The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-06
London, august IL, 1906.

No. 2.
London, .Eugnst II, 1906.
SIR.
1t was intimated to us, by SIT Francis
Vincent, soon after the date of our last, that,
as the state of Mr.. Fox's health was not like
ly soon to permit him to attend to us, or the
subjects of our mission, lord Granville would
be asked to communicate with us in his stead
and sir Francis promised that he would en-
deavor, without loss of time, to arrange with
lord Grenyille to that effect.
. On the first instant, Sir Francis informed
us, by note to Mr.. Monroe, that lord Gren-
yiiie had been applied to, and that he would
NIX an early day for our reception. Bcliev-
ing that we should not make the most pro-
fitable use of the opportunity, if we waited
for a note from lord Grcnviile, we determined
to write him Immediately, and request him
to appoint a time for receiving U.s., He ac-
cordingly appointed the 4th, which on ac-
count of an interfering engagement, not at
first adverted to, was changed to the day
following.
His lordship received us with great cor
diality; but as we had expected, was not
prepared to enter into any formal conside-
ration of the subjects embraced by our COM
mission, which, as the letter of credencc
had been delivered to the king, and had not
been seen by lord Granville, we thought it
advisable to submit to his perusal. He told
us that he was at present able to say little
more than that his majesty government was
earnestly DESTROYS of giving the most prompt
and efectual attention to what we had to pro-
pose, and of adjusting satisfactorily, what
ever was in any degree calculated to disturb
the good understanding, which ought to sub
sist between us; that he had always enter
tanned and acted upon sincere disposition
TO cultivate the most friendly connection and
intercourse with the U. States and that he
could say for his colleagues, that such was
their disposition also; that we were aware
that the delay we had hitherto experienced,
aIose entirely from the illness of Mr.. Fox, to
whose department, subjects of this descrip-
ton particularly belonged that he himself,
having only recently returned to situation
of confidence, in his majesty's councils, was
of course, but very imperfectly acquainted
with those immediate transactions and dis
cussions, which had bearing upon the re-
lations of the two countries; that he could
not therefore, at this moment, undertake G.
ven to converse with us upon them, other
wise than very loosely and informally but
that he should, Notwithstanding, be glad to
hear from us statement of the principal
points, which it was supposed our negocia-
ton would involve. His lordshp added, that
if Mr.. Fox should unfortunately Continue to
be disqualified by indisposition, from attend
ing personally TO the affairs of our mission
it would be necessary TO receive his males
tvs pleasure, whether this important duty,
should be committed to some other of the Sc
cretaries of state, or to commissioners to be
specially appointed to treat with us; and that
this would not be delayed beyond the actual
necessity ofthe occasion.
The statement which his lordship invited
was, of course, given with as much minute
ness as was thought to be prudent; and it
drew from him several remarks, some of
which, although not very interesting, it NAV
be proper to state. -
On the subject OF the impressment of our
seamen he suggested doubts (Which we en-
deavored to remove, by suitable explanati-
ons) of the. practicability of devising the
means of discrimination between the seaulen
of the two countries, within (as we UNDER
stood him) their respective Jurisdictions &
he spoke of the Importance, to the safety of
Great-Britain, In the present state of the
power OF her enemy, of preserving in their
utmost strength, the right and the capacity
of government, to avail itself in war, of the
services Gifts seamen. These observations
were connected with frequent professions of
an earnest wish, that some liberal and euui-
table plan should be adopted, for reconciline
the exercise on tnlS eSSentlat right, with the
Just claims of the u. States, and for removing
from it, all cause of complaint and irritati-
on.
To very brief sketch of the views of our
government, relative tobelligerent proceed
ings, in the vicinity of our coasts and har-
bors, he replied, that there could be no OBJ
lection on their part to suitable provision
on that head. And as this topic recalled
the recollection of captain Whitby's outra-
ges at New York, his lordship took occasi-
on to say that, if they had been truly repre-
sented, they would meet with the severest
Censure here; that captain Whitby could
not be condemned upon such grave char
ges, unheard but that he would return to
answer for his conduct.
TO what was suggested by us on the sub
ject of contraband, he replied only, that he
and Mr.. Jay had copied the enumeration
i'll their treaty, from the British treaty with
Sweden.
Upon the commercial subject, very little
was said on either side. For obvious rea-
sons, 1t was not proper that we should do
more than lead 70 It in very general way.
On the WeSt-IDdidn branch oft, lord Gren-
vile remarked, that he did not feel the diff
culties which were supposed by many to be-
long TO it, and that he regretted that the
18th article Of Mr.. Jays treaty had not been
retained as it would have prepared the
way for the more complete admission ofthe
United States into that trade We Inferred
from the little that passed on t'1is point that
lord GrenVille look ed TO n prevailing DTeiu-