The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-12-03
Mr.. RnsseA 10 Mr.. Monroe, dated

called Immediately at the Foreign Once 10
prepare Lord Casteeagh, by imparung 70
him the nature and extent OF my instrucuons'
for the communication which II became me
TO make 20 him. His Lordship was IN the
country, and was obliged to write 10 him
without previously seeing him. however
accompanied my official note (AC, with a
private letter (B*), Offering explanaton'
required, and soliciting despatch.
| waited until o'clock, the 10th inst. with
out hearing from his Lordship, when was
much surprized at receiving note (C) from
Mr. Hamilton, the under secretary, lndeh-
niteIy postponing an official reply 10 give
more precision to the transaction, Instantly
addressed to him an answer (D), and little
before o'clock, on the same day, received
an invitation (E), from Lord Castcrcagh TO
meet him at his house that evening at 9 ocik.
I waited on his Lordship, at the time APP
pointed, and found him, in company with Mr.
Hamilton, at table loaded with the records
Of American correspondence, which they ap-
pearcd 10 have been examining.
was courtcously received, and alter a con-
vcrsa,ion of q few minutes on indifferent SUBJ
iccts, | led the way 20 the business on which
l came, by observing that | had once more
been authorized to present the olive branch,
and hoped it would no, be again rejected,
Ills Lordship observed, that he had desired
tho interview TO ascertain, before he submit-
tcd nv communication oil the 9Th instant TO
the Prince Regent, the form and nature OF
the powers under which acted. To satisfy
him at once On both these points, l put into
his hands your letter OF the 27th July. the
more willingly adopted this mode of proce-
durc, as, besides the confidence which its
frankncss was calculated TO produce, the let
ter itself would best define my authority and
prove the moderation aud conci!iatory temper
OF my government.
Iii: I.ordship read il atten,ivcly. Hc then
commented at some length both on the shape
anu substance of my powers. WITH regard
TO the former he observed, that all my author
ity was contained in a letter from the Secre-
tary Of State, which, as my diplomatic tunc.
tions had ceased, appeared but scanty foun-
dation on which to place the important ar
ranrcment had been instructed to propose.
With regard to the extent Of my powers, he
could not perceive that they essentially differ
ed from those under which had brought Tor
ward the propositions contained N my note OF
tho oath Of August. He considered that ~
enter with me into the understanding, re-
quircd as preliminary to convention Tor an
armis,icc, he would be compelled to act on
UNEQUAL ground, as from his situation he must
necessarily pledge his government, when
from the nature Of my authority, could give
no similar pledge for mine. He could not
therefore think OF committing the British
faith and leaving the American government
free to disregard its engagements. Besides II
did not appear TO him, that, at the date ot
my last Instructions, the revocation oil the or
ders in council, on the 23d Of June, had been
received at Washington, and that great hopes
were entertained OF the favorable erect such
intelligence would produce there. The ques-
tion Of imprcssmcnt, he went on to observe,
was attended with difficulties OF which neith-
er I, nor my government appeared to be a.
ware. /" Indeed" he continued, there has
evidently been much msapprehcnsion on this
subject, and an erroneous belief entertained
that an arrangement, in regard to IL, had
been nearer an accomplishment than the facts
will warrant. Even our friends in Congress,
mean observing perhaps some alteration
in my countcnaucc) those who were opposed
to going 10 war with us, have been so conf
dent in this mistake, that they have ascribed
the failure Of such an arrangement solely 10
the misconduct Of the American government.
This error, probably originated with Nc.
King, for being much esteemed here, and
always we'll received by the persons then in
power, he seems to have misconstrucd their
readiness to listen TO bis representations aud
their warm professions Of disposition TO re-
move the complaints Of America, in relation
90 impressmeut, into supposed conviction
on their part Of the propicy Of adopting the
plan which hs had proposed. But Lord ST.
Vincent, whom he might have thought he
Had brought over TO his opinions, appears