Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1814-01-13

iesty to promote peace between the United
states and Great Britain, but proposed to
treat directly with the United States at Got
'enburg or London. and that he had re
quested the interposition of the good offices
OF the emperor in favor of such an arrange
ment
Having laid your lordship's communica-
ton before the president, | am instructed
to state, for the information of his royal
highness the prince regent, that the presi-
dent has seen with regret this new obstacle
to the commencement of negotiation for
the accommodation of differences between
the United States aud Great Britain. As
the emperor of Russia was distinguished
for his reetitude and impartiality, and was
moreover engaged in war, as an ally Of
England, whereby it was his interest to
promote peace between the United States
and Great Britain, the president could not
doubt that his royal highness the prince re-
gent would accept the mediation, which his
imperial majesty had offered to them It
was the confidence with which the high
character of the emperor inspired the presi
dent, that induced him, disregardiug con
siderations, which moro cautious policy
might have suggested to accept the over
ture with promptitude, and to send minis
tiers to st. Petersburg, to take advantage of
it. 1t would have been very satisfactory to
the president, if his royal highness the
prince regent had found it compatible with
the views of Great Britain, to adopt SINH
lar measure, as much delay might have
been avoided, in accomplishing an object,
which, it is admitted, is Of high Importance
to both nations
The course proposed as substitute for
negotiation at ST Petersburg, under the
auspices OF the emperor of Russia, could
not, | must remark to your lordship, have
been required for the purpose of keeping
the United States unconnected against
Great Britain, with any affairs of the CONT
nent. There was nothing in the proposed
mediation tending to such a result-The
terms of the overture indicated the contra
ry In Offering to bring the parties toge-
ther, not as an umpire, but as common
friend, to discuss and settle their differences
and respective claims in manner salts
factory to themselves, his imperial males
ty Showed the interest which he took in the
welfare of both parties.
Wherever the United States may treat.
they will treat with the sincere desire they
have repeatedly manifested, of terminating
the present contest with Great Britain on
conditions of reciprocity consistent with the
rights of both parties, as sovereign and in
dependent nations, and calculated not only
to establish present harmony, but to pro-
vide, as far as possible, against future COLI
sions which might interrupt it.
Eafnrn oiyinu an ancysye.t 80 fhn r,~arras
ton communicated b. your lordship, to
treat with the United Gates independents -
Of the Russian me3iat 81, it would have
been agreeable to the president to have
heard from the plenipotentiaries of the Uni
ted States, sent to St. Petersburg. The of
fer of a mediation by one power, and the
acceptance of it by another, forms a rela-
ton between them, the delicacy of which
cannot but be felt From the known cha
racter however of the emperor, and the be-
neyolent views with which his mediation
was offered, the president cannot doubt that
he will see with satisfaction concurrence
! of the United States, in an alternative,
which, under existing circumstances, af-
fords the best prospect of obtaining speedily
what was the object of his interposition |
am accordingly instructed to make known
to your lordship, for the information of his
royal highness the prince regent, that the
president accedes to his proposition, and
will take the measures depending ON him
for carrying it into effect at Gottenburg,
with as little delay as possible; it being
presumed, that his majesty the king of
Sweden, as the friend of both parties, will
readily acauiesce in the choice of place
for their pacific negotiations, within his
dominons.
The president is duly sensible of the at
tention of his royal highness the prince re-
gent, in giving the orders to the admiral
commanding the British squadron on this
coast, which your Lordship has communal
Gated,
have the honor to be, &C.
JAMES MONROE.