Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-11-21

i have the honor TO be, with great respect
and consideration, my lord, your lefdshlp,s
must f s1 WIN. PINKNEY.
The mossno5le Marquis Wellesley, &c. &c.
Nh. PlNKNEy TO Mr.. SMITH.
London, oath FEB. 1911.
SIR,
I received last night Lord Wellesley's an
swer (of which copy is encloscd) to my let
ter of the 18th inst He has marked 1t frl-
cate, and speaks of my letter to him as Private
also. My letter, however, was not SO mark
ed or intended and his answer, however
marked, is essentially an official communlca-
ton of great importance.
His letter amounts to an explicit declaration
that the orders in council are to be persisted
in: and it furnishes no evidence of a DISPOSE
ton to give us any thing but vague and gene
raj professions on any subject. did not there
fore hesitate to send him reply, declaring my
intention to take leave on the 2sth in pursu-
ance of my request of the 18th, and declining
to attend the princes levee on Tuesday the
2eth-of this reply copy is now transmit
ted
To mistake the views of this government is
now impossible. They are such as | always
believed them to be, and will | hope, be re-
sisted with spirit and firrnness.
In shaping nv course on this occasion, /
have endeavored to conform to the orders OF
the President signihed to me in your letter
of the 18th of November. With those orders,
as understand them, my own wishes certain
w concurred; but trust that have not SUI
fered inclination to influence my interpreta-
ton Of them.
According to your letter my functions were
to be considered as suspended OH the receipt
of it, if the British government had not then
appointed minister plenipotentiary to the U.
States. Such an appointment had not at that
time been made, and consequently the sus-
pension took place.
UponA careful consideration of your letter,
it appeared to me to look to revival OF my
functions, in the event of satisfactory
change in the posture of our relations" with
this country. l could not, indeed, find in 1T
any precise provision to that effect; but there
was apparently room for such constructions,
and l. have already informed you that, how
ever anxious to close my mission and retire
from the public service, was disposed to act,
for few weeks, upon that implication, in case
such a.change occurred in our relations as l
deemed satisfactory one.
1t could not be imagined that the appoint
ment of Mr.. Foster produced that change;
and, supposing it to be left, in some degree
at least, to my discretion to determine in what
it should consist, had no difficulty in decld-
ing that the immediate repeal OF the Orders
in Council and the blockade of May 1906,
distinct pledge on the affair of the Chesapeake,
and manifestation of disposition to accom-
>modate with US, on principles of justice on all
other concerns, were indispensable ingredi-
dients. 1t followed that, upon receiving Lord
WeIlesley's letter of yesterdays date, had
no choice but to press for my audience OF
leave.
1t may perhaps be thought that l ought not
to have refused to appear at Carleton House
on the 2eth, for the purpose of being present
ed, with the other foreign ministers, to the
Regent. I have not myself, any doubts at all
upon that point. My appearance at the levee
for such purpose would import that con-
slider my capacity, as the minister OF the y.
States, to be entire; and would, moreover,
encourage the delusion which now prevails
concerning the views of the British govern
ment towards America.
have the honor to be, with great respect
ands consideration, sir, your most obedient
humble servant,
WIN. PINKNEY.
LORD WELLESLEY TO Mr.. PINKNEY.
Marked 6 Driyateo)