The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1814-11-09
Mr.. Monroe to the Envoys Extraordinary and Plcni
potentiaries of the United Ssates.
llshorfp,enf of <fotst I.,,,a CIf

Dcpoffnschf ef ofsfe, JNhc 70, 1914.
GEsrLEMEN--No ocommunica,on has been
received from the Joint mission which was
appointed 10 meet the commissioners OF The
British government, at Goiicnbug. n letter
from MIR. Bayard, at Ams,erdam of 18th
OF March, was The last from either of our
commissioners. a, was inferred, from thar
ie,ter, and other circumstances, that Mr.,
Bayard, Mr.. Galatin, and Mr.. Adams, would
be in Gouenbu, g---antk Il has been under
stood, from other sources, that MIR. Clay and
Russell had arrived there about the slh "A
prl. tits therefore expected, that meeting
will have ,akenplace in May, and that we
shall soon be made acquainted with your scn,i.
ments OF the probable result of the ncgocia-
tion.
itis impossible, with the lights which have
reached us, TO ascertain the present dsposi-
tion OF the British government towards ar
accommodation with the United States. We
think /, probable that the late events in France
may have had tendency 10 increase its pre-
tenlions.
Al war with G. Britain and injured by
France, the United S,a,es have sustained the
attitude founded on those relations. No rcIi.
ancc was placed on the good Offices OF France
in bringing the war with G. Britain 70 q sat.
isfartory conclusion. Looking steadily. to an
honorable pense, and the ultimate a,sainmcnt
OF justice from both powers, the ptesident
has endeavorcd, by consistent and honorable
policy, TO take advantage Of every circum-
stance that might promote that result. He
nevertheless knew that France held place
in the political system ot Europe and OF The
world, which, as check on England, could
no, fa,l 10 be useful TO us---Whut eject the
late events may have had, in these reSpects,
is the important circumstances of whi, h you
are doubtless better informed than we con 5e,
The President accepted the mediation OF
Russia from respect for the character OF the
emperor, and belief that our cause, in all the
points in controversy, would gain strength by
being made known 10 him. On the sa,ne
principle, hs preferrcd Gin accepting The Britt
ish overture, to treat independently Of ,hc
Russian rnedia,ion) 10 open the negotiation
on the coRtincnt, rather than at London.
!. Il was inferred from the general policy Of
Russia, and the friendly sentiments and IN
,crposition Of the emperor, that a respect fot
both would have much ipfucncc, with the
British cnbinet IN promoting = pacific Pelis,
tpwards us. The inenner, bowsvsr, II which
Il j. understood that general .pacification u
taking pacc--the influence Great. Britain
may have in pnodifyipg the arrangements. IN.
volved 10 it--thc resources she may be-. able
10 employ exclusiveI Iy agsinst tho United States
and the uncertainty of the precise course
which Russia may pursue in relation TO tho
war between tho United States and g. Britain
naturally claim attention., and raise the i'm;
pcl,ant question 10 reference 10 the subject Of
imPressmeht, pn which III presumed your
negociations swilkessenliallytu turn, n hclher }our
powers ought 90! 10 be enlarged, so a. 10 EN-
able you to give 20 those circumStahces all
The weight TO which they may be. entitled.
On full consde ration, il has been decided,
that in case no stipulation can be obtained
from the British government at ihis ftoirchi,
when its pretcnsions may have been much
heightened by recent events, and the state. Of
Europe be most favorable 20 ,then,, either
relinquiphing the claim TO impress from A.
n.crican vessels, or disseminating The practice,
even in, cchsiteralion Of the proposed ;excio-
sion from them Of British sesincb, you may
concur In an article, sl.pulsting that the subs
ject OF impressment, together With that .o&
commerce between the two seuptsirs,. be rc-
icrcd 10 scpcrate neeocisliob, 10 be yndertn3
ken, without delay, at such place ss you may
be able TO agree on fcrring this city, il tobS
Obtained annex at the close of this ieisSr
a project Of on article, expressing .pnote dis
tinctIy, the idea which il is intended to COM
municaie, not meaning theeeby 10 restrain
you in sny respect as TO the form. Con =
mercc and seamen,,hc objects ofimpressmeut
may, with great proprie,y, be arranged in thu
ssme instrument. By stipuls,ihg that, eotn~
fnissioners shall forthwith be appointed for
the purpose, and that all rights on this sub
jeet shall, 10 the mean time, be reserved, the
faith fthe British government WILDE pIedged'
TOE fair experiment 10 an amicabIe mode, and,
the hooor and rights Of the Uuitsd States 40,
curcd---Tbe United States having resisted, b1r,
war the practice of imprcssment, and eonsin
ued the wa, until that practices had ecased, 81
apeaec 10 Europe their obiec, has been essen =
TALLY obtained for the present. II may res''
sonabIy be expected, that the arraogemen
contemplated and provided fof, will take cffees,