The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-14


vious consideration, thatthe Y. States would
Toe authorized, notwithstanding any adjust
lnent by treaty upon other points, in a case
e"f the iulpiess,nent on.he high seas of q sin:
gle marinerfrom on board an American ycs-
sci. tovicw it as an act of aggression, and to
resent it accordingly. This right existed,
undoubtedly, independently of that note !:
but it seemed Notwithstanding to derive from
1t a new and high sanction favorable to it's
just effect: and certainly the sensibility and
determination which have been manifested
on this point by the y. States, especially Of
hate, andb American commissioners du-
ring the recent negotiation, must have in
spiied this government with the conviction,
that perseverance, in such outragcs upon
their Sovereignty and the rights of their 'ci-'
tizens, would be wholly Incompatible with
the peaceful relations of the two countries,
which II was the professed object of the Bril-
tish commissioners and their government to
preserve. 1t is proper, however, for us to
state that 1t was our intention to have re-
2ncsted OF this government written eXplana-
tions on this topic of impressmcnt, as well
as on that OF indemnity, for the purpose of
transmitting them TO you. The approaching
departure OF Mr.. Monfos for the u States,
would, It was Thought, Krnisli a suitable oc-
CASTOR tor such an application.
towards the end OF the last month, the
change took place in the ministry, and on
the - tn the diplomatic corp had their first
Interview with Mr.. Canning, who succeeded
lord iiowick III the foreign department. AL
thonsh the meeting Was general, n separate
audience was given, as is usual, to the repre-
sehtauves OF each power. At Mr.. Canning S
request We gave him concise, bat Just vie w
OF the state OF business between our govern
,ments. de appeared not to not have heard
before OF V hat had taken place relative to
inc PROJECT OF u supplemental convention
sfie said that he had come too recently into
ONCE tn be able to say any thing decisive
OH any or the topics of which we had given
MN sketch, but that he would soon make
himscN acquainted.w them, and give us
another interview. His professions, which
were OF a general nature, were conciliatory
Such WIS the state OF affairs when we had
therhonor to receive your letter of February
the Sd. We were anxious to carry into eff
rect the instructions contained in that letter,
IN the best manner in Our power, and with
the least possible delay. 1t became espcci-
ally our duty to make known to the new mi
Aistry, as soon as we miyht be able the un-
derstanding which had subsisted between
the British commissioners and through them
the late cabinet, ard US, as to the condition
on which we had consented to continue the
negotiation, after our project relative to i'm
wehad 10 authority to treat after that event
and that our government was not bound,
Or supposed or intended to be bound, to rati-
~ what we had done, lift disapproved or it
We were equally DESTROYS OF turning to the
best account the appeal which a refusal to
ratltv by our government, would make to
the interests of this country, in an effort to
arrange by treaty this great point with the
new ministry. The first measure seemed
TO be free from difficulty. The statement
proposed was an act Of justice TO our govern
ment, and of duty to it and our county,
which might be discharged without the
slightest hazard to the public interest In
deed, rs it was prcsuliable that this govern
mcnt would soon receive intelligence from
Mr.. Erskine, which, without an explanation.
could hardly fail to produce IN unfavorab,r.
eject, IL appeared 70 be Indispensable ne
cessary TO make it, 70 prevent a public inju-
~. The second object, however, was evil
IDENTITY involved in more difficulty From
whatwe had seen, in the debates in Pariia-
meht, of the disposition Of several of the
members of the new ministry, before they
came into power, on subjects which were
connected with our treaty, independent of o.
til 81 causes, we had reason to believe. that
great caution ought to be Observed in any
communication which We might make tn Il
OH that point Although lord Holland and
lord Auckland had retired from their Offices
OF lord privy seal and president os the bm.rd
OF trade, they still retained their situations
as commissioners extraordinary and pleni-
Potentiary, and rs we presumed, would con-
tinnc 70 do so Until the bushes, in which we
had been engaged with them, should be con-
clHded. In every view it seemed to be inst
and expedient to confer with them on the
subject of our late dispatch. We according
ly obtained an early interview, in which we
communicated III confidence, the substance
ofthat dispatch, as well III conformity with
the orders of the president, as in the hope
that they might be able to assist us in the ac-
complement of its object. But we tound
them under circumstances OF such peculiar
dclicacy with the new ministry that it was NOT
in therpower to give us the slightest aid
They informed US that on the EXCHANGE of
' nisters, lord Howick had communicated
% Mr.. Canning the state in which our bust
ness stood, and more particularly the pro
Ercss which had been piade in the PROPOSED
plan OF convention, ir tre expectation tha{
he would have requested them 20 proceed in
1T that, ho"cve no such request had beer,
made, in consequence Of which they should
teel1t their duty, III case Ire continued silent
TO withdraw from the commission. Tl,ey
s.N-rIsgce1 H.