The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-01

{
ing to the DEGREE of urgency, all American
vessels remaining in British ports; using for
the purpose, the mode least likely to awaken
the attention of the British government
| Where there may be no ground to distrust
the prudence or fidelity of consuls, they will
probably be found the fittest vehicles for
your intimations. 1t will be particularly
requisite to communicate to our public ships
in the Mediterranean the state of appear
ances, if it be such as ought to influence their
movements. ...h
All negotiation with the British govern
ment on other subjects, willof course be sus-
pended, until satisfaction on this be SO pledg-
ed and arranged as to render negotiation
honorable. Whatever may be the result
or the prospect, you will please to forward
to us the earliest information.
The scope of the proclamation will signi
ty to you, that the president has yielded to
the presumption. that the hostile act of the
British commander did not pursue the in
tentions of his government. tits not indeed
easy to suppose that so rash and SO critical
a step should have originated with the ad
miral, but it is still more difficult to believe,
that such orders were prescribed by any
government, under circumstances such as
existed between c.. Britain and the u.
States. ',f
Calculations founded on dates are also
strongly opposed to the supposition that the
orders in question could have been transmit
ted from England. In the same scale, are
to be put the apparent and declared persua
sion of the British representative, Mr.. Err
sklne, that no orders of hostile spirit, could
have been issued or authorised by his go
vernment and the coincidence of this as
surance with the amicable professions of
MIR. Canning, tile organ of the new admin
tod in, trh IF ,o-l
22d, from yourself and Mr.. Pinkney.
Proceeding on these Considerations, the
president has Inferred that the justice and
honor OF the British government will readi-
ly make the atonement required; and in
that expectation, he has forborne an imme-
date call of congress notwithstanding the
strong wish which has been manifested by
many, that measures depending on their an
thority, should without delay be adopted
The motives to this forbearance have, at the
same time, been strengthened by the policy
OF avoiding a course which might stimulate
the British cruizers in this quarter, to ar
rest our ships and seamen now arriving and
shortly expected in great numbers from all
quarters. 1t is probable, however, that the
legislature will be convened in time to re-
celve the answer ofthe British government
on the subject of this dispatch or even soon
er, if the conduct of the British squadron
here, or other occurrences, should require
immediate measures beyond the authority of
the executive.
In order to give the more expedition and
security to the present dispatch, public
armed vessel, the Revenge, is specially en-
ployed and DIR. Bullus is made the bearer,
who was on board the Chesapeake, on his
way to consulate in the Mediterranean, &
will be able to detail and explain circum-
stances which may possibly become interest
ing IN the course of your communications
with the British government.
The vessel, after depositing DIR. Bullus at
British port, will proceed with dispatches
to a French port, but will return to England
with view to bring the result of your
transactions with the British government
The trip to France will afford you and Mr..
Pinkney favorable opportunity of commu-
nicating with our ministers at Paris, who
being instructed to regulate their conduct on
the present occasion by the advices they
may receive from you, will need every ex-
PLANTATION that can throw light on the proba-
Bile turn and issue of things with G.. Bri-
tain.
Ihavc the honor to be, &c.
(Signed)
JAMES MADISON