which was in the year 1811, he has no means of acquiring a knowledge other than from the archives of the department, or from the persons entrusted with their safe keeping.

That he has caused the files of the department to be carefully examined for a communication described by the resolution of the house of representatives, and that none such has been found of the date therein referred to, or of any other date from the former minister of France, or from his successor, or any trace or evidence of such a communication; that he has also enquired of the chief clerk of the department who has been in that office since the year 1807, concerning the same, and whose statement is annexed.

That no such communication was ever addressed to the secretary of state by the present minister of France. All which is respectfully submitted.

JAMES MONROE.

Department of State, January 18, 1814.

Mr. Graham's Statement.

I know not how I can more clearly state every thing that I know relative to a letter which was recently published in some of the public prints, from general Turreau to Robert Smith, Esq. and which I suppose to be the communication alluded to in the resolution of the house of representatives of the 12th instant, than by observing that when that letter as published was shewn to me by a gentleman of this office, I told him I could not say whether it was genuine; that some parts did not appear new to me, but that other parts of it did. We immediately looked at general Turreau's file, and no such letter was there. I then observed that if it was genuine, it must be the letter from general Turreau which had been withdrawn.

The fact of one of his letters, which I had translated for Mr. Smith, having been withdrawn, I distinctly remember, though I cannot speak with certainty either of its date or of its contents, more than four years having elapsed since I saw it; but I remember it was considered exceptionable, and that Mr. Smith directed me not to put it on the files, but to lay it aside. I can add too, that it was the only letter from general Turreau which to my knowledge was ever withdrawn.

This letter was withdrawn by a gentleman attached to the French legation, who called at the department of state to get it, and it was delivered to him either by Mr. Smith himself, or by me under his directions. When this was done, I cannot now recollect, nor have I any means of ascertaining, except by reference to a subsequent event which happened in

the month of November, 1809. I allude to the dismissal of Mr. Jackson. For I remember in a conversation I had with Mr. Smith respecting that occurrence at the time it took place, he observed that he supposed general Turreau would now be glad he had withdrawn his letter.

In what way the translation of this letter has got into the public prints, I know not, nor do I know when or by whom it was taken from this office.

JOHN GRAHAM,

Chief Clerk of the Department of State. Department of State, 18th January, 1814.

Message from the President of the United States, transmitting a Report of the Secretary of State, in obedience to a Resolution of the 13th instant, "requesting the President to lay before this House such Documents relative to the Russian Mediation as in his opinion it may not be improper to com» municate."

To the House of Representatives of the United States: I transmit to the house of representatives a report of the secretary of state complying with their resolution of the 13th instant.

January 18th, 1814.

JAMES MADISON.

REPORT.

The secretary of state, to whom was referred the resolution of the house of representatives of the 13th instant, requesting the president to lay before the house such documents relative to the Russian mediation, as in his opinion it may not be improper to communicate, has the honour to transmit to the president, for the information of the house, the following letters in relation to that subject, viz. :

A letter in French (with a translation) from M. Daschkoff, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of his majesty the emperor of Russia, to the secretary of state of the 8th March, 1813, with the answer of the secretary of state of the 11th of March.

An extract of a letter from the secretary of state to Mr. Adams, minister of the United States, at St. Petersburg, of the 1st July, 1812, and four letters and extracts from Mr. Adams to the secretary of state, bearing date respectively on the 30th September, 17th October, and 11th December, 1812, and on the 26th June, 1813.

All which is respectfully submitted.

JAMES MONROE. Department of State, January 18, 1814.

DOCUMENTS.

Mr. De Daschkoff, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias to the Secretary of State of the United States. (Translation.)

The undersigned envoy extraordinary and minister pleni potentiary of his majesty the emperor of all the Russias, has the honour to make known to the secretary of state of the United States of America, that he has just received orders from the emperor his master, to make the following overture to his excellency the president of the United States.

The peace of Russia with England seemed to present this immense advantage to the commerce of nearly all seafaring people, that it freed their relations from that constraint, from that continual vexation to which it had been subjected for many years without intermission. The emperor viewed with pleasure a result so conformable to all his wishes, and which appeared as not being at all doubtful. It became so, however, by the war between England and America.

The undersigned is directed to express to the president of the United States, the regret with which his imperial majesty foresees the great shackles which this new episode is about to oppose to the commercial prosperity of nations. The love of humanity and what he owes to his subjects, whose commerce has already sufficiently suffered, command him to do every thing in his power to remove the evils which this war is preparing even for those nations who will not take part in

it.

His majesty, who takes pleasure in doing justice to the wisdom of the government of the United States of America, is convinced that it has done all that it could do to prevent this rupture, but that treating of it directly would take away from the negociation all semblance of impartiality. In a direct discussion every thing would tend to excite the prejudices and the asperity of the parties. To obviate this inconvenience his majesty the emperor, gratified at being able to give a proof of his friendship alike for his majesty the king of Great Britain and the United States of America, wished to offer to them his mediation, and charged the undersigned to propose it to the president of the United States.

The undersigned having the honour to communicate to the secretary of state the sentiments and the wishes of his imperial majesty begs him to make them known to the president of the United States. The emperor would feel great satis

faction if a like disposition on the part of the government of the United States should have the effect of stopping the progress of this new war, and of extinguishing it in its origin. From the satisfactory assurances which the president of the United States has constantly given to the undersigned of the sentiments of regard and friendship on the part of the United States, and of his excellency for Russia, and particularly for the august person of his majesty, he cannot but flatter himself that he will receive an answer which shall correspond with the generous wishes of the emperor his

master.

The undersigned cannot refrain from expressing on this occasion, to the secretary of state, his individual wishes for whatever may have tendency to re-establish active relations between Russia and the United States, and to advance the prosperity of the republic.

He seizes with eagerness this occasion to renew to the secretary of state, the assurances of his highest consideration and respect.

(Signed)

ANDRE DE DASCHKOFF. Washington, 24th February (8th March), 1813.

(Copy)

Sir,

The Secretary of State to Mr. Daschkoff.

Department of State, March 11, 1813. I have had the honour to receive your note of the 8th instant, making known to the president of the United States, the disposition of his majesty the emperor of Russia, to promote peace, by his friendly mediation between the United States and Great Britain.

I am instructed by the president to assure you, that he sees in this overture, on the part of your sovereign, strong proofs of that humane and enlightened policy, which have characterized his reign. It was impossible that a war between the United States and Great Britain should not materially affect the commerce of Russia, and it was worthy the high character of a prince, distinguished by his attachment to the interests of his people, to interpose his good offices for the restoration of peace. The president sees, at the same time, in this overture, and in the circumstances attending it, a strong proof of the friendly interest which his imperial majesty takes in the welfare of the United States.

The United States, conscious that they were not the aggressors in this contest; that on the contrary, they had borne great wrongs for a series of years, before they appealed to

arms in defence of their rights, are willing and ready to lay them down as soon as Great Britain ceases to violate those rights.

The president is aware that many of the inconveniences resulting from a direct communication between the parties themselves may be avoided, by the mediation of a third power, especially one, entitled to, and possessing the entire confidence of both the belligerents. To the claim of Russia to that distinguished consideration, the president does not hesitate to express, on the part of the United States, his full acknowledgment. He recollects with much satisfaction, that during a period of great and general contention, the relations of friendship have always subsisted between the United States and Russia; and he finds in the personal qualities, and high character of the emperor Alexander, a sacred pledge for the justice and impartiality which may be expected from his interposition.

Influenced by these sentiments, the president instructs me to inform you, that he willingly accepts the mediation of your sovereign to promote peace between the United States and Great Britain. I am instructed also to state, that such arrangements will be made, without delay, as will afford to his imperial majesty the opportunity he has invited, to interpose his good offices for the accomplishment of so important an event. Of these arrangements I shall have the honour to advise you in an early communication.

I have the honour to be, &c. (Signed)

JAS. MONROE.

Extract of a Letter from the Secretary of State to John Quincy Adams, Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at St. Petersburg.

Sir,

Department of State, July 1, 1812. "On the 18th ultimo a declaration of war against Great Britain passed congress; of which, of the president's message, and report of the committee of foreign relations of the house of representatives leading to it, I have the honour to transmit to you copies."

"You are too well acquainted with the causes which produced this result to require any explanation of them. As it appeared that Great Britain would not revoke her orders in council, on the just grounds on which it was claimed, but enlarged the conditions on which she professed her willingness to revoke them, there remained no honourable course for the United States to pursue short of war. On full conside