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

uegree hazardous, II not absolutely impracticablc
to stipulate for the abandonment of practice to
which the navy and the people of Engiand attach
ed SO much importance, evr, although the go
vernthent should itself be persuaded that it might
be done with safety,
We endeayorcd to impress upon Mr.. Canning,
the unfortunate influence which such views and
sentiments could not fail to have UPON any negoti-
alton which might be attempted, in whatever
forT, between the two countries !; but although
his manner was as conciiiatory il 1 could be,
he did not allow US believe, that these senti-
nents would be reGnquislred or consequently that
MIR. Rose would have powers upon the general
topic OF impressment.
We have not since heard from MIR Canning,
but we are every moment in expectation of am
appointment tor another interview.
We deem it to be 80 important, that you should
be in possession OF the foregoing details, before
the government Of the United States takes its
| course, relative to Mr.. Roses mission, that we
have determined tn send this dispatch by MIR.
Rose himself, who is so good to offer 70 take
charge ot our letters As he sails immediately
in frigate, now AT Portsmouth,, the presumpti.
on is, that he will arrive before Mr. Monroe who
will sail in few dsys.in the Augustus for Nor
folk
We shall add in postscript, any thing that
shall occur, before Mr.. Rose leaves town
We have the honor TO be,
With the highest respect & consideration,
Sir.
our most ooetnent humble servants,
(Signcd) JAMES MONROE,
WIN PINKNEY.
p. S. Mr. Canning note (erroneously dated
the l7th, instead OF the 18th instant of which
:, copy enclosed, states the existence of a mu.
tual understanding between him and us, s'by
which, on the receipt of the first accounts OF the
unfortunate encounter between the, eopard and
the Chesapeake, agreed to confne our Off
cial discussions to that single subject, until it
should be finally adjusted" II may not be i'm.
proper to mention, although the fact is of no re-
al Importance, that this statement is inaccurate
upon the receipt OF intelligence, that the pro-
posed treaty of December last, Wa. not lkel, to
be accepted by our government, there was am
understanding Gas heretofore explained to yuu)
that 1t might be necessary to suspend our proceed
ings, until the arrival OF more precise informa.
ton upon that point, and perhaps until the ar
rival OF our instructions. Mr.. Canning confounds
that epoch, with the more recent one to which
he alludes- His conduct in torbearine- to press
our negotiation after the affair of the
was known, undoubtedly such as We appro
we'd and desired; but it did not arise out of any
agreement with US.
p. S. October "a, we received Yesterday e.
vening, note from MIR. Canning, dated the 22d.
trans shifting the answer Of this government TO
our note OF the Oath July. Copies of these arc
lenclosed. tt
| (Signed) JAMES MONROE.
| WIN. PINKNEY
M. Canning &c Messrs Monroe and Pink
| ney. 3
FOREIGN OFFICE, Ocf, ~; 1907.
GENTLEMEN,
| The mutual understanding by
which, on the receipt of the first accounts OF
the unfortunate encounter between the Leo
pard and Chesapeake, we agreed to confine
our official discussions to that single subject.
until 1t should be finally adjusted, has alone
prevented me from returning long ago an Of
| hcial answer to your note OF the 24th of Ju.
| ly.
The nature Of Mr.. Monroe's instrus ions has
unfortunately precluded that settlement
which his majesty's government so anxious
| ~ desired, OF the question respecting the
chesapeake by negotiation between that gen
uemah ana myself. But that question being
no" III tram OF separate adjustment, by
the appointment of minister Oh the part of
his majesty to proceed to America for that
specia purpose, and the return OF MIR. Mon
roe to America making it necessary that YOU
should be apprized of the sentiments of his
mJesys government as to the state in
which the treaty signed by you and his ma
Ijesty's commissioners, OIL the 5Ist of Decem-
Der last, is left by the refusal of the presi
dent OF the United States to ratify that instru-
meht, nave TO request conference with YOU
Tor that purpose, previous to Mr.. Monroe's
departure.
have the honorto be,
W it'll the highest consideration,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble servant
(Signed) GEORGE CANNING.
aessrS. Monroe and Pinkney TO Mr.. Can
ming.
SIR, 10y A0O''
In our interview ofyesterdaY, YOU reques-
ted that we would explain tic ground of o
pinion which is expressed in our letter to Won
OF July N, that the occasion which induced
the British commissioners tn present To- ne
the note OF the 5lst of December preceding
had ceased to exNt. We hasten to comply
with that request, as we shall do to give an.
explanation OF any other passage in that let
ter which you may desire. We were of o.
pinion at the time when the British commits
sioners presented to us that paper, that the
decree OF the government of France to which
IT related, ought not to be considered an
phcaole to the y. States, because such,a corr
struction was plainly repugnant to the trea-
| ~ .suosisting. between the u. States AM