The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-11-24

II
Iexpressed IN the most general teyms-that the Ian
to take effect the of the practice OF
impressment, stoui, prohibit the employ Ia az OF tie
ndve SUBJECTS or citizens ct the one state, excepting
sac only as had srea,ly been nsturaized OH boar,
the private ami public ships OF the o,her--thus IL.
moving any digestion that might have been raised
WIN regard to the future effect of naturalization or
the formal remuneration OF any pr-stenled right.
With regard to b!ockades, proposed To fellow
the same course, and o?iy to agree that nene should
DC instituted, by either party which were not COZ for
'nab,e to the acknowledged laws oil MISUNDERSTANDING
he definition - snch bocksdes and all other details
~ be settled b. the commissioner in the lef;ni;iy.
treaty.
MAS disappointed and grieved to find that these
Propositions. moderate and liberal as they were,
should DO treated In manner which forbid me TO
expect their acceptance. was even asked, BY Mr.
Hamilton, If the U. S. would deliver uo the native
British seamcn who might be naturalizrd in Amer.
icS Although shocked at this demand, l mildly
rephed that such procedure would be disgrac esu
TO America without being useful c. Bi ain-that
the habits OF seamen were peculiarly unaccommo-
Eating that no one would patiently 20 through the
long probation, required by law, become the ci,i-
zen OF county where he could not pursue his pro.
tes.onai occupations-and that not to employ linn
In thus way would be virtually to surrender him to
G. Britain.
Twas disposed to believe, however, that a recip.
roca arrangement might be made for giving up de-
scrters from public vessels.
Here, pcrhsps, owe an apology to my govern
ment, For having, without its precise commands
hazRrt'ed the overture above mentioned, relative to
British subjects who may hereafter become citizens
ct the United States. In taking this step, however,
persuaded myself that did not trcspasa agains
the spirit OF the instructions which had received
and had the proposition been accepted should not
have been withoutal hope thatit woudhave been
approved by the President, as its prospective opera
ton would have prevented injustice & isreciprocity
disgrace Should ], howev er, urged by too great a
zeal to produce an accommodation, have mistaken
herein the intentions of the President still should
ann, ,l.ss<. g.
this proposition, thus frankly and explicitly made
anordsd an opportunity of satisfactorily testing the
9'spo"non OF this government, and might be useful
IN removing much misconccption and error. The
refusal ct this proposition sufficiently explains the
view with which Twas assailed with the ostentatous
parade OF the abortive negotiations relative to i'm
pretsment; the exaggeration of its pretended diff
suites: the artificial solemnity given to its charac
lhe affected sensibiy To the popular sentme MT
ccnesrnng it, and the fastidious exception taken TO
my powers, and proves most uneguivocally the pre-
determination Of the British government to reject
At TINS ome. every overture for the dscontinuanos
OF this degrading practice.
Most unfeigncdly desiring to suspend the existing
hostiiities between the two states with
prospect sfhnally terminating them in a manner
honorable to both, perhaps pressed with too much
saraestnesz the adoption of the arrangement which
was instructed to propose for Lord Cas,lereaeh
once observed, somewhat loftily that if the Ameri
oan government anxious TO pet rid of tLe
var, it would havs an opportunity of doing - on
eiC fcSoChtiOn OF the ORDERS IN council. Il
felt constraned this secession to assure his lord
ship that ths anxiety Of the American government
20 ger rfd 81 me svar was only proof of the SINGER
ny with which 1t has constantly sought to avoid it.
but that no event Ind occurred, appr ell
to encrease this anxiety. His Lordship, correctin.
ms manner, reoined that it his int ention TO
say any thing Offensive, but merely to suggest that
IT the American government sincerely wished for
restoration of the friendly relations between the two
countries, it would consider the revocation of tbs
orders in council as afford;ng fair occasion for the
attainment OF that object. After pause ola few
moments he added, that If the u States did not a.
vail themselves OF this occasion, only to put an
end to the war, which they had declared, but to
perform the conditions which those orders were
revoked, that the orders would, of course revive
could not torbesr toremind his lordshp, that when
took thin view Of the subject, in my note of the
24t., &C August, hl had found il to be ircsrTerf
but hoped that, now was fortunate as to agree
with him on this point, some provision wsuld be
made, in case the terms proposed for a srmis,ce
should be accepted, to prevent the reT7i of those
edicts His lordship attempted to explain, but
could not distinctly seize his meaning.
The conversation ended with an assurance on the
part oil his Lordshipt he would with as little de-
lay as possible, communicate officially TO me the de
sision OF the Prince Regent, and took my leave
forbidden to hope that while the present councils
and the present opinion of the American people pre-
vail here, this decision will be favorable.
have the honor to be, with great sonsdc, alton
& respect, siri your faithful obedent servant.
IONA. RUSSELL.