Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-11-28
R,.om The National .lnsealsssenstr.
An pINKNEY TO Mr.. MADISON.

Mr.. Canning has Just sent me q note, O
which 8 COPY IS enclosed, relatiys 70 an n.
tended alteration, upon the subject ofeotton'
ii their bill for carrying into execution .lls
late orders in couneile You will pereelse
that he lays some stress upon the acciden-
al observations, " b Gas already explain
ed to you in my letter Of the 2oth Of last.
monthly were drawn from me some time
since upon the singular!S offensive project
mentioned to yoa, ii my letter OF the "a
instant, that he appeared to have misapprs-
hended the tendency of these observations,
and that III subsequent conversation ne
Showed a disposition TO remove the obnox-
ious feature fromtheir plan, for the purpose
Of substituting an absolute lnterdlct OF the
export Of that article, under an idea that we
should then cease to object to it but that
/ thought it nv duty to decline to give HIM
any encouragement to do %, although
agreed, as he seemed to wish it, to meAion
his disposition to you. A few days ago, ne.
sent for me again, and renewed his piopo-
sal of an immediate change with respect to
cotton, from prchibitory duty to direct
prohibition. MY answer was the same IN
substance as it had been before. He then
SUGGESTED the alternative arrangement,
which you will see stated in his note but,
adhering to the determination had formed
upon the first appearance Of the orders in
council to make no compromise (without
precise direction from my government with
the system which they announce, by besom-
imp a party to its details, / received the pro-
posal as | had done the ott,le.
The British government, however, had
resolved to adopt the last mentioned plan,
whether it receivedmy concurrence or not,
upon presumption that it would be
more acceptable to us and perhaps
too. under the idea that it was more
defensible than their original scheme and
the purpose of Mr.. Canning's note is mere
" to signify to me, in a manner as friendly
and respectful as possible to the q. States,
their intention to propose it tofparliament.
Ono object Of all thif is, certainN, to concili-
ate US, aitt'o'.5s sc '.aay be another, to free
their system, as fan as they can, from the
disadvantage of one OF tho 4fo,1 .sIidable re-
proaches whichtheir opponents cast upon it.
But the wise and masnaniinous course
would be, az once, to tread back their steps
upon the whole OF this ill-iudged measure,
tinstead Of relying upon small andunsubstan-
cial notifications, which neither produce an
feet upon its character and principle, nor
mitigate the severity of its practical conse-s
quences. Knight, if thought it advisable,
take the occasion, which Mr.. Cannin8's
note undoubtedly furnishes, to press upon
him once more the policy, as we'll as the JUS
tice ofsuch course but believe it, un-
Ger all circumstances, be more prudent to
wait for your instruction, which must, I
think, be very soon received.
| have already had the. honor to send YOU
two copies of the resolutions, moved in the
house Of Commons, by the chancellor of the
exchequer, as tables Of export duties, to
which their bill should refer. 1 have en-
closed in another letter, with which this will
be accompanied, copy of this bill ITSELF,
which will, however undergo several alter
atoms. These will be found to be explained
Gas far as [ am acquainted with them in the
letter above mentioned.
l have the honorto BE, &c.
(Signed) WIN. PINKNEY.
l77onorable yames MADISON,
Secretary q Stale.
Mr.. CANNING TO Mr.. PINKNEY.
FoRF1GE-oFFICE, FEB. 90, 1905.
STR HAVE already had the honor Of
assuring you, in conversation, Of the dispo- !
sition whichis felt BY the British govern
ment to give due weight to the observations
which you have made to me respecting the |
unavoidable impression, likely (ii, your ori-
aion} tobe excited in the u. States, blythe J,
duty proposed to be levied upon cotton de.- &