Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-04-27
+ 0 r L l G N.
STATE PAPERS.
GREAT BRITAIN. AND AME.
RIGA.
Correspondence between Mr. Secre-
tary Canning and the Hon. d.
M. Erskine.
Laid before Parliament.)

| GContinued fran, our last.]
Dispatch from Mr.. Secretary Canning
to the Honorable ID. NJ. Erskine,
dated Foreign Office, January 20,
1908.
SIR,
Ifthere really exists in those indi.
Eviduals, who are to have leading
share in the new administration of the
United States, that disposition to come
to complete and cordial unders,an-
ding with Great Britain, of which GU
have received from them such posi-
tive assurances In meeting that dis
position it would be useless and un.
profitable to recur to a recapitulation
of the causes from which the diiferen-
ces between the two countries have a.
risen, or the agreement, Already so of
ten repeated in support of that system
| of retaliation to which hi, majesty has
unwillingly had recourse.
That system his majesty must un-
questionably continue to maintain, tn
less the object of it can be otherwise
accomplished.
But after profession on the part of
so many leading members of the 60
vernment of the United States, Of a
sincere desire to contribute to tina, OBJ
ject In manner which would render
the continuance OF the system adopted
by the British government unnecessa-
I ~, it is thought right that fair op-
Portunity should be afforded to the A.
linerican government to explain its
meaning, and to give proof of its sim
cerity.
The extension Of the Introduction of
the American harbors to the ships Of
war of France as we'll as of Great Bri-
tain, is, as stated in my other dispatch,
an acceptable symptom of impartial.
ly towards the belligerents the frs.
that has been publicly manifested by
the American government. The like
extension of the non-importation act
to the other belligerents is equally pro-
per in this view. These measures re-.
move those preliminary objections
which must otherwise have precluded
any useful or amicabIc discu sion. In
this state OF things, it is possible for G..
Britain to entertain propositions which,
while such manifested partiali,y was
shewn to her enemies, were not con.
sistcnt either with her dignity or her
interests.
From the report of your conversa.
tons wi.h Mr.. Madison, MIR. Gallatin,
and MIR. Smith, it appears.
1st, That the American government
is prepared, In the eveat OF his Maies
|y's conserving to withdraw the ordei S
in council Of January and November
1907, to withdraw contemporaneously
on its port their Introduction Of lis har
bours to ships OF war, and all Non.in
tercourse and Non-importation acts, SO
Tar as respects Great Britain, Leaving
them in force with respect to France,
and the powers which adopt or act un-
der her DEGREES:
23ly, What is OF the utmost impor-
lance as precludicg new source of mis-
understanding which might arise after
the adjustment Of the o:her questions
that America is willing TO ienounce,
during the present war, the pretsnsion
of carrying on in time of war, all trade
with the enemies colonies, from which
she was excluded during peace:
3dly, Great Britain for the purpose
of securing the operation of The en-
barge and Of the bona Ede intention
of America, to prevent 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 a.
nerican vessels as may be found at
empling TO trade with the ports Of any
,fthose powers without which secu-
-ity for he observance Of the embar.
-, the raising it ironically with res
,ect to Great Britain alone, would Ia
act raise it with respect to al the
80 III