Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-01-24

lously obeyed, that our countries should
and themselves in that relative positi-
on which suits the interests and tends
20 the happiness Of both.
When l professed readiness, to
make my proposal in writing, it was, as
you state, Professionally; but I did n
intimate that l was acting without au-
thority, nor did I comprehend that
such was, as now know it to havS
been your impression. The provisi-
onal nature ofmy offer arose out OF cir
cumstances, and was afterwards pres
sed upon conviction, that, if it was
meant to adopt the views of the Presi.
dent, nothing more could be necessa,
~. l understood you to be DESTROYS
OF ascertaining, whether / was empow
cred and disposed, with view to f.
nal arrangement, to present, what Ihad
suggested, in a written form, as an
overture originating with my govern
ment? said Of course, that, every
thing being first matured, note
should be presented, but that would,
with your permission, take little
time to consider of the manner and
terms. I did not at that time sup
pose that we were conversing about a
written proposal, which was to be
made only to be rejected, or even for
the purpose of deliberation, and con
sequently, in protesting my willing.
ness to make 1t as soon as we were pre-
pared for it, presumed that I had
done all that you had desired. And l
was confirmed in TINS opinion not only
by your saying nothing, as supposed,
70 the contrary, but by your request
ing me, as I was about to leav-: the
room, to employ myself, before the
next interview, upon such note as we
aad been talking OF, and then retr.ct.
ing that request by observing, that l
would doubtless first desire 60 know
what we're your ideas and intentions
| upon the subject of it, with which
was given to understand I should be
imade acquainted at another confer
fence.
AT the third interview, after speak
ing OF transaction upon the Lakes, OF
which your traders complained, and
!of another occurrence in the Bay of
Passamaquoddy, you observed, that
you had thought long aud anxiously
upon what | had suggested to you -
that the subject had at FIRST struck
you as being much more simple than
. upon careful examination it had been
found to be; that, in the actual state
} OF the world, lt beloved both YOU and
me to move in this affair with every
possible degree of circumspection
that, without some explicit propose
on my part in writing, upon which ths
British government could deliberate
and act, nothing could be done and
finally, that you must leave me to
consult my own discretion whether
would make such proposal.
u 1t appeared to me thai, if this de-
termination shout / be persisted in my
overture was not likely to be success
full, and | urged, accordingly, the pro
priety of going on in a course which
would lead us TO better issue. Ina
jcourse was, that we should understand
one another as to our respective views
IN d that concise note, which had il
fact prepared since the last meeting
should then be presented and actec
upon. You informed me that m,
wish in this particular, could not be
acceded to; that, if presented a note
you must be left at perfect liberty tc
] decide upon what it proposed; tina
j you could not give me even an init
nation OF the probable consequence,
OF 1t; and, in word, that you would
neither invite nor discourage such q
proceeding. You added that there
we're some points, belonging to the
subject, which it would DC proper tc
discuss in writing; one of which was
the connection between our Embargo
and your Orders of November, sup
posed to be i'nplied by my proposal.
remarked that, with an actual result
III visw, anil with a wish TO arrive al
that result without delay, it could not
)e advisable to entangle ourselves in
written correspondence, underlined
10 70 ire ornpa arI I.,..,.c, ,,rs. -