The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-01

tive 10 the transaction, than tor the purpose of
certaining whether the men said to be deserters,
and Tor whom the attack made, were Amcri-
can citizens or British subjects To which it was
impossible for me to give any countcnance. /
thought it Indispensable therefore TO call on the
government to disavow the principle and to en-
gage such other reparation to the u. States as
their injured homer obviously rcqured-It APP
Peared to me, that any delay in taking that step
winch depended on AN abstract principle, and re-
quired no argument to illustrate, or fact to sup
port IT, would have tendency to weaken claim
which was unquesti"nablc, and to countenance
the kiea that it would not be supportablc with
suitable energy.
HAD, before the knowledge of this event, OBJ.
tanned the appointment Of an interview with Mr..
canning on other business, to take place on the
ZStb ultmo. We met according to the appoint
ment 1 observed, in opening the conference,
that although the topics which had brought us to-
gctler. were important, the late occurrence AZ
the entrance of the Chesapeake had in a great
measure put them out OF sight. he expressed
ms regret that such an event, which would at all
times furnish cause of concern, should have hap
Pened ut the present time. He asked if the men
In question were American citizens, British
subjects replied that that was Il point which
could not come into view in the case that it was
one which, according us the fact might be, would
make the cause more or less popular, in either
country, but could not affect the principle on
that principle, ship of war projected all the PEG.
pie on board, and could not be entered to be
searched tor deserters, or for any purpose, with
out violating the sovereignty of the nation whose
nag She bore; that IN the present case had been
assured, that the men were American citizens,
and that the British minister at Washing ton had
been made acquainted with it. He said little on
the subject, but by the tendency of what he did
say, seemed TO imply that his government could
not lose sight of the consideration above alluded
to, nor indeed did he admit BY any thing that
escaped him, that the abstract principle itself
would not be insisted His remarks, howe
Yer, were generally of conciliatory and friend
character; without pledgng himself on any
point, he seemed DESTROYS to satisfy me, tina. no
new orders had heen issued by the present minis
try to the commandant of the British squadron
AT = ahfax observed, that the notes which
haeip2ssed betwecn us, were informal, and on q
very limited view OF the subject, on my part, it
would be proper tor me now, that the circum-
stances were better known, to present him an Of
hclal note ON it: he admitted the proprietv of it.
then drew fHr. Canning's attention to the
subjects or which had asked the interview :;
being the case of the lmpetueux, captain owes
correspondence, the conduct of captain Douglas
and OF the British squadron generally OH our
coast. observed that mad heretofore postro
ned any official Communication on these points
from desire TO connect them with tile greater
OBJECTS depending between our governments, ard
OF course, ronl motives the most friendly that
brought them 10 his view - This time in co;ise-
menced the other business, as he knew had been
done; lie promised TO attend TO them.
On the 18th July i wrote to Mr.. Canning, the
note which had promised him in the late inter
view. addressed it in terms which thought
suitable to the occasion, observing state in it,
that took the step from sense of duty, appli-
cable TO my station as the resident minister, and
without authority from my government. consi-
aered the act as that Of the British officer, in
which the government had no agency, was not
bound to support, and which it would be honora-
BILE for 1t 10 sisavow. hattercd myself that some
advantage might arise from the measure, and
under the circumstances IN which 1T was taken
no harm possibly could. His reply is dated on
the sd inst. Which though addressed in rather a
harsh tore, may be considered concsding essen
italy the point desired. 1t my intention to say
nothing to him on the subject Till hear
from You, and in the mean time to observe the
most concilatofy conduct that circumstances will
admit.
Such is the state of this country at the present
crisis, that it is impossible 10 foresee what will
be its course OF conduct towards the United
States. There has been at all times, since the
commencement Of the present war, a strong par
t. here for extending its ravages to them This
party is composed OF the ship owners, the navv
the East and West India merchants and several
political characters ofgreat consideration in the
state. So powerful is this combination, that it
is most certain that nothing can be obtained of
shS WI my poi"t3 DuI "lidt may De
extorted by necessity. The disasters to the
north ought to inspire moderation, but with res
Pect to the northern powers, it seems to have
produced the opposite effect. A fleet of about
25 ships Of the line, with suitable number of
frigates, &c. and above 10000 men has been
lately equipped, and sent into the Baltic as it is
said, to take possession of the DANISH and Russi
navies. This measure is imputed to an un-
derstanding which 1T is supposed has been esta-
blisbed between the cabinets OF Russia and Paris
by the late peace, ard which has for its Object n
concert of measures for the purpose OF attempting
10 force OF this country a maritime code, more
favorable 10 neutral nations. The motive assign
ed for the e&pedtoh, is that taking possessi-
on Of the Danish feet, tok ep il out the hands
OF thc French that the Russian fleet is one of
the objects is not SO generally believed, though
perhaps not less probable.
Mr.. Pinckney and myself have taken the first
step in our business. We win write YOU IN a few
days the state Oft. You may be assured that we
siiall do every thing in our power to promote, in
the mode most likely to succeed, the object of
our Instructions and the interest of our country
Want oftme prevents my going INFO further de-
tail.
have the honor to be, with great considerati-
on, sir, your most obedient servant,
JAMES MONROE.
James Madison, Esq.
Secretary OF State, Washington.
FRoM Mn. CANNING TO Mr.. MONROE
FoREIcE OFFtcE, August g. 1907