Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1808-03-26

try, but could not affect the principle, on that
z principle, ship OF war protected all the peo-
pie OH board, and could not be entered to be
searched Tor deserters, or Tor any purpose,
without violating the sovereignty OF the nation
j whose flag she bore that In the present case
! had been assured, that the men were Ame-
rcan citizens, and that the British minister
at Washington had been made acquainted
with it. lie said little On the subject, bat by
the tendency OF what he did say, seemed to
i amply that his government could not lose sight
CT the consideration above alluded to-, nor IL
deed did he admit by any thing that escaped
BIN, that the abstract principle itself would
not be insisted on. His remarks however
were generally Of a conciliatory and friendly
character; without pledeing himself, Oh any
| point, he seemed desirous to satisfy me, that
no new orders had been issued by the present
ministry to the commandment Of the British
7 squadron at Halifax observed, that as the
notes which had passed between US, We're in
formal, and on very limited view Of the sub
ject, on my part, it would be proper FOR me
now, that the circumstances were better
known, to present him an official Iote on it +:
he admitted the propriety of it.
| then drew MIR. Canning attention to the
subjects on which had asked the interview
Being the case of the Impetueux, captain
Loves correspondence, the conduct OF capt
Douglas, and Of the British squadron gene
rally on OH. coast. observed that had here
tofore postponed any official communication
on these points from a desire to connect them
with the greater objects depending between
our governments, and of course, from mo-
tiyes the most friendly that | brought them
to his view at this time, in consequence Of
Mr. Pinkney and myself having commenced
the other business, as he knew had been done
he promised 10 attend to them.
On the goth July wrote 10 Mr.. Canning,
the note which had promised him IN The
late interview. ! addressed it N terms which
| thought suitable to the occasion, observing
to state in it, that took the step from sense
Of duty, applicable to my station as the resident
minister, end without autho,ity from ny go.
yernment. considered TIE act as thai Of the
British otfcer, in which the government bad
no agency, was not bound to support, which
1t would be honorable fer it TO shsay0w. tat
tered myself that some advantage night arise
from the measure, and under the clrcumstan-
could HIS reply is dated ON the Sd inst. which
though addressed in rather harsh tone may
be considered as conceGmg essentially the
point desired. Il my intention to say no
thing more 10 him on tie subject Til hear
from you, and in the mean time 10 observe the
most conciiiatery conduct that circumstances
will admit
Suchis the state OF this country at the pre-
sent crisis, that il is impossible to foresee what
will be is course Of conduct towards the INIT
ed States. There has been at all times, since
the commencement OF the present war,
strong party here for extending It's Tavagcs to
them. This party is composed OF the ship
owners, the navy, the East add West india
merchants, and several political characters OF
great consideration Ia the state. 30 powerful
is this combination, that it is Most Certain
that nothing can be obtained. Of the govern
ment on any point, but what may be eItcFted
by necessity, The disasters to the north
olght to inspire moderation, but with respect
to the northern powers, it seems to have pro-
dacad the opposite effect. "A fleet OF about
25 ships of the line, with suitable number OF
fr:rates. Sc ard above 10000 men has seen
lately equipped, and sent into the Baltic, as 1t
IS said, to rake possession of the Danish and
Russian nayies. this measure IS imputed to
an understanding which it is supposed has
been established between the cabinets OF Rus
sia aal Paris by tie late peace, and which has
for its object g. concert of measures for the
purpose Of attempting to force on this coln-
try maritime code, more fayorabieto eutral
nations The motive assigned Tor the expe~
dition, is that Of taking possession OF the Dan
ism fleet, to keep it cut Of the hands OF the
French that the Russian fleet is one OF the
objects is not SO generally believed, though
perhaps not less probable
| Mr.. Pinkney and myself have taken the
first step in cur business. We viii write you
in few days the state gift. You may be as
sured that we shall do every thing In our pow
,er to promote, in tie mode most likely to sue