Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-04-08
Egow Dollars Per Aam.a.-Ra;di in AdYance.]

luSlinent OF uiHSrcnCeS OF SuCh q nature the
more easy and the Tore conspicuous, the
minister charged especially with such off
ces, have been with few, If any exceptions,
restricted to the precise affair to be nego-
ciated. With respect, therefore, to those
other causes of complaint upon which you
inform me that the Presidents proclama-
ton rests, cannot De furnished with iocu-
ments enabling ne either TO admit or to
eontrovert chose statements of grievance,
foreign to the attack upon that ship, con-
tanned IN your letter or authorised To dis
cuss the matters themselves. shall there
fore not allow myselfto offer such comments
as my personal knowledge of some OF those
transactions suggest to me, although their
tendency would materially affect both the
marked manner in which those transact
ons are pourtrayed, and the disadvantage
Gus light in which his majestv's govern
ment is represented to have acted respect
ing them. l am moreover led to the per-
suasion, that my government will be the
more easily able to rescue itself from incul-
patton by the inference arising from pas
sages in MIR Monroe's letters to Mr. Score
tary Canning, of the 29th of September,
last, that the differences unhappily exist
ing between the two nations were in train
6 adjustment
IL MS majesty has rot permitted nc TO
enter into the discussion of the search of
neutral merchant ships for British seamen.
together with the adjustment Of the amount
of reparaticn for the at1ack upon the Ches-
sp2ake, it was no wise with view Of pre-
Guiding the forthera agitation of that qnesti-
on at suitable time but it was that the
might be relieved from the en-
5arrassment arising from the connection Of
the present matter with the cae SO foreign
20 1t, anil, as it was buS too we'll known, so
difficult 70 be adjusted, of right Distinctly
disclaimsd, with one which Great Britain
has At ell times asserted, of enforcing hei
CLAIM to the services of her natural born
subjects, when found on board merchant
vessels of osher nations; 2 claim which she
Pounds in that princ;plc cf universal law,
which gives 20 Tie state the right OF reQuir-
ing the aid and assistance Of her native ci-
tizers. The recurrence, therefore, 10 thai
Cause o. negotiation, which had been orr
giuaily settled between Mr. Secretary Car
ming, and air Monroe, and which had bee
alone brokr in upon by the orders subse.
quently received by that minister, can oniy
he considered as resumption os tn t course
Of things which Great Britain strenuousl,
coutended there was no ground to depar'
from. | may observe that this purpose
m ghthave been effected without the inter.
vcntion Of special minister.
1t viii be in your recollection, SIR, that
in our first interview, stated the cnnditi-
on, which makes the subject of the present
letter before was Informed BY ycu, that
the President of the u. S. would consent 60
the separation Of the TWO subjects.
] had trusted shat the exposition, which
I added 10 my letter of the 26th of Januae
~, to the verbal explanation had before
offered, Of the grounds of his majesty's de-
mand, was both in its purport, and in the
terms IN which It WAS ccuched, such rs 20
prevent suspicion that they were in their
intention Gevegatory othe honor, orcalcula-
ted TO wound the just scnsibiiity Of the ma
ton. ! may add that such q supposition
could not be reconcied with the yariout
ostens'ble and unequivocal demonstrations
of his majesty's good faith, and anxiety,
that this transaction should DO brought 20 al
amicdhie termination, which were exhibit
ted even prior TO sny remcnstrarces on the
parS, or by cider ofthis government. The
other topics which ! felt myself authorised
to advance in that letter, in illustration Of
that amica5le deposition on the part ofthe
king, were brought forward from the con
gicti0n ] entertained that they must be of a
nature to be satisfactory to this govern
ment, andtherefare such as it was particu.
larry 10y duty 20 enforce, but not with q
view 60 rest upon taem the right to advance
the Claim which have stated.
| may here remark. IL is obvious that far
frnm requiring that the first steps towards
an arrangement ofrcparation should be ia
ken by the u. States, Great Britain has al
ready made them openly and distinctly /:
they arc iadu5itable testimonies to the re-
spect borle anddecidedy marked by Great
Britain, 20 the ties Of aInity subsisting be-
tween tTe two nations, and Of her cordial
desire 90 maintain them unimpaircd and
rs such alone they we're urged.
As his majesty would have derived sim
cere satisfaction from the evidence of COR
responding feelings on the part of the Uni
ted States 50 it would be the more painful.
to me to dwel. upon series of insults and
menaces, which without any provocation OF
warlike preparation OF the part Of G.. Brit
ain, have been for months accumulated M
on her through the United States, and but
too frequently from quarters, whose autho-
rity necessarily and powerfully commanded
attention.
ought perhaps 20 apologize for advert
ing 70 an incidental expression in your let.
ter, If ] did not think il right to remove ~
ny ambiguity respecting the nature Of tho
claim which Great Britain maintained tc
her seamcn, native citizens Of the realm,
who have deserted from her service TO that
of other puwers: it is, that Oh demand they
shall be discharged Jorfh7vish, and conse
uuently thew shall instantly he freed from