Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-12-01
DOCUMENTS

lcoN6LupED.l
III. Psnlney b luy. Nadsssa.
Extract.
- LexDoH, September 9th, sos
I have an opportunity Of writing BY Mr.
Bethunc. who leaves town to-morrow tor
Falmouth to embark for the United States
IN the British packet, and cannot omit 70
take advantage Of It, although have still
nothing conclusive to communicate
The Hope arrived off Falmouth and
landed Mr.. Atwater, on the 10th OF last
month, and immediately proceeded on her
voyage to Havrc, with fair wind. MT.
Atwater arrived in London On. thu 20th, IN
the evening. and delivered yaur letter Of the
18th Of July. s.
NV public letter cf the 18th August, viii
have apprized you Of the footing on which
nv different interviews with Mr.. Canning
left the subject of the British orders IN coun-
Ill, and my private letter OF the Cd eof that
month will have made YOU acquainted with
my intention to present, in an official note,
what + had intellectually suggested IN con-
ference.
r 8 such a course there could not, even
Ia the first instance, have been any other
objection than that It was calculated to lead
10 discussion rather than adjustment; but,
Whatever might be its tendency, us certain
xlaat could have no inducsneut to resort 70
81, until it was indicated by MIR. Canning
as Indispensable, nor any motive TO decline
St.afterwards.
At our last interview, and not before, 1t
WIS unsxpecfedly found that II was IN that
mode only that could obtain a acknowledge
of the light in. which this government tho't
Alto view the overture had been directed
20 make to IL; and determined IN eonse7
auence to lay before i in writing the inten-
lions of the president, with the same frank
ness. which lad sssa a srized my verbal
sounnun atom.
have now the honor to transmit copy
of the note, which in confo aity with that
determination, delivered IN person to Mr..
{ Canaing, on the Goth of last month, few
DAYS after It's date. To this note, no an
swer HIS vet been returned but it is to be
presumed that it viii not be much longer
withheld.
You viii perceive that some time had
elapsed, after had sent off my dispatches
by the St. Michael {(the 9Th August before
my note was presented. The truth is, that
had employed part of that time in IF am
ing note Of great length, which, when
nearly completed, l thought it prudent to
abandon, in favor Of. one that held out few
er INVITATIONS TO Improbable discussions
which, although would not shun them it
pressed upon me. did not suppose it pro-
per that should seek.
believed, too, that little delay on my
part, would be far from being disadvantage
Gus. There would still be sufficient tins
for obtaining final answer to my proposal,
IN season for the meeting of Congress md
as the temper of the government, so tar 40
it had been tried, had not appeared to Se ia.
vorable to my purpose, believe that I
should act in the spirit of my instructions,
and consult the honor of my. Cove ament,
by avoiding, under such circumstances, the
appearance Of urgency and precipitation.
Upon the terms, or general plan Of my
note, it is not, / hope, necessary to remark.
You viii discover that it was prepared under
= persuasion, that whatever might be its
effect, it was infnitsly better tolnake i as
esnef a.ory as, without sacrifice OF prin-
eipIe or national dignity, was possible.
The topics, TO be embraced by It, were
such a. did NOT demand, but rather forbade,
aDinute exposition. While it was difficult
to urge, In their full force, without seeming
g, ann II exciting disposition unfriendly to
the object Of my instructions, all the consi.
J dsrations which justified the U. States y
demonstrating against the British orders.
Il was yet morc difficult, without q degree
ofhsrshness. scarcely suited foyffe occasion