Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-08-03

'S4uitcu oy you because this govern.
ment had not sufficient authority to
make any engagement as to what should
be the determination of the u. States.
through its slegislative assemblies
upon the state of their foreign rela-
|tions.
It rested with the Congress alone
to declare, that the non.interceurse
law should be continued or not. and in
what manner it should be carried in
to effect. The President could do no
more than act upon the law as it exis-
ted. 4 have already furnished YOU, in
my No. 20, with my reasons for be.
iIeving that all the conditions would,
have been accomplished by the Con-
gress, which, had pledged themselves
IN the most solemn manner. to resist
the restrictions upon their neutral
rights, against such powers as should
infringe them.
l had informed you in some dis.
patches sent before I had received nv
instructions, that the American govern
ment did not know with sufficient aeon.
racy, what nations had issued or enfor-
ced DEGREES violating neutral rights.
but that when they could ascertain that
fact, there could be no doubt that the
Congress would make the non.inter-
course act to comprehend all such pow
ers as should adopt or act under the
DEGREES of France.
1t appears from the general tenor of
your dispatches, Nos. 1oand II, that
his majesty's government were not
willing to trust to assurances from the
American government, but that official
pledges were to have been required.
which could not be given for want OF
power, some of them also being of a
nature which would prevent formal
recognition.
Had | believed that his maiesty's
government were determined to insist
upon those conditions being complied
with, In one particular manner only.
! should have adhered implicitly TO nv
instructions /; but as collected from
them, that his majesty was desirous
OF accomplishing his retaliatory system
by such means as were most compati-
bic with good understanding, with
friendly and neutral powers, 1 felt con-
hdent that his majesty would have ap
proved of the arrangements I had con-
Guided, as one likely to lead to cor
dial and complete understanding and
cooperation on the part of the United
States, which cooperation never could
be obtained by previous stipulation,
either from the government of the
United States who have no power to
accede to them, or from the Congress,
which would never acknowledge them
as recognitions to guide their con.
duct. Ihave, &c. &c.
(Signed) d. M. ERSKINE
No. 6.
Dispatch from the Hon. David M. Err.
skine to Mr.. Secretary Canning. da-
ted Washington, 10th of August,
1909.
SIR, 1 beg leave to request that you
will be pleased to lay before his ma
|jesty my most grateful acknowledge
ments for the communication which
you have made to me by his commands.
that, /" his majesty entertains no doubt
of the good intentions and zeal for
his majesty's service by which 1 have
been led to depart from my instruc.
ltions."
Nothing could have induced me tc
have deyiated in the slightest degree
from the orders had received, but 2
thorough conviction upon my mind
that by so doing, to certain extent, j
should accomplish the object which
his majesty had in view, when by toe
strictly adhering to the letter of nv
instructions, l might lose the oppor.
tunity of promoting essentially hi.
majesty's wishes and interests.
| Isu6mit myself with great Difference
to his majesty's commands and shall
accordingly deliver to Mr.. Jackson
whom his majesty has been pleased &C
appoint in my place as envoy extraor.
Urinary and minister plenipotentiary tc
the u. S. all the papers and document.
belonging to the mission, whenever ht
shall present to me his malesty's order
tor that purpose.
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Il Tp0H