Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-18

SIR,
had the honor to receive your letter.
OF the 18th instant, together witfits three en-
closures, en- the rad between Baltimore and
this city; had that of receiving at the same
time your letter dated Oct. /, in answer to
mine of the Goth of last July.
Not having had any dispatches from his
Myssty's government lately, I have not as
yet received the copy of the recent commn-
nlca'ion from Paris in regard to the suppo-
sed repeal of the French DEGREES viii, 4
Charge d'affairs ofthe u. States at London
mas intimated to you that he understood the
Marquis Wellesley intended to transmit To
me, and which conclude is the same as that
contained IN the letter of Mr.. Russell. the A.
merican Charge d'affairs in France. lam
however in daily expectation of the arrival Of
mis- majesty's packet boat, when it will in all
probability reach me, and when if / should
receive any fresh Instructions in consequences
will not fail immediately to acquaiit you.
In the meanwhile, however, beg YOU viii
permit me TO make some remarks in reply
to your letter OF October 1, being extremely
anxious to do away the impression which VOL,
seem to have receivedrelatiye to the demand
lind made for the repeal of the non-impor-
tation act OF the present year.
1t IS, assure you, sir, with very great re-.
greet that ind you Consider that demand as
involving in any degree propositions tending
TO degrade your nation. Such an idea Ger.
tainly never existed with his Maiesty's 90.
vernment, nor would it be compatible with
the friendly sentiments entertained by them
for the United States, neither could I have
suffered myself to be the channel of convex
ing demand which ! thought had such a.
tendency. However you view the demand
made ON the part of Great Britain, I can
safely say that 1t was made in consequence
of its appearing TO his Maiesty's governments
on strong evidence that the chief of the
French nation had really Observation-Disclosures
as to the repeal of his DEGREES and in the hopea
that ths United States government would
therefore see the justice of replacing this
country on its former footing OF ameable re-
lations with England, nothing appearing to
be more natural than such an expectation.
which seemed necessary consequences cS
the disposition expressedby America to main-
tain her neutrality, ard desirable in every O.
Their point Of view. I cannot indeed bring
myself to think, sir, that your candor would
allow you, on consideration, to put any o.
Their construction on the matter, and had my
arguments had sufficient weight with you in
shelving that the French DEGREES were still
in force, cannot doubt but YOU would have
agreed with me in the conclusion drew it
would seem therefore only owing to your noe
viewing the deceitful condnct of the French
government in the same light that il appears
to His MaJesty's government, that differ
ence of opinion exists between US as 70 the
proposal made, which under the conviction
entertained by them was surely a very Just
and natural one.
From the earnest desire of vindicatine nv
self and my government from the charge of
making any degrading or unjust demands on
that of America, have taken the liberty to
trouble you so far, and will now proceed to
shew why thoughtyou had misunderstood
the passage Of my letter which related to the
extent in which the repeal Of the French de-
crees was required by Great Britain. Tn the,
| explanation which you desired ON this point
! gave you that which the Marquis Welles.
ley gave to MIR. Pinkney In answer to his LETT
ter Of August IS, 1910. and ] beg to refer YOU
to the message of the President Of tho United
States on the opening of Congress IN Decem-
Der 1910, for proof that the demand Of @.
| Britain in the extent IN which have stated
Il was known 70 your government several
| months ago; how was therefore 70 suppose
in the term innovations, as applied 70 the ex-
PLANTATION given by me, that you could mean
| otherwise than some really new pretehtion on
the part Of G.. Britsin, such as that France
should suffer British property to be carried
into her ports for the purpose Of trade IL
tire warmth was betrayed into in endeavor-
ing TO refute a supposed impustion of this
| sort gave any offence, i sincerely regret Il.
and will beg permission here TO say, sir,
Il