Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-01-10

which his Britannia AIsiosfy's ambassador AZ
the court Of St Petersburg presented to thu
Russian government OH the first of September
preceding.
By this communication it appears that
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent re.
jected the mediation offered hy his Impe.
rial Majesty to promote peace between In.
the United States and Great Britain, and promo.
sed to treat directly with the United States at
Gottenburg or London, and that he had re-
questedthe interpretation of the good Offices of
the Empesor in favor OF such an arrangement.
Having laid your Lordship's communication
before the President, am instructed 10 state.
for the information Of his ROYAL ilighness the
Prince Regent, that the presidenthas seen with
regret this new obstacle to the commencement
of a negotiation for the accommodation OF diff.
ferences between the United States and Great
Britain. As the Emperor of Russia was dis
tinguished for his rectitude and i:npartiality-
and was moreover engaged in war, as an aIiv
of England, whereby it was his interest to pro.
mote peace between the United States and Z,
Britain. the President could not doubt that ~.
Royal Highness the t'rinee Regent would a..
cept the mediation, which his Imperial NJ, 80
" had offered to them It was the eonfdsr-,
with which the high character of the Emne,o.
inspired the President, that induced him ~.
regarding considerations, which q more c,u,;.
Gus policy might have suggested, to accent The
overture with promptitude, and to send minis
ters to st. Petersburg, to take advantage of 4,
It would have been very satisfactory to The Pr.
sident, if his Royal iIFhress the Prince he.
gent had found it compatible with the view. or
Great britaia, to adopt q similar measure a.
much delay might have been avoided. in a..
o6mplshing an object, which il is admitted !.
OF high Importance TO both nations :. - =;
H., - x..~.~- --.I - A - + .
Ice cSsr p proposed as substitute for negosia-
Emperor oil Russia could not, must remark IN
you Lordship have been required for. the n,,'oso
Of keeping the U. States unconnected AGAINST q;
britain, with any affairs OF the continent Thew
was nothing in tho proposed mediation tending 10
such result The terms Of the overture indicated
the contrary. In offering to bring the p,rties TO-
gcthcr, not as an umpire, but rs a common friend
t?oIscuss and settle their differences and respective
claims IN manner satisfactory 20 themselves. His
Imperial Majesty showed the interest which he ,so
in the welfare Of both parties. -
Wherever the United States may treat. thew
VIII treat win the sincere desire they have repeat
eddy manifested, of terminating the present contest
with Great Britain ON cond lions Of reciprocity con-
sistent with tho rights OF bot parties rs sovcre;,
and independent nstions, and calculated not oniy
20 establish, pre- ,ent harmony, but TO provide, ms
far pessble against future collisions which might
interrupt il.
Before giving an answer to the preposition
communicated by your Lordship. to treat
with the Uni ed States independently of The
Russian Mediation, it would have becn a,.
greeable to the President to have heard from
the Plenipotentiaries Of the United States.
to St. Petersburg. The offer of a M.distir
on by one power. and the acceptance of i bv
another forms relation between hem. the
delicacy OF which cannot bot he feit.-From
the known character however of the Fmne.
ror and the benevolent views with VIII oh h;e
mediation was offered, the President cannot
doubt that he will see with satisfaction q
concurrence of the u. States in An alterna-
tive which under existing circu instances. az.
lords the best prospect of obtaining xpeedilv
what was the object Of his intevpositior
am accordingly instructed to make known
to your Lordship for the information of His
Royal Highncss the Prince Regent. that the
President accedes to his proposition. and
will take the measures depending on him
for carrying it into effect at Gottenbure w;th
as little delay as possible ; it being presum,
ed that His Majesty the King of Sweden. as
che friend OF both parties. wiLread,Iv ac-
quiesce in The cnoice Of place for their ma.
'ciic negotiations, within his domin.ons.
Enc Presidents duly sensible Of the at.en.
ton of His Royal Highness the Prince Re-.
gent, in giving the orders to the Admiral
commanding The British squadron on this
coas which your Lo: dship has communica-
ted.
have tho honor to be, &c.
JAMEG MONunrS