Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-08-03
Fear Dollars Per Aanam-Paid in Adyancs. ]
CORRESPONDENCE
Between Mr.. Erskine and Mr.. Can.
ning.-(coNcLuDxD.9
No. ID.

Dispatch from the Hon. David M. Err
skine to Mr.. Secretary Canning, da-
ted Washington. 9Th August 1909.
SIR,
Before proceed to lay before
you such explanations as have to of.
fer relating to the points mentioned in
your dispatch, No. III of the 2sd Nav.
in which you have expressed to me his
Emajesty's entire disapprobation of my
-deviations from the instructions con-
tainedi in your No. 9, transmitted to
meby Mr. Oakley, will take this OPP
portunity of informing you that the
American government did not consult
with me on the pfopriety or expedien-
cy of publishing the notes, which pas
sed between the Secretary of State,
Mr. Robert Smith, and myself in our
negotiations, but according to their
practice they made public the state of
their foreign relations at the moment
when they thought it was for the in
terest of the u. S. that it should be
known.
The reasons which were assigned by
the Secretary of State for having done
so, were certainly intended as favora-
bic TO his majesty's interest, since he
declared it was with a view to exhib-
it to the people of this country the
adjustment of differences with c.. Bril-
tain which had taken place, and the
prospect of further good understan-
ding, In order that the members of
Congress might assemble with favor
able sentiments towards Great Britain,
as also thatthe event might be spec
Oily and generally known in France,
so as to bring that power to defini.
tive determination respecting its rela.
tons with the II. S.
1t would be not only superaaous but
might be deemed improper, that L
should repeat the reasons already de.
tailed in my No. 20 of the 18th April.
which led me to believe, that had
not conformed to the spirit if not TO
the letter of your Instructions contain
ed in Your No. 2, since 1 have receiv
ed the communication through you of
his maJesty's disapprobation of The
manner In which have executed
them.
1t remains for me only to declare,
that | was greatly influenced in my
conduct by the repeated limitations in
your instructions, Tin No. 6, Jan. %, }
that "the sincerity of the good dispo.
sitions professed by the persons com.
posing the new American administra.
ton was the point most important in
the view OF the British government %
That disposition I was fully con.
WINGED, was entertained by this govern.
ment, which they were ready to evince
In any way consistent with the power
they held by the Constitution of the u.
States.
his majesty having thought proper
10 cause you to communicate his sur
prise and regret, that l should have
received such note as that from Mr..
Smith, in answer to the offer for repair
alton Tor the affair of the Chesapeake,
as proof of the acceptance by the go.
vernment Of the United States. of the
honorable reparation rendered by his
MAJESTY, Gin the same spirit OF con.
Citation in which it was proposed )" |
am therefore precluded from offering
any observations upon that subject, o.
Their than such as have ventured to
make in the preceding number of my
dispatches.
As further apology, I may be per-
mItted to observe that as had Il con-
ceive) full reason for believing tina,
the disposition of the government Of
the United States was conciliatory,
may have dwelt in my own mind, while
writing my note in answer to that OF
Mr.. Smith, upon that impression, and
may have on that account, attribute
TO Mr.. Smiths note, a stronger appear.
snee of Cancellation than the Language
OF It may justify.
1t is remarked by you in your No
II, OF the 23d May, that my instruc
lions did not authorise me to hold Out
the expectation, that his majesty would
send an envoy extraordinary to con.
ciudc treaty with the government oil
the u. S. until his majesty should
nave received from him an authentic
aud official recognition of the con