The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-11-29
M. Pinhneu 10 lfr. Mndison

LONDON, February 2S, 1908.
Mr.. Canning has just sent me note, of.
which a copy is enclosed. relative to an in,
tended alteration, upon the subject of cotton,
in their bill for carrying into execution the
late orders in council. You will perceive
that he lays some stress upon the accidental
observations, which (as already explained
to you in my letter Of the Goth of last monthly
were drawn from me some time since upon
the singularly offensive project of imposing
transit duty upon our cotton. mention
ed to you, in my letter oftlIe Cd instant, that
he appeared to haze Inexperienced the
tendency of these observations, and that in
subsequent conversation he Showed dis
position to remove the obnoxious feature
from their plan, for the purpose of substitu-
ting an absolute intcrdu,t of the export of
that article, under an idea that we should
then cease to object to it; but that thought
it my duty to decline TO give him any en-
couragement to do so, although agreed, as
he seemed to wish it, to mention his dispo-
sition to you. a few days ago, he sent for
me again, and renewed his proposal of an
Immediate change, with respect to cotton,
z from prohibitory duty to a direct prohibit
on. My answer was the same in substance
rs it had been before. He then suggested
the alternative arrangement, which you will
see stated in his note but, atlhering to the
-
appearance of the orders in council to make no
compromise (without precise direction from
my goverumcnt) with the system they an
nouncc, by becoming party to its details,
received the prUpusui as i nau liunv Inc "
ther.
The British government, however, had
resolved to adopt the last mentioned plan,
whether IT received my concurrence or not,
upon presumption that it would be more
acceptable to us; and, perhaps too, under
the idea that it was more defensble than
their original scheme and the purpose of
Mr.. Canning's note is merely to signify to
me, in manner as friendly ard respectful;
rs possible 10 the United States, their in
tention to propose it TO parliament. One
object Of all this is certainly, to conciliate
us. although it may be another, to free their
system, as far as they can, from the disad-
vantage of one of the formidable reproaches
which their opponents cast upon it. But the
wise and magnanimous course would be at
once, to tread back their steps upon the
whole of tbs iil-iudged measure, instead of
relying upon small and unsubstantial modi-
fcatioas, which neither produce an effect
upon its character and principle, nor miti-
gate the severity of its practical consequent
Ces. l might, if thought it advisable, take
the occasion, which Mr.. Casning's note I'M
doubtedly furnishes, to press upon him once
more the policy, rs we'll as the justice of such
course; but believe it, under all Circum-
stances, to be more prudent to wait for your
instruction, which must, l 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. Ihave enclo-
sed IN another letter, with which this will be
accompanied, a copy of the bill itself, which
will, however, undergo several alterations.
Those will be found to be explained Gas far
as am acquainted with them) in the let
Ter above mentioned.
have the honor to be, Sc.
(Signed) VIM. PINKNEY.
Honorabi= James Madison,
Secretary IF STATE.