Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-12-02
sA1URD.9Y, DECEMBER79.
DOCUMENTS,
WHICH ACCOMPANIED THE
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT,
OF THE
UNITED STATES.

LETTER FROM MR.. ERSKINE,
Enoou Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
tentiary Of his Bsisaaaic Myesty to the
Secretary Of State.
WASHINGTON, July, 81, 1909.
SIR,
/ have the honor to inciose to you
copy of an order, which was passed by his
majesty in council on the 9th of May last.
In communicating this order, it's with
ahe deepest regret that have TO inform
you, that his majesty has not thought pro-
perto confirm the late provisional agree
ment which Ihad entered into with you on
the part of our respective governments.
Neither the present time nor the occasion
will afford me favorable opportunity tor
explaining to YOU TIE grounds and reasons
upon which conceived had conformed to
his maiesty's wishes, and to the spirit, at
least, of my instructions upon that subject
non, indeed, would my slndieatlon OF my
conduct, whatever may have to ofer) be
!. of any Importance further than as it might
tend 70 shew that no intention existed on
any part to practise any deception towards
the government of the United States.
| have the satisfaction, however, to call
your attention to that part OF the inclosed
ORDER which protects the commerce and
shipping of the United States from the inju-
nv and inconvenience which might have a
risen to American citizens from a reliance
on the provisional agreement before men
toned and cannot but cherish hope
that nc further bad consequences may result
from an arrangement, which had fully be-
:. lieved would have met with his majesty's
: appreciation, aud would havefled to COM
plete and cordial understanding between the
: two countries.
With sentiments Ct the highest respect
land consideration, have the honor to be,
sir, your most obedient humble servant,
d. M. ERSKINE..
The Hon. Robert Smith, &c. &c. &c.
The Secretary Of State to Nr. Erskine.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Ausust 9Th, 1909.
SIR,
have lust received from Mr.. Pinkney
a letter, enclosinga printed paper, purport-
ing to be copy of a despatch to you from
Mr.. Canning, which states among other
things that /" from the report OF your con-
vsrsations with Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Gala
TIN and Mr.. Smith itappears-
list. That the American government 10
prepared in the event of his majcsty's con-
senting to withdraw the orderssin council of
January and November, 1907, TO withdraw
ccntemporaneously on its part, the interdlc-
ton of its rarbors to ships Of war and all
non-intercourse and transportation acts,
so far as respects Great Britain, leaving
them in force with respect to France and
the powers which adopt or act under her
DEGREES.
e2d. That America is willing to renounce,
during the present war, the Pretenslon OF
carrying on in time Of war all trade with the
enemy's colonies, from which she was ex-
Guided during peace.
g Sd. Great Britain, for the purpose of
securing the operation-of the embargo, and
the Dana Jfds intention of America, to pre-
vent her citizens from, trading with France,
and the powers adopting and acting under
the French DEGREES, is to be considered as
being at liberty to capture all such Ameri-
can vessels, as may be found attempting to
trade withthe ports of any Of these powers
without which security for the observance
of the embargo, the raising it nominally
with respect TO Great Britain alone, would
in fact, raise it with respect to all the
world"
have the honor to requestyou to favor
ms with such explanations, as your candor
will at once suggest, an relation to these im-
patcd conversations.
/ forhear TO express to you, sir, the SUR
that 10 fAlt the