Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-22
PART w.


PART w.
Accompanying the message OF the Presi-
dent OF the United States, recei-
we'd the 22d March, 1908.
SIR,
Il appears by your letter of May goth,
1907, which was forwarded by Mr.. Puryi-
ance to Mr.. Pinkney and myself, at London.
and received on the 16ih July, that you had
construed several articles of the treaty.
which we had signed with the British com.
missicners, on the 3Ist OF Decembcr, 1896. in
a different sense from that in which thew
were conceived by us. As the course we
were instructed to pursue, by YOUR letter
OF February Sd, with regard to that treaty.
which was confirmed in that of May 2Oib,
was in no decree dependent OH cur con-
strucdon OF any Off articles, or oil the no.
litica' considerations which induced us to
sign 1t, we deemed 1t unnecessary to enter
into any explanation III reply, either of our
construction OF its articles, or OF the politi-
Cal considerations alluded to. We thought
it more consistent with our duty. TO loo,,
solely 10 the object OF our Instructions, and
to exert our utmost efforts to accomplish
it; and we acted in conformity to thar SEN
-timent. The result of those efforts was
made .knowu, by the documents which /
had the honor TO present 20 you, when was
lately at Washington, being copies of Joint
dispatch, which MIR Piukaev and had for.
warded by MIR. Rose. We kad fiattered
ourselves, that it might have been practi-
cable to obtain the amendments of the trea-
ty which the president desired, as the state
Of affairs in Europe had become more Ia
vorable TO such a result; but in that we
we're disappointed We found no t,;{6cul.
ty in accomplishing the other object, of SET
ting 1t aside, as We were instructed 20 do.
W case the proposed amendments were not
acceded 70.
At this time there is no objection to such
an explanation, that ! am aware of, and
there are many reasons why it should be ei
Ven' foc VIII be sensible that, SO far rs an
unfav0rable estimate is entertained of that
transaction, IL must, in the deeree. tend
10 injare those who gave it the sanction OF
their names; and you viii be equally seusi-
Die that, If the u. S. are in any degree in
terested in it, at this time, it must consist
in its being viewed in just, rather than an
unfavorable light. in retiring from the sta
ton which have lately held, this is tine last
act OF public and private duty, which have
to perform, in relation to it. 1t is to me. in
many views, painful duty, but still it is
one which it is highly incumbent on me to
execute.
1t is far from being my desire to coinDro.
NIT Mr.. Pinkney, in this letter, in the Sigh
est circumstance. In the management Of
the business which was entrusted to US ioint-
y, We acted with the greatest harmony.
and e1erted cur best efforts TO accon,plisb
the object of cur instructions I am not
ware that, IN speaking of any part OF the
freely, shall give II & construction in which
he would not concur hui that presuf3,,ti-
on IS founded altogether on what took place
between us IN the course Of the negotiation
10 THIS communication he is not a party.
nor indeed does he know THAT such a one
will be made. IN every view, therefore. If
IS improper, and would be unjust, that he
should be considered as having any concern
| in H.
The impressment of scancp from c,r
merchant vessels is topic which claims .
primary attention, from the order wb.ch
holds IN Jour letter, but more especjaliv
from some important considerations thar
are connected with it. The idea entcrtai,-
ed BY the public is, that the rights of he
u. >. we're abandoned by the American COM
misSoners in the late negotiation, and thot
their scamcn were left By taci. aconiee-
cenee, II rot by formal remuneration. To- re.
pend Tor their safety, On the mercy of the
British cIuizers. ] have, on the contrary
always believed, and still do believe. thsi
The ground on which that intrresr was MI
ced by the paper OF the British commissi-
oners ofNov. s, 1906, and the explanations
which accompanied it, was both honorabl.
and advantageous TO the H. = tbstsjt con
tanned concession in their favor. on The
part Of tTreat Britain, on The grea. pr;nci~
| pic IN condensation, nevcr before ma nv q
formal and obligatory act ofthc government.
which was highly favorable to their inter
est; and that is also imposed on her the
obligation t. conform her practice .neer II.
I'LL more complete aTTsngement should he
concluded, 10 the Just claims Of tho n
10 place this transaction in its true reht.
and to do justice to The conduct OF the ASoe-
Irican commissioners, IL will be necessary to
! en.er al some length into the subject.
, The British paper states that the king
| YES not prepared to disclaim or derog.te
rom right on which the sccrrie,- of the
British navy might essentially depcnd. &c.
! pecially IN conjunclure when hcwas en-.
gagged IN wars which enforced tie necessi-
( - otthe most vigilant attention to he ore
servaiion and supply q his naval force
that be had directed his ccmmiss 5uers to
! give 10 the commissioners Of he L. States
the most positive assurances that i7s.ruct,.
oas had been given, and should berercat-
led and enforced, 70 observe the rrcatcst
c@uticn in the imprcssing OF British .ea,nen.