The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-05-12

tnust oc SchSlOic tnat &c WOuiQ DC more AT
lliberty to enter into suitable friendly cx-
plantations with the government of France,
on the subject of the decree in question, af-
ter the adjustment of their differences with
Great Britain, than while they existed, as
IL likewise must be, that the prospect of
obtaining satisfactory explanations on that
point, of France, would be better while they
acted under their own impulse as an hide
pendent and friendly power, thanit would be
in case they entered into an engagement OF
the kind proposed with her adversary--
The British commissioners admitted that
these considerations were entitled to much
attention: at length, however, after the SUBJ
Iject had been, as we had reason to believe,
maturely weighed in the cabinet, they in
formed us that their government still tho't
1t incumbent Oh 1t to make reservation OF
their light to counteract the policy of France,
ia case our government did not give them
the satisfaction they desired, either by SUIT
able assurances before the ratification of the
treaty, or by its conduct afterwards. With
this view they presented us a paper which
we have the honor to transmit with this dis
patch. In transmitting to you this paper,
1t is our duty to observe that we do not con-
slider ourselves party to Ii, or as having
given it in any the slightest degree our sane
ton. The incident which produced the pa
entering into its merits, we used our best
exertions to diminish its effect in relation to
the objects of our negotiation The British
commissioners brought the incident into view,
and made it the subject of discussion i'm the
manner above stated, as they did the part
which it became their government to take
in the depending negotiation in consequence
of it. We therefore thought, not only that
we were at liberty, but that it was impe-
1,,fx
make the paper which they proposed to pre-
sent to US, in reference to the decree of
France, as little Injurious as possible, and e.
ven to urge that decree as strong reason
why 'Great-Britan should be more explicit
and satisfactory in her definition of neutral
rights, as well for the purpose of indicating
herself against the strong denunciation it
contained, as to enable our government to
urge with more force with the government
OF France its objections to the decree. We
were glad to fiud that these remarks were
not altogether without effect, as will appear
by the paper referred to, especially the. de-
hniton it gives of blockade, which is to-
lerably correct.
You will observe, that the commerce be-
tween the United States and the British CO.
lonies which bound them to the east & north
has not been regulated by this treaty. The
British commissioners refused to agree to a
ny arrangement of it, in consequence of our
declining to admit their Canada and Hudson
Bay traders into Louisiana. 1t has occurred
to us, that it might be advantageous to the u
nlted States, and consistent with the views
OF our government to comprise both these
objects, under suitable regulations, in Sc
parate convention, especially if they car be
made instrumental to a satisfactory estab-
lishIhent Of our boundaries. We have rea-
IN hot, y,t ha Eo,. f.
i'll connection with these other objects, it
would be more agreeable to this government
TO settle the question of boundary, according
to the views of the president and senate,
than by ratifying the convention already en-
tered into, with the exception of the Sth ar
ticle. The British commissioners have ex-
pressed their willingness to proceed in the
business, for the purpose of arranging all
these topics in satisfactory manner. as lord
Howick has likewise done and it seem s
highly important to take advantage of this
! disposition, to settle amicably with this go
verntncnt. at the present time, every re-
naming cause of strife, so far as it may be
practicable. Should we undertake to form
such convention, the commercial part of it
will OF course be limited to the same term,
not TO exceed that of the treaty. We shall
also be attentive to the conditions on which
the traders with the Indian tribes are to be
admitted into Louisiana; by being particu-
larly careful that it be done on such conditi-
ons as to render it impossible for them to do
any injury. We are persuaded that such re-
gulations might be adopted, as would, even
at this time, have that effect. We are con-
fident that our population will have so far
spread over the whole surface of that coun-
try, by the time the treaty would expire, as
to supercede the necessity of renewing it.
| We have the honor tn he
With great consideration & esteem,
Sir,
| Your most obedient servants
JAMES MONROE,
VIM. PINKNEY.