk as. dories of the United States, that his MI
~ vernnient Wing, at the outset of the •
rangement. .
They, the American Commissioners, were asked—,
Whether (if those of Great Britain should enter fur. ("InitClotl mvi if:r.fit°stph'eiaistrilliedibe number of pi
ther upon the discussion, particularly respecting the discussed, and having professed themselvi
Indian, boundary) the American Commissioners could Forage, on some importent topics, any stn
expect it would terminate by some provisional ar-
the advantage of Gre;tt tii-hai.i„ cannot h
rangement which they could conclude, subject to the surprise that the. Government of the I/
ratification of their Government? should not have furisiskod their nen
They that as asjermngement to which withr
:they mad agree upon the subject, must be.with spe. hardly fail to come under discussion.
1 cific authority from their own Government, it was Under the imibility of the American
not possible for them, previous to discussion, to de- navies, to conclude any article
sawn tl
side whether an article oil the subject could be formed Indian pacification and India', boundary,
which would be mutually satisfactory, and to which ; bind the Government of the United Stagy
they should think themselves, under the discretionary : jesty's Government conceive that they
powers, justified in acceding. better proof of their siticere'ciesire for thk
The British Commissioners declined entering upon of peace, than by professing their Willing'
:
the discussion, unless the American Commissioners cept a provision"! . aitide. upon those hea,
I would say; that they considered it within their dis. I event of the American Pleoipotentiaries
,
i cretion to make a provisional arrangement on the themselves authorised tai stcCede to the
1 subject, conformable to the view of it prescribed by 1 ciples upon which such an "Mile ought
L
the British Government, and proposed to adjourn ; id. With a view to enable the Ameri
the conferences for the purpose of consulting their i tentiaries to decide, how far (he conclusl
own Government on this state of things. i an article is within the !intik of their di
undersigned alai directed tentittrfully al
The British Commissioners were asked, whether it !
was understood as an effect of the proposed boindary', the basic .upon which atone Greet Sri(
for the Indians, that the United States would bep prospect of advantage in the contincancere- '
eluded from the right of purchasing territory from gociations at the present time.
die Indians within that boundary by amicable treaty.' The undersigned have already had the
with the Indians themselves, without the consent of stating to the American Plenipotentiaries,'
is,: sidering the points above referred mat a
Great Britain ?—And whether it was understood
operate as a restriction upon the Indians from ceding of any treaty of peace, the view of the
by such amicable treaties, lands to the United States, vernment is the permanent tranquillity
as have been hitherto practised? : of the Indian nations, and the prevent,
They answered, that it was understood, that the jealousies and irritations to which the fret!'
Indian territories should be a barrier between the thin of the Indian limits has fieretofore -,
British possessions and those of the United States; For this purpose, it is holispensiii
that the United States and Great Britain should both that the Indian nations, who have bee,
be restricted from such purchases of lands but that 'War in alliance %Oh Great Britain, sh
the Indians would not be restricted from selling to termination of the Isar, be Included in
any third party. . I firm. It is equally necessary, that a dei
(Signed) • -C. 11136111R5, Jan. ; Pry should he assigned to the Indians,
(Trne Copy.) See. to the.tdiutnii Extraordinary. I contracting pal tiet.should e . promote ale
The Meeting adjourned to Wednesday, loth of their territory, • by a mettle/ •stipuht
August. . , acquire by perchese,. or otherivlsO; a
........ • ! within. the specified limits. The Psi(
merit are willing to take, as the hauls i
EXTItAcT or A LETTER FROM Tim. AMaRICAN Cost-
. MISSJONEns TO Mit. MoNttuX. on this subject, those stipulations-of al
Oheat, A. 19. WC ' Grenville, subject to mildificallonsrehit
line.
The British Commissioners, in a conference on boundary .
that doy, explain the views of the British Govern s• As the undersigned aloe desire's's, of
anent as follows :
point In connection with ilea subject,
reasonably influence the decision of i,
" 1. Experience had proved, that the joint pos. Plenipotentiaries in the exercise of thei
session of the Lakes, and a right common tb both they avail
themselves
of this opaortusit
nations to keep up a naval force on them, necessarily what the have already stated, that G
produced collisions, and rendered peace insecure.— sires the revision of the frontier bet wee/
de •' •
As Great Britain could not be supposed to attempt . American dondnions and those of the U'
to make conquests in that quarter, and as the pro. not with any view to an acquisition of
wince was essentially weaker than the United States, suchi but for the purpose of securing ben
and exposed to invasion, it was necessary, for its and preventing future disputes.
Security, that Great Britain should require that the The British Government consider the
United States should hereafter keep no armed naval ' Lake Ontario to Lake Superior, both
force on the Western Lakes, from Lake Ontario to be the natural military frontier of the
ILake Superior, ainth inclusive; that they should not sessions in North America. As the w
erect any fortified or military post or establishment 1
on the North'American Continent, the
en the shores of those Lakes : and that they should of acting
offensively, and the most exit
not maintain those which were already existing.— den invasion, Great Britain considers
This must, they 'said, he considered as a moderate • - •
oceepatidominions. A boundary line eon of these Lakes necessaryqu;
to
demand, since Great Britain, if she had not dis-
lof her
claimed the intention of any encrease of territory;•
! these inters, with a right to each net
might with propriety, have asked a cession of the.. both upon the Lakes and upon their 9!
adjacent American shores. The commercial naviga. I colated° to create a contest for naval a,
tion and intercourse would be lek in the same footing 'peace as well as in war. The PoWer wt
as heretofore. It was expressly stated (in answer to i these Lakes should, as a necessary resi
a question we asked), that Great Britain was to re- military occupation of both shores.
j thin the right of having an armed naval force on thosel In furtherance of this piied, the Bri
I Lakes, and of holding military posts and establish. i meat is prepared to propose a boundary.
melds on their shores. I might be construed is an intention to
46 2. The boundary line of Lake Superior. and ' possessions to the southward of the Lal
thence to the Mississippi, to be revised ; and the by no means the subject they have i
Treaty right of Greet Britain to the Mississippi to are disposed to leave the territorial limS
be continued. When asked whether they did not ed, and.. as incident to them; the free
mean the line from the Lake of the, %Voods to the Ansi--
5464 n of the Likes,- provided that 1
Mississippi i The British Commissioners repeated Gorerioneot will stipulate not to milt
that they meant the line from Lake Superior to that , struct, any fortifications upon, or witl
i river. ; distance of the te,ores,. or maintain or c,
44 3. Direct communication from Ilalifaaand the armed vessels upon she Lakes in quesli'
province of New Brunswick to Quebec to be secursi rivers which empty theniselves into the
to Great Britain. In answer to our question, in . If this can be adjusted, three will then
,' what manner was this to be effected, We were told discussion the arrangement of • the is
; that it mast be done by a cession to 'Great Britain of boundary between Lake Superior and thl
! that portion of the disttict of Maine (in the state of . the free navigation of_ that river, and st'
! Massachussets) which intervenes between New Bruns- . of the line of frontier as may secure a di
wick and Quebec, and prevents the direct commu- ; nication between Quebec and Halifax.
nication." I The undersigned trust, that the. fu,
1 NVe asked whether the statement made respecting' 'which they have made of the views and obji
' the proposed revision of the boundary line between `British Government in requiring the pa,
the United States and the dominions of Great Sri- 'the Indian nations, and a permanent '
to conclude "provisional article upontile
tain, embraced all the objects she meant to bring for. 1 territories, will enable the American Plei
ward for discussion, and what were particularly her' .
1
1 views with respect to Moose Island, and such other 1 stated. ' Should they feel it necessary (
*islands in the Bay of Passamaquoddy, as bad been • Goweromentof the* United iltates for fop
.in our possession till the present war, but had been &eel the wideraigoed feel It ineunthen
'lately captured ? life were answered, that
_those' to acquaint' the American Plenipotential
islands, belonging of right to Great Britain (as much Goveruinerit cannot be precieded by'' ,
so, as one of the Commissioners said, as Northamp. has ?sassed front varying the terms no
tonshire), they would certainly be kept by her, and in such a manner, es the state of war, af
were not even supposed to be an object of discussion, resuming the conferences, may, hi thei
We need hardly to say that the demands of Great resider advisable.—The. undersigned a va,
Britain will receive from us an unanimous and deCided of this occasion to renew to the Pletlit)m
negative. We do not deem it necessary to detail' the the United States, the assurance of their
John Adams for the purpose of transmitting to you de:Alien. •
the official notes which may pass oo , the subject (Signed).
G CNITITER, !IF:PRY
i‘bi•1141:1,1 A5l ADAMS.
and close the negosiation. And we have felt it our Ghent, 13th Augart,