Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-05
III 1-2 Cents .Singfe.I

lmisapprehensions which existed, has au-
lthorised me TO proceed in the negotiation
upon the sole discontlDuance of measures of
so inimicai a tendency.
You arc aware, sir, that any DELAY, which
may have arisen liz the adjustment of the
present differences, is not imputable to an
intention OF procrastination ON the part of
his maJesty's government on the contrary,
its anxiety TO terminate as-cxpCdtiously as
possible the discussion of a matter so inter-
testing to both nations, has been eviDced by
the communication made by Mr. Secretary
Canning TO MIR Monroe, before that minis
ter OF the United States was even informed
OF the encounter, and now, by the promti-
tude with which it has dispatched special
mission to this country, for that express
purpose.
can have no d fficulty in stating anew
| to you, with respect 20 the provisions of nay
instructions, calculated as they are to in
sure an honorable adjustment of the impor-
tant point in question, and TO remove the
impressions, which the late cause of differ
ence may have excited in the minds of this
nation, that am authorised to express my
conviction, that they are such as win ena-
BILE me to terminate the negotiation AMIGA
bly, and satisfactorily.
Having learnt from you, sir, that it is
solely as meassre OF prccauton, the pro-
vsiens of the proclamation are now enfor-
oed. | must persuade myself, thas due
consideration OF his maesty's conduct in
this transaction, will remove as well any
misapprehensions which may be entertain
ed respecting his majesty's dispositions to-
wards the United States, as the grounds
upon which that enforcement rests, and the
more so, rs it has long been matter of no.
toriety, that the orders issued to the Off
GERS OF his majcSty'S navy, in his proclama-
tion of the 10th October, 1907, Afforded
ample security, that no attempt can again
be made to assert a ppetension, which his
majesty from the first disavowed
may add, that IL his majesty has NOT
commanded me 10 enter into the discussion
OF the other causes of complaint, stated .
arise from the conduct Of his naval COM
manders IN these seas, prior 20 the encoun-
ter of the Leopard and the Chesapeake, it
was because it has been deemed improper
To mingie them, whatever may be their
merits, with the present matter, so much
more interesting and important in its ma
ture AN opinion originally and distinctly
expressed by Mr. Monroe, and assented to-
| ny Mr. Secretary CaDuing. But If, upon
| 'h's more recent and more .weighty matter
u discussion, upon which the proclamation
manly and materially rests, his majesty s
WINGED, it is sufficiently clear, that no hos
tile disposition San be supposed 10 exist on
his part, nor can any views be attributed
30 bis government, such, rs requiring TO be
coun,eracted by measures OF precau,ion,
could be deduced from transac tons which
preceded that encounter.
H. Offering these calculations, should OBJ
serve that the view in which have brought
forward the preliminary, which have spec
cihed, IS neither as TO demand concession
OF redress, as for wrong committed: into
such the claim 90 discontnuauce OF hostile
provisions cannot be construed; Eut it is
Simply 10 require cessation OF cnactments
injurious in their effects, and which, if
persisted IN, especially after these expla-
nations, must evlnce spirit of hostility, un-
der which his majesty could not au'horisc
the prosecution ct the present negotiation,
either consistently with his own honor, on
with any wen founded expectation of the
renewal or duration II that good understan-
ding between the two countries, winch it is
equally the interest OF both to foster and to
ameliorate.
| have the honor TO be,
| with the highest consideration,
Sir,
Your most obcdient and
Most humble servant,
(Sgned) &. III. ROSE.