Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-09

l ,
n to suffer me to. take a memorandum of
ais communication at the time he made it.
understood from him, that the dispatches
had been opened by Mr. Foster at Hal
lax, who, in consequence of a conversation
he had with Vice Admiral Sawyer and Sir
John Sherbroke, had authorised Mr.. Baker |
TO say, that these gentlemen would az ee, |
rs measure leading to suspension of hos |
tiiities, that all captures made after a day to |
be liked, should not be proceeded against |
immediately, but be detained to await |
the future decision Of the two governments.
Mr.. Foster had not seen Sir George Provost,
but had written to him by express & did not
doubt butthat he would agree to an arrange
ment torthe temporary suspension of hostlii-
lies. MrBaker also stated that he had receiv-
ed an authority from Mr.. Foster to act as
charg DIES affairs, provided the American
Government would receive him in that
character, for the purpose of enabling him
oincially to communicate the declaration
which was to be expected from the British
Government his functions to be understood,
OF course, as ceasing on the renewal of hos
tilities. l replyed, that altho,' to SO general
raj and informal communication, no answer
might be necessary, and certainly no partic.
ular answer expected, yet, was authorised
TO say, that the communication is received
with sincere satisfaction, as it is hoped that
the spirit in which it was authorised by his
government may lead to such further COM
muncations as will open the way, not only
tor an early and satisfactory .termina-
ton of existing hostilities, but to that en-
tire adjustment of all the differences which
produced them, and that permanent peace
and solid friendship which ought to be nlutu-
ally desired by both C, untries and which is
sincerely desired by this. With this desire,
an authority was given to Mr. Russell on the
subject OF an armistice as Introductory to
final paciication, rs has been made known
TO Mr. Foster, and the same desire will be
lett on the receipt of the further and more
particular communications which are short
~ to be expected with respect to tile Joint
animation from M. Foster and the British
authorities at Halifax on the subject of sus.
pending judicial proceedings in the case of
maritime captures, to be accompanied by
suspension OF military operations. The au-
thorty given TO Mr. Russell, just alluded To,
and OF which Mr.. Foster was the bearer, is
full proof the solicitude of the government
OF the United States to bring about a general
suspension of hostilites on admissible terms.
with as little delay as possible. 1t was net
to oe doubted, therefore, that any other prac-
ticable eXpedient for attaining similar re-
suit would readily be Concurred IN. Upon
the most favorable consideration, however
which could be given to the expedient sus-
gestion thro' him it did not appear TO be re-
duceaole to any practicable shape to which
the Executive would be authorised to give
1t the necessary sanction, nor indeed is it pro
bable that if it was less liable TO insuperable
d'fhculttes, that 1t could have any material
effect previous to the result of the pacific al.
vance made by this government, and which
must, IT tavorabiy received, become opera
tive as soon as any other arrangement that
could now be made. 1t was stated to Mr..
Baker, that the President did not, under ex
listing circumstances, consider; Mr. Foster as
vested with the power of appointing charge
DIES affaires; but that no difficulty in point Of
form would be made, as any authentic com
municatlon through him, or any ether chan
mel, would be received with attention and re-
spect.
THE SEcRETARToF S7A7,E 70 MR.. RUSSELL,
dated DEPARTMENT Of Stale,
August II, 1912.
Ertruct.1
My last letter to you was of the 9th July,
and was forwarded by the British packet.
the Althea, under the special protection OF
Mr. Baker. The object of that letter, & of the
nex' preceding one of the 26th of June. was,
to invest you with power TO suspend by a..
presumed could not be rejected, the opera
ton of the war, which had been brought ON
the United States by the Injustice and vio-
ience OF the British government. AT the mo
ment IT The declaration of war, the Presi-
dent, regretting the necessity when produ.
ced l., looked To les termination and propid-
ed for 1t, and happy viii it be for both conn-
tries, If the disposition felt. AMI the advance
thus made on his part, are entertained and
met by the British government in a similar
spirit.
You have been informed by Mr. Graham
OF what passed in my late absence fir I'm the |
city, IN an.iutervew between Mr. Baker and |
mo, IN consequence of a dispatch from the !
British gcverument to Mr. Foster, received
at Halifax, just before lac sailed fr Eng and |
md transmitted by hun to Mr. Baker, rela-
Ing to proposed suspension or repeai of the |
British orders in council: You will have seen |
BY tbenote forwarded to you by Mr.. Graham, |
OF Mr.. Bakers communication tn him, that |
Mr. Foster had authorised him to- state, that |
the commanders otthe British forces at Hal |
max would agree to a suspension, after day |
TO be fDfed, Of the condemnation of prizes |
% await the decision Of both covenants. |
without however preventing captures ON Ell |
fher side. IL appears also that Mr.. Foster |
mad promised to communicate with Sir Geo. |
FieVost' and to advise him to propose to our |
government an armistice.
Sir George Provost has since proposed to |
Geitral Dcarborne, at the suggestion of Mr.. |
Fostci, a suspension Ut offensive operations
by laar. in q letter which was transmitted bv |
the general to The Secretary at War A pro.
yislonNl agreement was euoered into between |
General Dearborne and Col Bay,,es, the |
British adjutant general, bearer of General |
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