Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-11-24
CANNING'S LETTER.

AS many persons have forgotten what were
the precise conditions ON which Mr.
canning proposed to revoke the orders in
council, as contained In his r.famed
'nr'ch to MIR. Erskine, dated Esd of
January, 1899, we have been Induced to
republish the article, without comment !;
recommending it, however. TO the atten-
tive perusal of all
When Mr.. Erskine's erhlanGtory letter 70
MIR. Secretary Smith is communicated
to the publics az it certainly will be in
very short time, We shall have much
iigot on those parts of the British minis
terlal proceedings which are enveioped
with mystery. This letter will inform
US as we'll Of the ground on which Mr..
Ersk'ae made those propositions to our
government which, with so mucn
promptitude and frankness," we're ac.
cepted. as well as of his reasons for moi
com munic ting the despatch of Jan. %, as,
from the face OF it, it seems he was au.
thorised to do.
Copy Of despatch from Mr.. Secretary
Canning to the honorable ID. VI. Erskig-
dated Foreign Once, Esd Of January
1909.
SIR,
II there really exists in those individ isls
VINO AZ t1AaYe leading share in the new
ADMINISTRATION Of the Unit ed States, that
disposition TO come TO n complete and cor
diai understanding with Great Britain, of
whicn you have received from them such
pos'tiVe assurances in meeting that dispo-
Sition 1t would be useless and Improbable
10 recur to recapitulation of the causes
from which the differences between the two
governments have arisen, one of the argu.
ments already so often repeated in support
OF .nat system OF retaliation to which ms
majesty has unwillingly had recourse.
nat system his majesty must inquest.
onaoiy Continue to maintain, unless the OBJ
lect OF it can be otherwise accomplished.
But after the profession on tn part of 50
many OF the leading ministers of the 90
vernmeqt of the United States, of a SIN :.
rsliesIre o contribute to that object in a
manner which should render the confirm
ahce o. the system adopted by the BRUSH
government unnecessary, It il though. right
that far opportunity shoald be afEor.
ned to the American government W ex-
pam its meaning and give proof of It's sin
cerity.
The extension of the interd+ctioA of the
American harbors TO the ships Of war of
iahSS as wen AZ OF Grcat Britain, is aa
stated in my former despatch, an accepta
Die symptom Of system of impartiality to.
wards both belligerents the first that has
been publicly manifested by :he American
government.
The extension of the non-importation ac,
% other belligerents is equally proper in
MS view, These measures remove those
objections, which must other.
wise have .precluded any useful or am ica-
Die discussion.
IN this state Of things, it is impossible
or y. b. to entertain propositions, which,
Vnile such manifest partially was shewn
o her enemies, we're not consistent either
FIth her dignity or her interest.
FROM the report Of your conversations
Vitn Mr. Madison, Mr. Gallatin, and Mr.
'mith, it appears:
LIST. That the American government is
repaired IN the event of his majesty's con.
entng t. withdraw the orders in council
i January and Nov. 1907, to Withdraw
on its part the inter- (
ictiOn OF It's harbors to ships of war, and
II non-intercOurse and on-importation
cts, as tar as respect to France, and tae
overs which adopt or act under her de. |
rees.