Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1809-12-22
.. 10 tis House b REPRESENTATIVES
offhe. IInitSd StQtee.

+. ~
J" Aureeably to the request expressed IL
the resolu,ion of the. 18th inst. lay before
: the House extracts fromthe correspondence
Of the minister pIenipoteutiary ofthe US.
JAMES MADISON.
December 16, 1so9.n
Bite aerrEnt Of an unofficial conversation
5stween Gfr. Canning alldllr. Rnkney, on
The sfsth IF January, 1909, continued an
tse 22ds TIE same month. Transmitted
By Jlr. Riatasy sothr Secretary Of Safe. ]
Iiined at Mr.. Canning swith the corps
.d,2lsmat;gtsc, on The 18th January. Before
dinner he came up to me, and entering into
conversation. adverted 70 report which he
said had reached him, that the Americas
ministers (here and in Ftance) were about
to be recallyd. Erepiied, that | was not
aware that such A step had been resolved up
un.s He shentook me aside, and observed
that according to his view of the late pro-
cesdings of Congress, the resolutions OF the
House Of r. representatives., in committee of
the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. calculated, if pas
sed into a law, to remove the impediments
% an arrangement with the United States,
entfe subject ofthe orders in council and
the Chesapeake, BY taking away the discri-
mination between Great Britain and France
II the exclusie fvesseIs of war from Anne
rrican ports. He added, thatit was another
favorable circumstance that the non-iinpor-
8 non system. which seemed to be ia contem-
glseion, was to be applied equally to both
! narf;es. instead of afrctinn as EeretnCA-A
Great Britain alone.
4 proposed 10 Mr.. Canning, that I should
call On him In the course of day or two for
! ihe purpose ofa free communication upon
Yhat he had suggested. To this he readily
assepaed /; and Il was settled that should
Ee him on the Sunday following (the 22d)
at 10 O'Clock at his own house.
In the interview ofthe 22d, Mr.. Canninr,s
impressions appeared to be in all respects
the game wish those which he had mention
q! on the 1 9Th and saideyerything which
j thought consistent with caRdor and discre
ton, 20 coa6rrn him in his disposition TO
srvkthe re establishments of good under
standing With US, and especially to see in
the expec,edact of Congress, (ifit should
spass3 ansopening for reconciliation.
lt-wasot some importance to turn their
attr ntion here, without loss of time, to che
manner Of any proceeding that might be in
tl-eir contemplation. 1t seemed tina, the re-.
solutions Of the House of Representatives,
ifenacted inlo law, might render it pro-
per, if not Indispensable, that,ths affair Of
sshe Chesapeak C should be settled atthe same
time with the business ofthe orders and en-
barge, and this understood to be Mr..
Canlihg 5 opinion and wish. II followed
thatsle whole matter ought to be settled at
w Washington, and, asshis was more over de-
sirsblecn various other grounds, suggest
ED that itwouid be welh Gin case a special
missio on did not meet their approbation),hat
1 he necessary powers should be sens to Mr..
Erskine.
In the course Of the conversation. Mr.,
Canning proposed several questions relative
toour late proposal : the principal were the
I've. following
\. ncasc they should wish, either thro'
me or through Mr.. Erskine, to meet us up-
on the basis Of ours late overture, in wha.
way was the efsctual operation Of our en-
barge as 80 France, &c. after it should be
takes of as 70 Great Britain, TO be secured
twas evident, nc said, that if We should do
no more than refuse ciearancesfor the ports
of France &r. or prohibit under penalties,
Voyages to such ports, the effect 8hichsmy
letter OF the Esd Of august, and mypublish-
ed instructions, proposed to have in view,
weuld noe be produced ;&for thar vessels,
Although cleared tor British ports, might,