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

cciysd , and had the proposi'ion been accept.
ed, | should not have been withoS all hope
that il would have been approved by the Pre-
sident, as its prospective operation would
have prevented injustice and its reciprociiy
disgrace. Should /, however, urged by too
great zeal 10 produce an accommodations,
have mistaken, herein, the intentions Of the
President, / sill should have derived some
consolation from lehecting, that this PROPOSE
ton, thus frankly and explicitly made, afford
ed an opportunity of satisfactorily testing the
disposition Of this government, and might be
useful in removing much misconcepiion and
error. The refusal, indeed, Of this PROPOSE
ton, sufficiently explains the view which [
was assailed with the ostentatious parade or
The abortive negotiations relative to impress
ment the exaggeration of its pretended dif-
hcul,ics the artificial solemnity given TO its
character the affected sensbility 10 the pop
ular sentiment concerning it and the fastidi-
,ious exceptions taken 10 my powers and
proves most unequivocally the predetermina-
tion of the British government to reject, ae
this time, every overture for the discontinue:
ancc Of this degrading practice.
Most unfcigncdIy desiring to suspend the
existing hoslilitics between the two states
with a reasonable pi aspect of finally termna-
ting them In a manner honorable 10 both,
perhaps pressed with too much earnestness
the adoption of the arrangement which ] was
instructed TO propose for Lord Castlereagh
once observed, sumewha. loitiy, that If the
American government was SO anxious 10 ger
rid c} tie gpar, it would have an opportunity
Of doing so OH learning the revocation of the
orders in council. felt constrained on this
occasion TO assure his Lordship, that the anx-
ie,y Of the American government TO ges rid
Of the qcar was only pref of the sincerity
with which it had constantly sought TO avoid
it but that no event had occurred, or was ap-
pretended, TO Increase this anxiety. His
Lordship, correcting his manner, reioined,
that it was not his intention 10 say asly thing
offensive, but merely to suggest, that if the
American government sincerely wished for
restoration of the friendly relations between
The two countries, il would consider the revo-
cation of the orders in council as affording a
fair occasion for the attainment OF that object.
After pause of few moments, he added,
that if the United States did not avail them
selves Of this occasion, not only 10 put an
end TO the war which they had declared, but
to perform the conditions on which those or
ders were revoked, that inc orders would, OF
course, revive. could not forbear TO remind
his Lordship, that when tork this view of
the subject, in my note Of the Oath of Au-
gust, he had found it to be Incorrect but
hoped that now l was so fortunate as TO agreo
with him Oh this point, some provision would
be made, in case the terms proposed for an
armislicc should be accepted TO prevent the
revival Of those cdicts. His Lordship az.
tempted 10 explain, but could not distinct
ly seize his meaning.
The conversation ended with an assurance
on The part of his Lordship, that he would,
with as little delay as possible, communicate
officially to me. the decision Of the Prince
Rcgcn: ; and took my leave, forbidden 10
hope, that while tae present councils, and the
present opinion Of tho American people pre-
| vail here, this decision will be favorable.
have the honor 10 be, SC.
(Signed) JONA. RUSSELL.
| His Eyceilencu lanes 'f,~1 3c, u,
II