The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-19
LONDON, October 90, 1907.

LONDON, October 90, 1907
SIR,
We have the honor to transmit inclosed du-
p'icate of our joint letter TO you by doctor HUI
ls, together with copy of the project OF aitera-
tions to which it refers, and which could not be
prepared in time to be sent with The origf Il. We
also enclose printed copy of the act OF parlia-
ment, relative to an intercourse by sea between
the United States and the British North Ameri-
can colonies, of which 4 manuscript copy has al
ready been transmitted
Since the departure Of doctor Bullus. COM
munications have taken place between MIR. Can
ming and ourselves, 18th which it is proper .h:s;
YOU should be made acquainted.
On the 18th instant, we received from Mr.. Can
ming note requesting conference on the fellow
ing Saturday. (the 17th,l accompanied by note
of which copy is inclosed explanatory of the
purpose for which conference was desired Our
reply merely that we should wait on him at
tho time proposed Mr.. Canning opened this
conference by observing that, before he stated
the view which his government had taken of the
subject to which his note alluded. he had to re-
quest, it we saw no objection to it, an explana-
ton of that part of official note of the Oath of
July, which speaking of the written declarati-
ON of the British commissioners of the SIst of
December last, suggests opinion that the DC.
casion which produced it &c does not now appear
t. exist then supposed" He then read the
concluding paragraphs OF the declaration. and OBJ
served that II was with view to the reservation
contained in them. that his inquiry, which we
might be assured had'the most friendly motive
was made. We replied. by stating with exact
ness the real foundation or the opinion in qiesto
which, as he seemed to wishit, we promised to
repeat in note to be sent to Kim without DELAY.
A copy of the note afterwards delivered 10 him in
pursuance OF this engagement, being among the
enclosures, we beg leave to refer TO il for the sub
stance of what stated by us upon this point
in conversation.
MIR. Canning closed this Interview bv saving,
that he fearedit would be necessary to postpone
what he had s,rther to communicate, until ano-
Their opportunity, and requested us to meet him
again on Monday the 18th. Surprising that he
was not in town on Sunday, and that nothing
would be gained by Sending in our promised note,
before the Time appointed by our adjourned corr
ference, we took the note with us, xila delivered
1T ourselves, on Monday. Mr.. Canning appeared
to be satisfied with the explanation. to which we
thought it our duty strictly to contine ourselves
but he did not seem to be prepared to proceed
with the conference, and intimated that he would
be glad to meet us again, for that purpose on the
Thursday or Friday following, and would give
notice which Of these days would be most
convenient.
A proclamation, relative to the searching ofthe
national and merchant vessels of neutral powers
for British seamen, having appeared in the Lon
don Gazette, on the l7th, with which the news
papers already forwarded, and now sent, will
make you acquainted, we thought this a suitable
occasion, of which it incumbent on us to take
advantage, for leading to an explanation of that
proceeding We began by expressing hope
that this paper was not intended shut the door
against negotiation and concession on the sub
Ject OF impressment, ON board the merchant ves-
seiS OF the United States, upon which Mr.. Can
ming already knew tie opinion and feeling of our
government Mr. Canning replied, that lhe pro-
cialnauon was not intended to have that effect
that II was simply statement Of the principles
and practice, upon the points 10 which 1t relates,
which the British government und, rstood to- be
warranted By public law, and long established
usage, that such statement did not exclude the
idea OF amlcable discussion and adjustment with
power which favored different doctrine, and
Bought for the introduction of q different prac-
tice that as it did no more than declare with
truth and precision the past ar.I actual state of
their rules upon these interesting points, no more
was done by it to shut tho door of negotiation
and arrangement with the United States, than
would have been done without it by the mere o.
peration OF the rules themselves, Of which it was
declarltory that while in this view it could have
no inconyenient effect, it was mantle stly useful
and inperiously required in another that it was
Sndispcnsabiy necessary for the information of
'he1r naval commanders, especially upon distant
ssations, who after what had lately happened
would, without some such guide, be at loss 10
Know how to- regulate their conduct, and would
thus be exposed to the perpetual hazard either Of
falling short Of their duty or of exceeding it. in
matters OF the highest moment, that it was so far
from being meant to wear an unfrendly appear
ance, or to increase the difficulties in tie way of
good understanding with country, that it
was believed by his majesty's government To ex-
mbit their disposition to Cancellation In a way not
TO be mistaken, and to facilitate the establishment
ut such an understanding, that the proclamation
had been prepared nearly three months ago, but
had not been published until it was asc=rtained
that the subject Of it could not be affected by any
negotiation of which the result could soon be
known; that the effect of Mr.. Roses mission,
whatever might be hoped, could not appear for
some months, and that III the mean time il seem
ed to be proper, that without changing the state
ct things to the prejudice of either party, their
navy SHOULD not be LEFT to conjecture their duty
ON subjects of such delicacy and Importance, upon
which so much had occurred to produce miscon-
ceptlen and iI1itatiou :; that il was impossible to
consider in connection his (Mr Canning's) first
note To. Mr. Monroe, upon the receipt of intelli-
gence OF the affair. of the Leop;sd and Chcsa-
pcake the promptitutte wl,h which the kings
government had disavowed an intention of assert
ing claim to search national ships for deserters
the explicit prohibition of such a practice in the
proclamation, at time when il was very gene
rally Insintained by the press, and notoriously
souutenanced by public opinion, as lawful, cxpc.
ticnt and essential and the mission which was
about Drnc In he.