Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-12-06

Continued.
Copies, and extracts, of letters from Mr.
Pin!ney TO Mr.. Madison, with en-
closures.
Ai.. Pi,,knev TO lNr. J&tais2n.
London, Februarv ., 1903.
: Mr.. Canning has Just sent me a
note, of which a copy is enclosed, re-
lative 10 an intended alteration, upon
the subject Of cotton, in their bill for
carving into execution the late orders
in council. You will perceive that he
laws some stress upon the accidental o3-
servations, which (as already explain
ed to YOU IN nv letter Of the Goth of
last month"; were drawn from me
some time since upon the singl-
larlv offensive project of imposing a
transit duty upon our cotton. 1
mentioned TO you in my letter OF the
2d instant that he appeared to have
misapprehended the tendency of these
observations, and that in subsequent
conversation he Showed disposition
to remove the obnoxious feature from
their plan, tor the purpose OF substitu-
ting an absolute interdiCt of the export
Of that article under an idea that we
should then cease to object to 1T; but
thar / thought it my duty to decline TO
give him any epcouragem to do so,
although / agreed, as he seemed to
wish it, to mention his disposition to
.you- a few days ago, he sent for me
again, and renewed his proposal of an
immediate change, with respect to cot
ton, from q prohihitory duty to a di-
rect prohibition. Ny answer was the
same in substance as 1t had been be
fare. He.then suggested the alterpa-
tive arrangement, which you viii see
stated in tis note but, aGhering Co the
determination HAD formed upon the
frst appearance of The orders in coun-
Gil TO make no compromise (withoui
precise direction from my govern
ment) with tbs system which they an
nounce, by becoming party to its de-
tails, | received the proposal as had
done the 2ther
The British government, however
had resolved to adopt the last men,i-
oned rlan, whether it received my con.
cnrrence or not, upon presumption
that II would be more acceptable TO us
and, perhaps too, under the idea thai
it was more deicnsible than their orr
.ginal scheme and the purpose of Mr.
Canning note is merely to signify tc
ne, III manner as friendly and res
pectsul as possible to the r.. States
their intention to propose it 60 parlia
ment. One object of all this is, Ger
talnly, 70 conciliatc us, although it ma,
be another, to free their system, as faf
as trey can, from the disadvantage o
one oil the formidable reproaches which
thor opponents cast upon it. But tn,
wise and magnanimous course woult
be, at once, 20 tread back their step
upon the whole OF this ill-iudged mea
sure, instead of relying upon small
and unsubstantjal nodiiicatious, which
neither produce an effect upon lis cha
racter and principle, nor mitigate thu
severity OF It's practical consequences
J might, it thought it advisable, TAX
the occasion, winch Mr.. Gaming
note undoubtedly furnishes, to pres
upcn him once more the policy, as wei
as zoe JusGcs on SuSh course bat
believe X, under all circumstances, &
be more prudent to wait Tor your in
sruc'iou, %hich must, think, be We
~ soon received.
have already had the honor TO sen,
you two copies Of the resolutions, mo
we'd ~ ;hc house of commons, by tn
chancellor ofthe @xchequer, as table
Of export duties, to which their bi
should refer. nave enclosed in ano
ther letter, with which this viii be &C
companied. copy OF tire bill itsel
which will, however, undergo sever.
alters'iou Those viii be found G
BE- cxplained (as Tar IS am scquai1t
ed with the'n) IN the letter above men
toned.
I have the honor 10 be. &c.
(Signej) WV. PTNKNEY.