The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-10


OF complaint which had excited the sensbility of
congress, at their last session, and led to the pas
sage of this act were still rs much at large as e.
yer that it was indeed true that commissioners
IN the highest degree acceptable, had been APP
pointed by his majesty's government to treat with
US, and that the spirit Of justice and amity dis
played by their lordships,, promised the happiest
results but that it also true, that up to this
period it could only becsaid, as might equally be
said of the period when this act was finally past,
that negotiations were &c. ending that we were,
therefore, extremely anxious when we should
Transmit their lordshipspote to the United States,
to be enabled to accompany it with assurances,
that although much renamed to be done, the two
subjects OF irnpressment md trade with enemies
colonies. weuh certainly be adjusted to the sa-
tsfaction of our government +
Lord Holland told US il reply, that we were
aware that the first of thee subjects was full OF
difficulty, and required that the feelings and
pinions OF im-ny persons shoid be managed and
consulted that IL touched the most delicate and
momentuous of their national concerns, and cal
led for much enquiry and deliberaton that he
hoped it would soon be practicable, fand VIC
nigh be confident that there should be no unreal
sonable delay to submit To- us a plan, to- which
both sides might without reluctance consent
that in the mean timewe could state to our GO.
veTnment, what was unquestionsbly true, that
those with whom We We're treating were dill
gently and anxiously employed. in endeavoring
IL
venient and honoEble to U.s. and at the same
time free from improper hazard TO Great Britain :;
that 1t appeared t him that tie actual pendcncy
OF the negotiations here, (unless their s;nccrit,
were distrustcd, AS he was sure it would not be-
would furnish III adequate motive to Congress.
Tor merely posroning the commencement OF a,
law WHICH was originally very strong measure
and would certainly, if allowed to go into opera
ton at moInont, when G.. Britain was afford
ing, in the face of the world, an unequivocal de-
monstration other wish to remove every ground
of misunderstanding between us, acquire a cha
racter of extreme harshness: that it was greatly
to be lamented that the discussions in which we
were now eIgagedhad not been sooner begun
but that knowing as we did, to what cause the
delay TO be ascribed, we knew also that it
was unavoidable. His lordship mingled with
these observations the most amicable assurances
and took an OCCASION which remark from one
fus presented, to express his conviction that
the event of peace between Great Britain and
France, would be SO far from creating any ndis-
position, producing any obstacles on the OAR
OF this country, to a liberal adjustment with us,
that it would rather facilitate that adjustment by
removing from some of the topics, the peculiar
interest and difficulty which the present crisis
imparts to them. ,ss..
After some further efforts on our part to pro-
mote the object of this interview, without depart
ing from that tone of Cancellation which prudence
as well as inclination recommended, we separa-
ted, and soon afterwards we prepared and sent
10 the British commissioners an answer to their
note of the 4th, of which you will find copy en-
closed. :
To these details we take the liberty to add or
opinion, formed upon careful view of the whole
subject, that it will be proper, upon the meet
ing of Congress in December, to suspend the act
for prohibiting the importation of certain articles
OF British manufacture. go rs to, afford further
time for the completion of the negotiations which
tly ,;ch
The ground WHICH CDugrass have taken in this
just and salutafy measure, we are far from wish
ing to abandon ; but to suspend and To aba don
1t, are very different things. The last would
| wound deeply the honor OF the nation and pros.
trate the character OF the government; bat tIe
first is in perfect conformity with the s 1rt aid
purpose of the law, ard while 1t would furnish
signal proof of the equity and moderation of Our
public councils, would preserve unimpaircd,
that firm and dgnfied attitude which it becomes
us at all times, but now especially, to main
tain. The: suspension will be so far from re-
llnqushnlg the measure, or weakening its effect,
that it will distinctly imply re assertion of its
principle and policy, and an mistaken resolution
to act upon and enforce it, soon as negotiation
| shall have been sufficiently and unsuccessfully
tried.
The death of Mr.. Fox which every hour is ex-
pected to announce may and probably will
tard our progress for some time but our hopes
arc olUhs tHaI we Snail nnaliy, ana WITHOUT
muchfurther delay accomplish the great objects
confded to us. The temper which the British
commissioners have obviously brought to the ne
gociation, corresponding with that which has
been manifested towards the mission by those
who hold official stations here, as well as by the
public in general, is as friendly and respectful to
our government and country as could be desired
We shall continue exertions to fulfil with all
possible dispatch the instructions with which we
have been honored, and shall communicate to
you by the earliest opportunity whatever of i'm
portance shall occur.
We have the honor to be, with great consider
stisn and esteem,
Sir,
Your most obedient servants, o.,
JAS. MONROE,
=: WIN. pINKNEY.
James Madison, Secretary If State.
p. s. September IL. We have Just received
separate notes to the same effect from lord Auck-
land, of which copies are enclosed They. au-
thorize us to expect that the conference of We'd
ncsday next to which he invites us, will enable
us to give you details ofamore precise and inter-
esting nature than it has beon practicable to give
IN the letter to which this is postscript.
We omitted to- mention in this letter that we
have been assured BY the British commissioners
particularly by lord Holland) that a liberal and
satisfactory article, relative to the extent of our
jurisdiction over the waters near our own coasts,