Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-04-25
(No. 1.)
MIR. ERsKINE TO Mr.. SMITH.
Washington, 17th April, 1909.
(No. ~,


have received his mejes,y's commands, to
represent to the government # The United
States, that his Majesty is animated by the
most sincere desire for an adjustment Of the
differences, which have unhappi'y so long
prevailed between the two countries, the
recapiiuls If which might have a ten
dency toimpede, if not prevent an amicable
understanding.
IL having been represented to his Ma
Jesty's government, that the Congress of
the I'm ted States, in their proceedings at
the opening of the last session, had evinced
an intention of passing certain laws, which
would place the relations of Great Britain
with the United States upon an equal FOOT
ing, in all respects, with the other bellige-
rent powers, have accordingly received
his majesty's commands, in the event of
such Laws taking place, to offer, on the part
OF his majesty, an honorable reparation for
the aggression, committed by British ma
val officer, in the attack on the United
States frigate Chesapeake.
Considering the act, pa sed by the Con
gress of the Unied States on the lst of
March, Casualty termed the non Inter
course acO as having produced atate OF
equality, in the relations of the two bellI-
gerent pc Sers with respect TO the Unhed
States | have 10 submit, comfortably 10
instructions for the cons de ration of the
American government, such terms OF sa
lfaction and repara ion, a, his majesty is
induced 10 believe, viii be accep ed in the
same spirit Of conCiiation, with which
they arc p, opposed.
In addition 10 The prompt disavowal
fnadr by his Majesty, on being apprzed
oftte unau;horiz d aet committed by his
naya! officer, whose recall as mark of
the Kings d'sp ea,are, from AN h gh y
Important and honorable command, i'm.
med,a,ely ensued, his Majes,y i, W u ng
io,esteIe he men forcbly taken out of
the Che apeake, and, il scce Pta6e t. the
Ame lean government, To make a suitable
provision for the un(ofluua.e sufferers on
tia, occasion.
/ lave the honor TO be,
NVIih sen imenis of the CHEST
Respect and consideration,
SIR,
Your mos, obedient humble
Sefvant,
d VI. ERsKINE.
The Hon. RosER7 SMI9a, Esq.
Secretary Of Slac, &c Grc. Cc.
mo II.)
Department of State,
April H. 1909.
Sir,
have laid before the President your
note, in which you have, in the name and
by the order Of his Britannia Majesty de-
clared that his Majesty is DESTROYS OF max
ing all honorable repsration for The aggres
sion committed bye British naval Office il;
the attack OF the United States frigate the
Chesape axe 4; that, in addition to his prompt
disavowal of the act, his Majesty, as
mark of his dlspleasure, did Immediately
recall the offending officer from an highly
important and honorable command (; aud
sthat lac is willing to restore the men forcl-
lily taken out of the Chesapeake. and, IL
acceptable tothe American government, to
make suitable provision for the unfortu.
nate sufferers ON that occasion.
I he government of the United States hav-
ing, at all times, entertained a sincere de
sire for an adjustment of the differences,
which have so long aud so unhappy sub.
sisted between tie two countries, the Pre-
s,dent cann@ but receive with pleasure as
surgnoes, that his Britannia Majesty is an
imated by the same disposition, and that
he is ready, ~ conioI nifty to this disposition,
to make atOnement for the insult and az.
gressfon Cornmltted by one of his naval Of
fcers in the attack on the United States
frigate the Chesapeake.
Asit appears, at the same time, that. in
making this offer, his Britannia majesty dc
rives a motive from the equality, now ex.
listing, in the relations of the United States,
with the two belIigerent powers, tie Pre-
sideDt owes il TO the occasion. and TO him
self, to let X he understood that this C.
quality is resol, incident to state of things,
growing out OF distiact considerations.
With this explanation, as requisite as IL Is
f. ok, I am authorised to- inform you that
tae President accepts the note delivered
by you, in the name and by the order oil
b's Britannia Majesty, and will consider
lhe same with the engagement contained
therein, when fulfilled, as 2 satisfaction Tor
tue insult and injury Of which he has com
piained. But have II in express charge
iron the President to state, that while he |
forbears TO insist on a further punishment
si the offending officer, lac 10 lot tne less