Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-29
From Mr.. Madison TO 8fcssrs. Monroe
and Pinkney.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
May 90, 1907.


DEPARTMENT OF srArg,
May 90, 1907.
ICENTLEMRN,
My letter of March 18, acknowied.
Iged the receipt of your dispatches, and of
the treaty signed on the 31st December, of
which Mr.. Purviance was the bearer, and
lsignihed that the sentiments and views of
the president, formed or the actual posture
OF our affairs with Great Britain, would,
without any useless DELAY, oe comr.un,ca-
ted. The subject is accordingly resumed
IN this dispatch, with which Mr.. Purviance
jwiil DC charged. To render his passage
the more sure and convenient, he cakes it
IN the sioop of war Wasp, which will con-
iFey n'm to British port, on her way to the
Mediterranean. She will touch also at a
French port, probably POrient, with dis
patches tor General Armstrong and Mr..
Bowdoin, and will afford good opportuni-
ty for any communications you may have
occasion TO make to those gentlemen.
The president has seen in your exertioas
10 accomplish the great objects of YOUR in
lstructions, ample proofs of that zeal and
PATRIOTISM IL which he confided and feels
| deep regret that your success has not cor
responded with the reasonableness of YOUR
propositions, and the ability with which
they were supported. He laments more
especially that the British government has
not yielded to the just and cogent conside-
rations which forbid the practice Of its crui.
zers IN visiting and impressing the crews
OF our vessels, covered by an independent
nag; and guarded by the laws of the high
seas, which ought to be sacred with all ma
lions.
The president continues to regard This
subject in the light in which it has been
pressed on the Justice and friendship of c.
oritaln. He cannot reconcile it with his du-
" 20 our sea-taring citizens, or with the
sensiollity or sovereignty of the nation. to
recognize even coastructively, a principle
that would expose on the high seas, their
liberty, their lives, every thing, in a word
nat is dearest to the human heart, to the
capricious or Interested sentences which
may De pronounced against their allegiance,
oy ofhcers OF foreign government, whom
heither the law of nations, nor even the
Avs OF mat government, will allow to de-
eide OF the ownership or character Of The
'i'hntess article OF property found in like
81 uation.
1t has great and necessary WEIGHT also
with the president, that the views of con.
sress, rs manifested during the session
"hich passed the non-importation act, as
veil AS thr primary rank held by the object
securing american crews against Pri-
is'i impressment, among the objects which
suggested the so!emnity of an extraordinary
MISSION, ere opposed to any conventional
arrangement, which. without effectually
providing for that object, would disarm the
y ,. OF the means deemed most eligible as
an eventual remedy.
II considered, moreover, by the presi-
oent, the more reasonable, that the neces-
sary concession in this case should be made
by tTFe9T Rrf4a IN 81,
on the double consideration, first. that n
concession on our part, would violate both
moral and political duty of the govern
ment; TO our citizens, which would not be
me case on the other side; secondly. that
a greater number of American citizens.
than OF British subjects are, in fact, impress
SEQ from our vessels and that. conseouent-
| " more OF wrong is done to the u States
ihan OF right to Great Britain taking even
her own claim for the legal criterion.
On these grounds, the president is con-
strained to decline any arrangement, for
nal or informal, which does not comprise
= provision against impressments from A .
merican vessels on the high seas, and which
would Notwithstanding, be bar to legisla-
i've measures, such as congress have tho't
or may think proper to adopt. for control
ing that species of a~gressisn.
Persevering at the same time in his ear.
nest desire TO establish the harmony of the
two nations on proper foundation, and call.
cuiating on the motives which must be e.
qually felt by Great Britain to secure that
important object, 1t is his intention that your
Efforts should be renewed, with view to
such alterations Of the instrument signed on
the 31st December, as may render it ac-
lceptahle to the u s.
That you may the more fully understand
| his impressions and purposes, will explain
the alterations which are To be regarded as
essential and proceed then to such obser-
vations on the several articles, as will shew
the other alterations which are to be at
temptedi aud The degree ofimportance res.
IPectiyely attached to them.
! ist. Without provision against impress.
meuts, substantially such as is contemplated
in your original instructions, no treaty is to
| be concluded
2d The eleventh article on the subject of
COLONIAL trade, cannot be admitted, unless
freed from the conditions which restrict to
the market Of Europe, the re-expor,ation
OF colonial produce, and to European arti-
lcies, the supplies to the colonial market.
Sd. The change made by the third arti-
Gle IN the provisions Of the treaty of 1894.
relative to the trade with the British DOS
sessions IN India, by limiting the privilege
to direct trade from the u. s as well as
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