Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-01-15

further, ;hatin that business / do act
expect any difficulty
There can be no miscouception as to
the terms TO be offered; for besides
that they were stated with great pre-
cision, in the conference alluded to,
in my letter to you, of the 9Th uitimo,
as well as in general. antecedent inter-
views, wrote lord Wellesley, the day
after that conference, private note
of which copy is transmitted, en-
closing a memorandum in pencil OK the
terms which Exclusive of any further
mark of displeasure to admiral Berk-
ley, very decidedly discouraged by
lord Wellesley chad been spoken OF,
IN our different conversations as fit TO
be proposed. i do not find, tnat 1
retained any copy of the memorandum
in pencil; but the terms. agreeing in
substance with those to which l in-
formed you, In my letter of the 18th
of June last, lord Wellesley had no
obiection,] were to this efct.
/. The overture to contain such a
recital, or statement, as is found in
Mr.. Erskine's letter to you Of the 18th
of April, 1909, Of the prompt disS-
vowal, by his Britannia majesty, of the
unauthorized act OF his naval officer,
whose REGAL, as mark of the kings
displeasurr, from highly important
and honorable command, Immediately
ensued.
2. To offer, without any reservati.
on, the restoration ofTthe men to the
ship from which they were forcibly ia
ken.
8. To offer, without any reservati-
ton, and as part of the terms of the
international adjustment, a suitable
pecuniary provision for the families of
the persons slain in the attack, and
for the wounded survivors.
1t was, moreover, understood, that
the paper, protrering these terms,
would not contain the illusions, which
have heretofore cccasioncd emaarraes
ment that the whole affair would be
made to take the most friendly cha
racter; and that l should be at liber.
ty TO express, in my reply to the over
ture, if 1 thought cit, the expectation
of my government as to the further
punishment of Admiral Berkeley.
ought to add, that, iii all my con-
versations with lord Wellesley, on the
case of the Chesapeake, he has shown,
not only disposition, but wish to ac-
commoSate it, and thatI am therefore
the more sstonisheda at the delay which
has taken place.
In a few days, I intend 70 renew
my efforts to bring this matter to a
conclusion. and to obtain an answer of
some sort TO my letter of the 3oth of
April. I am sufficiently inclined to
present strou e paper upon subjects |;
but, in the actual posture of affairs,
and IN the absence of such instructi-
ons from you, as would countenance
such step, 1 think it my duty to for
bear little longer.
1t is not impossible, that lord We'll
lesley's backwardness, TO close the
case of the Chesapeake, with me, may
arise from desire, that it should be
adjusted in America, through the new
minister. IF this were so, however,
he could have no inducement to con.
ceal it from NE, since he is aware
that / have always entertained the
same desire. When l see him 1 will
advert to this. am not yet able to
say, positively, who the new minister
viii be. Lord aud some others
are spoken of. Lord Wellesley has
given me no other written informati-
on, on the subject, than is contained
In his letter OF the 22d ultimo, already
communicated to you. His verbal in
formation has been to the same effect,
with this addition, that he retained his
opinion, mentioned in my unofficial
letter to you of the 4th of January
last that the minister to America
ought to be man ofrank. AS far as
may be prudent, shall not fail to do
all that is in my power to expedite the
appointment.
The letter from General Armstrong.
to which my letter, ofthe 9Th instant,
to lord Wellesley alludes, is dated the
oath Of July; and expresses his wish,
that the declaration of the British eo-
vernrnent, concerning the blockades,
may be obtained and forwarded with
out delay.
l have the honor to be, &c.