Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-12
JAMES MADISON.
March 9, 1912.
Mr.. Henry 10 ETr. Monroe.
Dl,,IaJ.t,,l., RI on 20.

secretary Or STATE, Sc.
SIR-Nluch observation and experience
have convinced me, that the injuries and in
suits with which the United States have been
SO long and so frequently visited, and which
cause their present embarrassment, have
oeen owing to an opinion entertained by for
eign States, "that in any measure tending
TO zooui'd their f,ide, or f,rouoke their hosti-
hty, the government ofthis country could ne
DER induce great myo,ity Gifts cifizens 70
concur. as many Of the evils which
How from the influence of this opinion on the
policy OF foreign nations, may be removed by
any act that can produce 0aGuinity among
all fartieS in .4meric0, voluntarily tender
toyou, sir, such means, as possess, towards
promoting SO desirable and important an OBJ
Ject; which if accomplished cannot fail TO
extinguish, perhaps forever, those expecta-
tions abroad, which may protract indefinitely
an accommodation of existing diferances,
and check the progress Of industy and pros
perity in this rising empire.
/ have the honor to transmit herewith the
Documents and Correspondence relating to
an important mission in which was employ
ed by Sir James Craig, the late Governor
General Of the British Provinces, in North
America, i'll the Winter of the year 1909.
The publication of these papers will de-
monstrate a fact not less valuable than the
good already proposed it Will prove that,
no reliance ought to be placed on the profess
sion of good faith Of an administration, which
by series of disastrous events, has fallen
into such hands as a Castlereagh, a Welles-
ley or Liverpool--I should rather say into
the hands of the stupid subalterns, to whom
the pleasures and the Incidence ofthose Min
isters have consignedit.
In contributing to the good of the United
nv a m P,sDOstiOn rb IT 81;
fail to solve and melt all division and disuni-
on among its citizens, flatter myself with
the fond expectation that when it is made
public i'll England it will add one great mo-
tive to the many that already exist, to in
duce that nation to withdraw it's confidence
from men svhose hoGticaL career is q, fruitful
source of injury and embarrassment in IL
merica Of injustice and misery in ireland !;
# distress and atlfrehenSion IL, England !;
and CONTEMPT eUery geherc. In making this
communication TO you, sir, deem it incuul-
bent on me distinctly and unequivocally to
state that adopt no Party views that have
not changed any of my political opinions;
that neither seek nor desire the patronage
nor countenance of any Government nor of
any Party and that in addition to the mo-
tives already expressed am fucnced 5y a
Just resentment of'the 1sel7fay and diShonor
ofShose Suho first piolated the conditions IN
on 7ohichsI received their confidence who
have injured me and disappointed the expec-
| tations of my Friends, and left me no choice
but between degrading acquiescence in in
justice, and retaliation which is necessary
to secure to me my own respect
This wound will be felt where it is merit
ed; and if Sir JAMES C8AIc still live, his
share of the pain viii excite no sympathy IA
| mong those who are at all in the secret of our
connection.
j have the honor TO be, sir, your most ODE
dent servant, &c. &c. &c.
Signed J. HENRY.
No. ].
Mr.. RrLATD, SECRETARY TO Sir James Craig
late GoUernor general Of the British fro
hinges in North america, TO Mr.. HEYRr.
APPLICATION TO UNDERTAKE THE MIS-
SION TO THE UNITED STATES.
Most secret and contideutlal1
Quebec, 26th Jan. 1909.
My dear sir,
The extraordinary situation Of
things at this time in the ncighboriug states
has suggested to the Governor in Chief the
idea of employing you on a secret and con-
fidential mission 10 Boston, provided an ar
| rangement can be made to meet the impor
tant endin view, without throwing an abso-
lutte obstacle IN the way OF your professional
pursuits The iHformation and f,otticut OBJ
sey7Uations heretofore recefUed Iron you 7OcTe
transmitted by his Erce3leHcy to me Secre-
tary Of State, zUko has EXPRESSED his 9arfiea-
iarafftrobation Qjrfhen,, and there is no dou5f
that your abte erecution Of such Il mission as
haze aboUe Suggested 7Uouid gfUe y0u a
claim not only on the G0UerHor General 6nf
on his b1aiesfy's ministers which might even
tually contribute to your advantage. You
will have the goodness therefore to acquaint
me for his Excellency's information, whether
YOU could make it convenient TO engage in a
n"ssion of this nature, and what pccuniary
assistance would be required to enable you to
undertake It without injury to yourself.
At present Il is only necessary for me to
add, that the Governor would furnish you
with cypher Tor carrying on your corres-
pondence, and that in case the leading par
" in any Of the states wished 70 open a com
mnnIcation with this government, their views
might be communicated through you,
AN, with great truth ard regard, my dear
Sir, your most faithful, humble servant,
(Signed)
HERMAN w. RYLAND.
jim Henry, Gsq.
No. RI.
GeRsrH irsfyuct2ns from Sir J. IT, Croiq 10
Nh. Henry respecting his secref ,nission.
E-rrrYEurN