The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-10


and will be able to do it in man
Der more satisfactory. -
refer you to the enclosed papers for in
formation as to the maritime and military
movements incident to the war, and will
add, that the President is anxious to know
as sooi. as possible the result of the propo-
sails you were authorised to make to the
British government respecting an armistice.
He considers them SO fair and reasonable.
that he cannot but hope that they will be
acceded TO, and thus be the means of has
tening an honorable and permanent peace.
have the honor TO be, &c.
(Signed) JOHN GRAHAM.
Mr.. GRAHAM TO MR.. RUSSELL.
Dated Department of Safe.
August 10th, 1912.
oIR--lh linking that il MAJ possibly be
useful to you, do myself the honor to en-
close a memorandum of the conversation.
between Mr.. Baker and myself, alluded to
in my letter of yesterdays da;e. From a
conversation with Mr.. Baker since this me-
moranttum was made, j find that was COR
rect IN representing to the President that
intimation from Mr.. Foster and the British
authorities at Halifax was co be understood
as connected with a suspension of HOSTILE
ties on the frontiers of Canada.
i have the honor. &c.
(SigneeD John GRAHAM.
Mr.. baker verbally communicated to me
for the information of the President, that he
had received dispatches from his govern
ment. addressed to Mr.. Foster, dated Il
believe, about the 18th June) from which
he was authorised to say, that an official de-
claratiQn would be sent to this country. thar
the orders in council, SO far as they affect
ed the U. States. would be repealed on the
hrSt August, to be revived on the first If
May. 1918, unless the conduct of the French
government and the result of the commu-
nications with the American government
should be such as. in the opinion of His Ma
Jesty, to render their revival unnecessary.
Mr.. Baker moreover stated, that the or
ders wouldbe revived, provided the Ame-
riCan government did not, within fourteen
days after they received the official decla-
ration Of their repeal, admit British armed
vessels into their ports, and put an end to
the restrictive measures which had grown
out OF the orders in council
he dispatches autho-ising this commu
nicatlon to the American government ex-
pressly directed that it should be made
verbally, and Mr.. Baker did not consider
himself at liberty to reduce it to writing,
even in Che form of note verbal OF prone
morIa, or to suffer me to take a memoran-
dunn OF his communication at the time he
made 1t. understood from him, that the
dispatches had been opened by Mr.. Foster
at Halifax, who in consequence of con-
vcrsation he had had with Vice Admiral
Sawyer and Sir John Sherbroke, had autho-
rIsed Mr.. Baker to say, that these gentle
men would agree, as a. measure leading to
suspension of hostilities, that all captures
made after day to be fixed, should not be
proceeded against Immediately, but be de-
tanned to await the future decision of the
two governments. Mr.. Foster had not seen
Sir George Provost, but had written to him
by express, and did pot doubt but that he
would agree to an arrangement for the tenn
porary suspension of hosti.ities. MIR. Baker
also stated that he had received an autho-
rity from Mr.. Foster to act as charge dies
affaires, provided the American Govern
ment would receive him in that character.
Tor the purpose of enabling him officially to-
communicate the declaration which was TO
be expected from the British Government
his functions to be understood, of course, AZ
ceasing on the renewal Of hostilities. I re-
Piled, That although to so general and in
fortnal communication, no answer might
be necessary, and certainly no particular
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
munications as will open the way, not only
for an early and satisfactory termina ion Of
existing hostilities, but to that entire adjust
ment OF all the differences which produced
them, and that permanent peace and solid
friendship which ought to be mutually de-
sired by both countries, and which IL sim
cerely desired by this. With this desires
an authority was given to Mr.. Russell on
the subject OF an armistice as introductory
to final pacification, as has been made
known to Mr.. Foster, and the same desire
will be felt on the receipt of the further and
more particular Communications which are
shortly to be expected with respect to the
joint intmation from Mr.. Foster and the
British authorities at Halifax on the subject
OF suspending judicial proceedings in the
case OF maritime Captures, to be accompa-
med by suspension of military operations.
The authority given to Mr.. Russell just al
Iuded to, and of which Mr. Foster was tho
bearer, is full proof of the solicitute of the
government of the United States to bring a.
bout general suspension of hostiiities on
admissible terms, with as little delay az
possible. 1t was not to be doubted, there
tore, that any other practicable expedienc
Tor attaining similar result would readily
be concurred in. Upon the most favora5l@
consideration, however, which could be-
given to the expedient suggested through
him, 1T did not appear to be rcducible to any
practicable shape to which the Executive
would be authorised to give it the necessa--
ny sanction, nor indeed is it probable that
IT it was less liable to insuperable difficult
ties, that it could have any material efFecS
previous to the result of the pacific advance
made by this government, and which mus.
II favorably received, become Operative an
soon as any other arranpeme nv IN az -c.,lsy