The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-05-30

that the Prefident's feutiments
could not be doubted, but that government
could afford neither fuccour nor aid to the en-
terpriie in which he was engaged. That upon
this general Miranda remark ed that without the
countenance OF government, individuals might
be unwilling to alIia him, add the fecretary re-
piled that the u. S. was free country, where
every one might do what the laws did not for.
bid. That general Miranda then obferved that
the bill depending for prohibiting the exporta-
ton OF arms and ammunition might impede his
meaiures, and the fecretary anfwered that the
bill might not become a law that general Mi
randa informed the fecretary that he had con-
terred with certain perfons in New-York refpeet-
ing his views, and if government flould privately
make him afmalladvance of moneyhe might with
the aififtance of thofc perfons find the fupplies
he wanted: to which the fecretary replied that
the merchants would advance money whenever
they became fatisied that they had an intereft
in doing 70, and enquired what fupplies he
might want, and who were the perfons with
whom he Rad conferred general Miranda an
twered that he wanted a few officers and pri-
Yates, together with quantity of arms and am.
.manition, and that he had conferred with COM
modore Lewis and colonel Smith, who bad nam.
proprietor Of vedels fuitable to his views.----
Whereupon the fecretary exprefIed hmfelf ia
vourably concerning the fitnefs of thefe perfons
named by general Miranda, adding, in refer
ence to your memorable, that it would be better
than the Saint Domingo trade, in which your
memorabilia had been fome time engaged, and
that colonel Smith was more qualified for mi
lltary fervice than for the cuftom-houfe in con-
tequence of which Iaft obfervation, general Mi
randa then faid, that colonel Smith would go
with him, if he could have leave of abfence but
the tecretary replied that fuch permiiIions were
mutual, and could not be granted in this in
tance and that the conference ended with an
intimation on the part of the fecretary of fate,
that whatever might be done fi,ould be ditcreet-
ny done, and with the understanding on the
part OF general Miranda, that though the 60
vernment would not aid his enterprife, it met
It's appreciation and encouragement, and that it
would not be oppofed; that general Miranda
remained at Warrington fourteen days, and had
feveral interviews with the Pre(ident and fecre.
tary in which time he wrote to colonel Will
liam S. Smith two letters, of which copies fol-
low
Wg6inet0n, 1ltb Dec. 1905.
My Dear Friend,
l have received your letters Of the lift and 9th
OF this month, and our corimodore's of the 5th.
The butinefs you and him mention is on the tabs
at this prefent moment, and will be concluded,
hope, in the courfe of this week. Not mo-
ment is loft, and the appearances look very ia
vourable.-Have little patience and you flal
hear loon the refult. hope you will act on
your hide with as much activity, &c. Sc. MY
belt compliments to the worthy admiral and to
Major A. They both fhall hear from me as
foon as any thing is decided; write to me here
at Stels Hotel, aud that will be fufficient, if the
direction is Mr.. Mofni.
Yours, M. A.
Col. VIM. S. Smith.
Wa6ingtOu, Dec. l4tb, 1905.
Dear friend, ~
faw yeferday, for the fecond time, both the
gentlemen, and after talking fully on the f,b.
t----vL. $50 c. -. wv
lion. Yet MIR. M. upon hearing nv determn.,-
ton of quitting this city tomorrow for New
York, appeared furprifed, and perfuaded me not
to leave it before Tuefday next, the l7,h, when
ne expected me to dine with him, and to have
little more conversation, fnppofe. On con-
liberation, thought that ftay three DAVIS Ion.
ger might how calm and patience on nv par.
which would give to this ftep all the dignity
intended, though am perfuaded that no more
VIII be obtained than what is already impaired
Their tacit appreciation and good wifhes are
evidently for us. aud they do not fee any diff.
Guilty that may preeHnt the citizens of the u
States in attending perfonally or tending fup.
plies for this object. provided the public law
Mould not be openly violated. Your demand
ot permiiion or leave of abfence is confidered
impracticable, and Mr.. NJ. thinks eafer TO take
the riik upon yourfelf at once however we
thdll coniider this fuhject with much reflection
when welhall meet at New-York. On the 18th
early fhall certainly leave this for PHILADELPHIA.
from whence | will write to you again, and
without much delay proceed to New. York. In
the mean time requeit of you to have every
thing readyfOr departure before the laft day of
December, and beg of you TO fllow to our
worthy commodore as much as is necefTary of
this letter, not thinking prudent in me at this
moment and on 10 delicate fubjeef to write A.
ny more do the fame with the major, and re-
peat to both my mott fincere friendihip and per-
manent efteem. When we meet YOU and thew
ihall hear more on this fubjeet, in the mean time
act with much caution and great activity.
Yours,
Your memorable further RESPECTFULLY repre-
tents, that the extraordinary equipment of the
fhip Leander, though made with fome appear
ance offecrecy, was matter of general CONVEX
fation, and of great notoriety, in the city of N.
York for long time before fhe failed. That