wished to conduct the business with all the delicacy that was possible, and, therefore, I wished rather to inquire of his Lordship, what were the intentions of his Majesty's Ministers, and whether they had already expedited orders, for the evacuation of the posts, &c. His Lordship said, I must give him my inquiries in writing, that he might have a ground for making those inquiries himself, as it was an affair in another Department. I agreed accordingly, to make an office of it. I shall, at first, confine myself to decent inquiries concerning the orders given, or to be given, and if I receive positive assurances that explicit orders are gone to the Governor, and Commander-in-chief in Canada, to evacuate all the posts and territories, I shall content myself to wait; but if I do not obtain such explicit assurances, I shall think it my duty to present a memorial, with a decent, but firm requisition. I shall transmit to you, Sir, every step of my progress; but I find it very tedious, and fear you will find it more so, to transmit particular circumstances in detail; when one looks over again a letter in which he has attempted it, he finds a multitude of things omitted, or but half represented. With great esteem, &c. JOHN ADAMS. P. S. I forgot a circumstance of some consequence. His Lordship said he had seen in the gazettes, some proceedings at Boston, which he was very sorry to see; I answered, that I had seen them in the same gazettes, as I supposed, and had no more authentic account of them; that I had no authority to say any thing, officially, about them, but, as an individual, I might say that the observations I just had the honor to make to his Lordship concerning the state of the commerce between the two countries, would be sufficient to explain to his Lordship the motives to those proceedings, and to convince his Lordship of the probability of such sentiments and proceedings becoming general throughout the United States, and alienating the commerce of that country from this, either by increasing manufactures in America, or opening new channels of commerce with other countries, which might easily be done, unless some arrangements were made which might facilitate remittances. It was so obviously the true policy of this country to facilitate remittances from America, and to encourage every thing we could send, as the Americans think, that when they find remittances discouraged, impeded, and even prohibited, it was natural to expect they would be alarmed, and begin to look out for other resources; that my fellow citizens were very confident they had the power in their own hands to do themselves justice, as soon as they should find it denied them here, but I hoped the difficulties would all be removed here. The whole conference was conducted with perfect good humor, and, on the part of his Lordship, with perfect politeness. FROM JOHN JAY TO JOHN ADAMS. Office for Foreign Affairs, Dear Sir, It gives me pleasure to inform you that your letters of 2d, 6th, and 17th June last, have been received and were this day laid before Congress, who, I am persuaded, will read them with as much satisfaction as I have done. You have been in a situation that required much circumspection. I think you have acquitted yourself in a manner that does you honor. The vessel that is to carry this sails in the morning, so that at present, I can only add my best wishes, and Report of Secretary Jay, on his letter of instruction to the American Minister at London. The Secretary of the United States for the Department of Foreign Affairs, to whom was referred his letter of the 19th ult., to his Excellency the President of Congress, reports thereupon, That, in his opinion, it would be advisable to permit your Secretary to write a letter of the following tenor, in cyphers and by a private hand, to the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, at the Court of London, viz: Sir, It is more than probable that this letter will find you in London. The manner of your reception at that Court and its temper, views and disposition respecting American objects are matters concerning which particular information. might be no less useful than it is interesting. Your letters will, I am persuaded, remove all suspense on those points. While men or States are influenced by their passions and their interest alternately, without having reduced their pursuit of either to system, it is impossible to predict which of those motives will preponderate on certain occasions and render certain combinations of circumstances. Hence it is uncertain how far and in what instances, the national ill temper of Britain towards this country may lead that kingdom to gratify it, at the expense of a more conciliating and advantageous policy. It is well known that these countries, prior to the late war, carried on a valuable trade with Honduras and Campeachy, and employed above one hundred vessels in exchanging, at the English settlements, beef, pork, and other kinds of provision for logwood, mahogany, sarsaparilla, &c. It being the policy of Spain to keep other nations at a distance from their American dominions, she beholds these settlements with pain and jealousy. The uneasiness which subsists at present between those two nations on that subject, seems to offer us an opportunity of negotiating with the English for a participation in their right to cut logwood, or at least to trade with them as formerly. They may perhaps think it expedient to strengthen their footing in those parts by interesting us in the advantages resulting from their continuing to maintain it. It would not be difficult for you to sound the Minis ter so effectually, and yet circumspectly on this head, as to enable you to discern his disposition and sentiments. on the one hand, and yet avoid committing either Congress or yourself, on the other, as the experiment, whether successful or not, can cost little, as in the one event, it may produce good, and the other no inconveniences can follow, I think it would be advisable to make it. Various considerations of which I am sure you are apprised, render it necessary to manage this matter with caution and secrecy as well on account of those with whom you may have to negotiate, as of those who may eventually be affected or think themselves so by the issue. The English and their Minister do not like us, and you know dislike and disgust, whether well or ill founded, always oppose and frequently exclude both confidence and candor; in such cases, therefore, constant provision and much circumspection are requisite. Your knowledge of Spain and the political relation in which she stands to us and to others, make it unnecessary to observe that the measure in question would, if known, meet with strong, if not open opposition from that, and probably from other quarters. I shall write another official letter to you by this conveyance and am, with great respect and esteem, &c. All which is submitted to the wisdom of Congress. JOHN JAY. |