Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-11-26

future discussion, upon the bare friendly
promise oft British government. If there
be one man ~ this nation still deluded e.
nough to apologize for the enemy, still so
credulous rs 70 hope for justice or solid
peace by any concession on the part OF our
administration short of absolute submission,
or By other means than war, he must deserve
shaver Crown, a strait waistcoat, water
Cruel. and a mad-honse
AS it may be useful for the people to un-
aerstard, distinctly, the course ofdiplomat-
ic events between this Country and Great
Britain since the declaration of war, we
shall lend orr aid to place al the circumstan-
ces in the cleaces, light possible.
I. War was declared on the 18Th of juno.
On the Goth of that month the Secretary of
State instructed Mr.. Russell to propose an
arrsstce. 70 be followed BY treaty, provi-
ded the orders in council were repea Ice! and
no illegal blockades were substituted for
them, and orders were given TO discontinue
the inpressmcnr of SeaUen from our vcs-
sells and to restore those already impressed
MIR Russell was also directed 70 assure the
British government that n law would be pas
scd by Congress to prohibit the employment
Of British seamen in the public or CONNER
cial service of the United Sta.es-tiiIs pro-
hibiton to he reciprocal. On the Oath of
August Mr. Russell! made t,isproposition 20
lord Castlcreagh, the British Secretary of
State for foreign affairs. On the 29th Of
August lord Castlercagh declined Mr.. Rus
sells offer, principally, as he then alledgcd,
because the British Admiral on the Ameri-
can station had been authorised to propose
to the government Of the United States an
Immediate and reciprocal revocation Of all
hostile orders, upon the conditions stated in
the order in council of the 2Sd OF June last
Lord Castlereagh also exp -esscd his sur
prize that the American government should
expect Great Britain, rs a condition prece-
dent, to desist from the practice of impress
ment simply OH the assurance of the passage
of law to prevent theemploymcp Of British
seamen in American vessels. His lordship
declined detailed discussion with Mr.. II. be-
cause, as lie said, the latter had no powers
to nrCoCiate.
@ On the 18th ofSeptember Mr.. Russell,
being previously authorised by the Secretary
of State under date of July eth, proposed
TO lord Castlercagh, second time, a con-
yention for the suspension of hostilities, with
view to treaty, which should provide,
by reciprocal arrangements, Tor the seCui'i-
ty of American and British seamen from be-
ing taken or employed IN the service of the
other power, for the regulation of their com
merce, and all other interesting questions
depending between them. In making his
proposal Mr. Russell distinctly stated to
lord Castlereagh, that the discon.inuancc oil
the practice of improvement, which before
had been required rs preliminary to an ar
mistice wouldbc now postponedto commence
cotemroraneously with the operation of the
law of the United States prohibiting the EN-
plovment of British Seamen, &c. Mr.. Rus
+ sell (sthont any Instruction. even went fur
Their; he proposed ID exclude from en-
ployment in the public and private ships o.
either party, native born citizens on sub
fleets. With regard to b!ockades, he only re-
Jaired that none should be instituted by G
Britain or the United States which were no
conformable to the acknowledged law of ma
tons. On the 18th uf September, after ta
wing had personal interview with Mr.. Rus
sell who produced his instructions, lord Cas-
tlereagh replied that there was no substan
tial difference between this second PROPOSE
Sion and the first one; that the form, indeed
was different, but more objectionable, as j
aimed at executing the same purpose i'll {
more covert manner. His lordslip also sig
nified that he did not think Mr.. Russell's in
structions sufficient to authorize him TO trea
on the subject of impressment; and, par
ticularly, that he was not empowered to in
dictate any SPECIFIC plan OF adjustment ol
that head. Mr. Russell on the 18th of Sept
reminded lord Castlereagh of their persona
>
shin at that interview Mr. Monroe's instruc
lions, and of having made a precise tendc
of law touching iinpressment; he likewis
expressed his surprise that, under these cir
EunstanceS lord Castlereagh should declar
that no specific plan in relation to impress
n,ent had been presented on the part of tn
United States. To this note his lordshi
made no answer, and Mr.. Russell left Lon
don.
8. Admiral Warren wrote to the Secreta
w of State OH the 3Oth of September, pre-
posing suspension OF hosiilties ON the col
ditions prescribed in the British order
council of June %, 1912 MIR. Monroe at
swcred admiral Warren on the 9Th Of DC
tober, expressed the earnest desire of til
president for pacihcaton. stated and re
rretted tie failure of the first offer mad
through Mr. Russell, represented that fires
instructions had been sent 20 Mr.. Russell I
Sbviate the purctilio OF the British goVerf
rnent, admonished the Admiral that n
peace between the two Countries could
durable unless inpressmcnt were provide
for, and hoped that admiral Warren ha
powers to treat on that topic. Mr.. MOI
zoe distinctly stated, also, that if che obiet
ton with the British lay To- the discontinuanC
of the claim of inpressment during the a
nistice, that an article relative TO imptes
nent might be discussed and arranged will
cnt an armistiCe, and that the way won
then be more fully open 70 general pac:i
cation. The Secretary of State stared
difficulty with respect to the revocation
rhc orders in council.
Having, with as much breyity as possi5l
fhus given the history of orr diplomatic /
tcrcourse with Great Britain since the d
s,aration Of war, we must beg the reader