The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-08-15


tnc British Parliament, respecting American
affairs, Is despatch from Mr.. Erskjne TO Mr..
tanning, dated 9Th December, 1908, which
principally relates to conversation between
Mr. Erskinc and myself This took place at
my house, and without any previous appoint
mcnt But as MIR. Erskme had during the
preceding week convcrsed with Mr.. Madison
on the same topicks, and the result had been
communicated TO me the day before by Mr..
Madison, was prepared for the Subject; and
every sentiment | uttered was In perfect uni
son with those Of the President and of the
Secretary Of State. What was meant by
colonial trade has already been explained by
Mr. Erskine; but as his own share in those
conversations WITH several members Of the
administration, in his dispatches, is altogether
omitted, and the conditions expected by the
United States from Great Britain, are not
distinctly explained, h Is proper to state brief
" the general grounds which were consider
ed here AS forming proper basis for an adj
lustment OF differences, il conciiiatory dis.
position was found to exist on the part Of the
british government.
J. kefGrsnon for fhe attack OF he CAesc-
teoke-The Presidents proclamation merg-
ing IN the proposed non-intcrcourse act, by
which the publick ships of both Great Brit
am and France would be excluded from the
ports OF the United States, the ostensibIe OBJ
stacie to making the reparation, acknowledge
. edto be due, was removed
2. Orders Of Council To be repealed sim
ply on the ground of the nonintcrcourse act,
applying in that event, exclusively to France,
SO long as her decrees violating the neutral
rights OF the United States, continue in
iorce. ,n,sNtf
8. InViressmenf Of Seamen--To be entire.
Abandoned, America agreeing to exclude
, from her navigation, seamcn, not citizens Of
the United States, on the principle contained
IN the instructions of The 2oth of May, to
Messrs. Munroe- and Pinkney, which, on ac-
count OF the rupture.of the negotiation, were
not, an that respect, acted upon.
=. Colonial zr0de-The right TO direef
trade, viz that carried on directly. from the
cplohies 70 the bclligcrents in Europe, to be
I sasSd BY shs Unissd Htufes provided that
the Chited States and the colonies, Ed that
in colonial articles between the United States
and other countries, wps formally recognized
according to the principles contained in, the
same Instructions ss@ sTst
8. Commerriai ReiaHous..-.1 The partial non
importation act of the United. States, and the
convoy and other extra duties OF Great Brit
ain, to be repealed, and generally every source
OF collision arising from that species Of COM
msrcial warfare to cease, BY = mutual repeal
q. all discriminating duties, in conformity
with the instructions to Mcssrs. Munioc and
Pinkney before S,,entioned. The two nations
to place each other, in every other respect, ,on
the footing Of the most fayoured nation.
On this last point, my observations were
general, and equally applying to both coun-
Siss. The system of restrictions which
those Of Great British had f6rced the United
States 70 adopt, being equally Injurious to
both. And Mr.. Erskine is mistaken in sup
posing that would have preferred, at FIRST,
measures OF more decided nature to the cm-
barge.
/ MIR. Erskine appears, 50 far AZ can be infer
ed from the correspondence now published,
to have supposed, that in order to induce his
government to take into consideration those
proportions, and to adopt conduct consist
ent with just principles and with the great and
permanent interests of Great Britain, il was
absolutely necessary to dissipate the preiudic-
es they had imbibed And his efforts seem
accordingly to have been principally used in
trying to convince them of the sincere dispo-
sition Of the members OF the American adj
ministration TO adjust the differences between
the two countries. Knowing the carnestness
OF his endcavours in promoting that objec.,
the difficulties he had to encounter in his at
tcmpts to induce the British ministry to take
q comprehensive and correct view Of the sub
jcct, and the sanguine temper which he dis.
covered throughout the whole transaction,
feel no disposition to cavil a, the general col.
curing Of the language ascribcd either 10 o,her
members of the administration, or to myself
But there is part Of the despatch in which
cannot Tor moment, acquicsce.
From casual expressions imperfectly un.
ders:,od, and Incorrectly stated, aud from
what he calls my manner xsS slight insinu
ations," Mr.. Erskinc iDfers hat I though
that the President (Nr. Jehersn) had ssses