No. 43.

London, March 31, 1806.

pre

SIR,-Your letter of the 13th January is the last that I have received. The pamphlet enclosed with it has been republished here, and I have this day transmitted a copy of it to Mr. Fox, with whom I had an interview on the 28th. I had expected from what passed between us on the 11th, that before this, much progress would have been made in the adjustment of our affair: I am, however, sorry to add, that this has not been the case. In the late interview, I complained of the delay which had taken place, more especially as the court continued to condemn our vessels on the principle it had heretofore done. Mr. Fox said, that till the business was arranged, he presumed the court would be consistent; but gave reason to expect that the condemnations would be suspended. He assured me explicitly, that the late decision was not to be considered as an evidence of the disposition of the sent ministry. I endeavoured to fix with him the conditions of our adjustment of that question, but found that he was not prepared to conclude any thing. The tenour of his conversation, however, was perfectly consistent with what he had said before on it, as heretofore communicated to you. The interview terminated in his assuring me that he should devote the Easter holydays to a full examination of the whole subject, after which he would be prepared to meet me on it, and that he was persuaded we might conclude it in a month or six weeks from that time; that he would certainly give it all the despatch in his power. He intimated, that if indeed a peace should take place, of which there was at present but little prospect, he was nevertheless desirous of settling this business amicably with the United States, with a view to preserve future harmony. I told him that we expected payment for the spoliations. He said that that was a very serious and difficult point; but gave no opinion on it. Finding that nothing could be done conclusively, I had only to assure him that I should be ready to meet him whenever he might be prepared, which I hoped would be immediately after the holydays. From what I can discern, I think that

there is much cause to believe that Mr. Fox has the best disposition to settle our differences on just principles; but it must be recollected, that some other of the members of the cabinet have not always thought with him on such topicks. On the most deliberate reflection, I am convinced that too much reliance ought not to be placed on these favourable appearances; and that there is cause to fear, that if the Congress should separate without adopting a system of coercive policy, calculated to meet the most unfavourable result, their forbearance may contribute to the disappointment of our reasonable expectations. By this, however, I do not wish to imply that measures of the kind alluded to should be carried into prompt execution. I mean only that the attitude should be taken, but its operation be suspended by suitable powers to the President, till he shall be duly notified that the negotiation has failed. Such a suspension will be deemed a sufficient mark of respect to those in the ministry who are disposed to a fair accommodation; and the attitude will, in my opinion, tend to aid their councils in producing that effect.

I am, sir, &c.

JAMES MONROE.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Monroe to Mr. Madison. London, April 3, 1806.

"As it appeared by what occurred in my interview with Mr. Fox, on the 28th ultimo, that some weeks at least would elapse before I could hope to bring our business to any conclusion, I thought it proper to make a formal application to him on the 31st, for an order to suspend the seizure and condemnation of our vessels on the principle of the late decrees. I had not requested this in explicit terms before, because I hoped from what passed in our first interview, that the whole affair would have been concluded much sooner. I was fearful too that if the demand should be granted, it would become a reason why nothing more should be done. This latter reason, it is true, still remains in some degree in force, if indeed it had any weight at first. It was, however, outweighed by the consideration that the seizures were continued, and that I ought not, on a mere speculative point of expedience, as

to the effect which such an application might have on the general question, to delay any longer my utmost exertion to put an end to the practice.

There were also some other considerations which prevented my making the application sooner, which had ceased, if they did not furnish motives for making it in the present stage. The new ministry had a just claim to sufficient time to become acquainted with the merits of the question, and even to sound the parliament on it, before it could be expected to take any step in the business. Had I made the demand at an earlier period, I thought I should incur the imputation of a want of candour, without a reasonable prospect of hastening a decision, unless indeed by urging it unseasonably, I might promote an improper one. To Mr. Fox, especially, much attention was due in the mode of proceeding, on account of his character and principles in reference to our country, which are known to be just and liberal. It seemed probable that, by respecting that sentiment towards him in the measures taken, his feelings would be gratified and his mind conciliated, which could not otherwise than produce a good effect. His exertions on topicks in which the United States were interested form an important trait in his political life; and it was evident in our first and subsequent interviews, that he looked back on them with interest and satisfaction. This, therefore, formed a special motive for giving time, and acting with delicacy in the business. At this period, however, the application seemed to be free from all these objections, while it had become obviously my duty to make it by the considerations stated in my note.

How the cabinet is disposed in this question it is not in my power to state. Some of its members are known to have differed with Mr. Fox in respect to the policy of Great Britain towards the United States, on former occasions and in similar cases. It is possible that the spirit of conciliation, on which the ministry is formed, may be felt in the present one. Every view, however, which I have been able to take of the subject, confirms me in the justice of the remarks which were communicated to you in my last of the 31st ultimo." I am, &c.

JAMES MONROE.

March 31, 1806.

MR. MONROE presents his compliments to Mr. Fox, and has the honour to send him a copy of an American essay, containing an examination of the principle on which the admiralty has lately condemned the vessels of the United States. As this work is written with great ability and candour, Mr. Monroe flatters himself that Mr. Fox will take the trouble to give it an attentive perusal.

Mr. Monroe has been much gratified by the assurances which Mr. Fox has given him in their several interviews, of his disposition to adjust the differences between their governments on the most just and liberal principles. He has high confidence in those assurances, and in the prospect they afford of an early accomplishment of their object. In consideration, however, of the great length of time which has elapsed since the commencement of the seizures, and that which will be required to conclude the business, he deems it his duty to submit to Mr. Fox, whether it will not be proper that his majesty's government should suspend the seizure and condemnation of American vessels on the principle in question. Mr. Monroe presumes, that such a suspension in any case, where one of the parties to an amicable negotiation was suffering very extensive injuries under the operation of a principle which they were desirous to adjust, would be proper. In the present one, however, it seems to him to be made peculiarly so by a late decision of the lords commissioners of appeal, in the case of the William, Treffrey, which confirms the principles of the former decisions, which have been, as Mr. Monroe presumes, so justly complained of by his government. He apprehends that this decision, unless followed by the suspension proposed, will be considered by the United States and his majesty's cruisers, as a sanction by the present government to the policy which has been heretofore pursued. In case his majesty's government thinks proper to adopt the measure which is requested, Mr. Monroe hopes that Mr. Fox will be so good as to give him early notice of it, that he may transmit it to his government without delay..

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Monroe to Mr. Madison. London, April 18, 1806.

"I RECEIVED yesterday a note from Mr. Fox, appointing to-morrow (Saturday 19,) for an interview, with which I shall of course comply. I met him afterwards, and had a conversation with him in the queen's drawing room, which, being of an interesting nature, I hasten to communicate to you. He took me aside, and observed that we must now soon settle our business. I replied, that I hoped he was ready to do it. He intimated that he was, essentially; that we would begin on Saturday, and pursue it without delay till it was concluded. Some remarks of his having led the conversation to the merits of the principal topick, I told him that he must leave us in the enjoyment of the trade in question, and pay us for the property taken. To the first proposition he immediately assented. To the second he said there would be objections. He added, that he had taken steps to prohibit the farther condemnation of our ships and cargoes, as I had desired, of which he intended to have informed me by note, but had been prevented by other business; he had no objection, however, still to do it. I cannot be positive whether he said that the prohibition extended also to the seizure of our vessels, though I rather think it did. When I see him to-morrow, I shall easily ascertain this. He observed that we must make some arrangements to accommodate them in return that the practice of buying or pretending to buy enemies' vessels, as was done in the north, ought to be suppressed, and he hoped that I would join him in it. I said that we would do all we could to prevent fraudulent practices; that such purchases were rarely made by our citizens, as we were rather sellers than purchasers of ships. He considered it in that light, and, I found, wished some precedent from us, which might avail him in the north, and make more acceptable at home the accommodation given us in other respects. I left this topick, however, open; having said nothing to compromit myself on it. As the whole of this conversation, though apart, was nevertheless in a publick room full of company, it was impossible to make it more precise. I could not, therefore, attempt to ascertain to what extent he was willing to leave