The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-06
LETTERS
FROM MEssRs. MONROE AND P1NKNEY TO
Mr.. MADISON,
London, July Is, 1906.


Mr.. MADISON,
London, July Is, 1906.
SIR.
You will have been surprised at not
hearing from us sooner, on the business con-
hded to us, under the commission with which
we are honorcd by the President. The de-
lay proceeded from desire to give you some
satisfactory information of our progress in it,
which it was not in our power to do 1t hap
pened unfortunately, just about the time of
Mr., Pinkney's arrival, on the 9th ultino,
that Mr.. Fox was taken ill of a dropsical
complaint, from which he has not yet reco-
vered, and probably never will. That cir
Cumstance, opposed to us serious obstacle
which it was difficult to surmcant, even in
the first stage. AS Mr.. Fox was the official
organ of the government, we could not ap-
preach 1T in that mode, through any other
channel; and as he, and his friends are be-
lieved to be favorably disposed to the object
ofour mission, and are strong in the cabinet,
it seemed to be hazardous to make any ex-
pertinent for that purpose, which might have
a tendency to irritate them. Thus we were
kept for some time at stand. Every neces-
sary step was taken with the Department of
foreign affairs, without making any advance.
At length through the good Offices of lord
Holland, to whom, as the relative Of Mr..
Fox, we presumed we might apply, without
giving offence to him or his friends, we OBJ
tanned our recognition of the king And we
trust now, that the door is open, that we
shall soon be able to proceed in the business,
on which we have to treat with some suit
able organ of the government. We persuade
ourselves, if Mr.. Fox should continue
unable to act, that some other person will be
appointed to meet us i'll his stead. We have
the pleasure to enclose you copy of the Sc
veral notes which have passed in this intro
ductory stage OF the business.
Our audience with the, king, took place
on the 21st instant. The reception was quite
q favorable one To the assurances which
we gave of the friendly policy of the.United
States towards Great Britain, as particular
ly exemplifcd by the present mission, his
majesty i'll return, expressed himself to be
highly satisfied with the proof which that
measure gave of that disposition in their 90
vernment, as that Mr.. Pinkney had been Sc
lected, by the President from among their
citizens, TO be employed in it, His other re-
marks, though not applicable to the topic of
existing differences, were nevertheless of a
conciliatory and friendly character
We beg you to be assured, that we shall
continue to exert our best efforts TO accom-
piish the important objects Of our mission -
OF the actual dispositions OF this government
On that subject, and Of the prospect of sa-
tisfactory adjustment, it is not in our power
to speak from any recent occurrence. The
general view, as founded on the sentiments
which have been expressed by those about
the government, with whom we have CON
feTed, is favorable. We cannot but believe
that She delay to which we were subjected
in obtaining ourrecognition by the king, ought
to be attributed to Mr.. Fo5l's indisDosftion a.
lone. It's, however, proper to mention that
IA negotiation with France; is sdil depend
Ag, an1 that many entertain the expectati-
that t will terminatciB peace. We are
aware that such AZ event is likely seon
2en, * We fatter ourselves even in ease
that the motive for preserving a
tending Hith The y States, in the