tain Whitby's outrages at New York, his lordship took occasion to say, that, if they had been truly represented, they would meet with the severest censure here; that captain Whitby could not be condemned upon such grave charges, unheard; but that he would return to answer for his conduct.

To what was suggested by us on the subject of contraband, he replied only, that he and Mr. Jay had copied the enumeration, in their treaty, from the British treaty with Sweden.

Upon the commercial subject very little was said on either side. For obvious reasons, it was not proper that we should do more than lead to it in a very general way. On the West Indian branch of it lord Grenville remarked, that he did not feel the difficulties which were supposed by many to belong to it; and that he regretted that the 12th article of Mr. Jay's treaty had not been retained, as it would have prepared the way for the more complete admission of the United States into that trade. We inferred from the little that passed on this point, that lord Grenville looked to a prevailing prejudice here, at variance with his own opinion, as likely to oppose itself to our views.

As the illness of Mr. Fox had hitherto restrained Mr. Monroe from sending to him a note, which he had prepared on the subject of captain Whitby's proceedings, he took the opportunity, afforded by this interview, of asking the opinion of lord Grenville as to the course, which, in reference to that interesting object, would now be most proper, intimating at the same time his own desire, that his communication, delayed thus long by motives of delicacy and respect towards Mr. Fox, should, as soon as possible, be brought under the serious consideration of his majesty's government. Lord Grenville stated his opinion and his wish to be, that the note should be retained for the pre

sent.

On the 7th, Mr. Fox underwent the operation of tapping, by which he was much relieved; and his friends have since had great hopes of his permanent recovery.

On the 9th we called on sir Francis Vincent, and stated to him what had passed with lord Grenville. He now assured us that Mr. Fox wished extremely to act in our affairs himself, and the late favourable appearances seemed to justify an expectation that his convalescence would be sufficiently rapid to enable him to indulge that wish. He even went so far as to express his conviction, that, if there was one reason more than another, why Mr. Fox was at this time particularly anxious to remain in office, it was his strong desire to settle personally with us every question relative to our country.

The publick papers will inform you that lord Lauderdale has been sent by this government to Paris, on the subject of peace. According to some opinions, the basis and the terms had been settled by previous correspondence, and his lordship was simply to perform the office of signing a treaty already adjusted. Others have supposed that he has been sent to make the usual experiment; and others again, that, although much has been agreed upon, there are certain points upon which this government has been misunderstood by that of France, which require to be explained by an envoy, and are of course still open.

The terms of M. D'Oubril's treaty are yet unknown, and the treaty itself is in all respects as mysterious as at first.

We need not suggest to you the various conjectures, which it would be possible to form, as to the causes to which it is owing that our negotiation is not yet in train, and as to the probable effect of our mission. We have not been inattentive to what has passed here, and upon the continent; but we are disposed to give credit to the professions of just and amicable views which we have so often heard, and to the precise assurances which have so frequently been given to us, that Mr. Fox's illness alone has suspended our progress. In the actual state of things it would be vain, and probably injurious, and certainly harsh, to be very urgent for despatch. You may be assured, however, that we shall lose no opportunity of fulfilling the

just expectations of our government, with as little delay as possible. We have the honour to be, &c.

JAMES MONROE.

WILLIAM PINKNEY

JAMES MADISON, Esq. Secretary of State.

[Here follows No. 3, sent as confidential. It is a letter from Messrs. Monroe and Pinkney to the secretary of state, dated 15th August, 1806.]

No. 4.

Extract of a Letter from Messrs. Monroe and Pinkney, dated London, August 21, 1806, to the Secretary of State.

SIR,

We have the pleasure to transmit you a copy of a note from Mr. Fox of yesterday, which announces the appointment of lords Holland and Auckland to meet us on the subjects which are embraced by our joint commission. We flatter ourselves that we shall enter on this business in the course of a few days, and that we shall be able in a short time afterwards to speak with some confidence of the result. We add with pleasure that we see no reason, at this time, to think the prospect less favourable to a satisfactory one than we have heretofore presumed it to be. Aware of the considerations which urge despatch, we have been and shall continue to be attentive to that object, though it is far from being in our power to promise any thing explicit on that point.

DOWNING STREET, AUG. 20, 1806. MR. Secretary Fox presents his compliments to Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney, and he has the honour to inform them that his majesty has been graciously pleased, (Mr. Fox not yet being sufficiently recovered to attend to business of such magnitude,) to appoint lord Holland and lord Auckland to enter with Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney

upon the discussion of all matters now pending between his majesty's government and the government of the United States.

Mr. Fox feels it his duty, in expressing his regret at being unable, at the present moment, to undertake this important business himself, to observe, that his majesty, in this appointment of commissioners, has given a fresh proof of his most anxious and constant desire to bring to a speedy termination all discussions between the two countries, and to form such arrangements as may tend to render perpetual a system of mutual friendship and cordiality so conducive to the honour and interests of both.

Mr. Fox begs Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney will accept the assurances of his high consideration.

MY DEAR SIR,

From Sir Francis Vincent.

DOWNING STREET, AUGUST 1, 1806.

HAVING Communicated to lord Grenville, as I told you I would, your and Mr. Pinkney's anxiety to see one of his majesty's ministers, his lordship has desired me to inform you, that he will fix as early a time as he can to have the honour of receiving you. If you will have the goodness to communicate this to Mr. Pinkney, I trust he will dispense with my troubling him with a similar notification.

Believe me ever, dear sir, most truly and sincerely yours, F. VINCENT.

(Signed)

JAMES MONROE, Esq. &c. &c. &c.

To Lord Grenville.

PORTLAND PLACE, AUG. 2, 1806. MR. MONROE and Mr. Pinkney present their compliments to lord Grenville, and request the honour of an interview with his lordship, on the interesting subjects which form the object of their special mission, with which they are honoured by their government, to his Britannic majesty. They make this request in consequence of the much

lamented indisposition of Mr. Fox, which has hitherto, and still continues to put it out of his power to meet them on that important business.

From Lord Grenville.

DOWNING STREET, AUG. 2, 1806.

LORD GRENVILLE presents his compliments to Mr. Monroe and to Mr. Pinkney, and will be happy to have the honour of seeing them on Monday next, at one o'clock. (A similar note sent to Mr. Pinkney.)

From Lord Grenville.

DOWNING STREET, SUNDAY, AUG. 3, 1806.

LORD GRENVILLE presents his compliments to Mr. Monroe and to Mr. Pinkney. Lord Grenville, when he made the appointment for to-morrow at one o'clock, did not recollect an engagement he had in the city, at that hour, and therefore requests to have the honour of seeing Mr. Monroe and Mr. Pinkney on Tuesday, at one o'clock. (A similar note sent to Mr. Pinkney.)

No. 5.

SIR,

LONDON, SEPT. 11, 1806.

OUR first meeting with lord Holland and lord Auckland took place in Downing street on the 22d of August. After the usual exchange of powers, we stated, at their request, the objects of our mission, and the general nature of the stipulations by which we expected them to be provided for. They took minutes of what was said by us, for the purpose of making their report to the cabinet, and threw out some observations, but of a very loose and inconclusive character, upon several branches of the subject. They resisted, with great earnestness and decision, as an impracticable subject, the claim of indemnity, which we pressed as standing upon unquestionable grounds of justice. They appeared to consider the subject of impressment as extremely delicate and embarrassing, and that of our trade with the