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introduced into congress for the establishment, go- them. The president had persuaded himself that vernment and protection of the territory of Mobile, the unequivocal proofs which the United States and the fortress of that name has been summoned have given in all their transactions with foreign without effect. powers, and particularly with Spain, of an upright His royal highness the prince regent in the name and liberal policy, would have shielded them from and on the behalf of his majesty, is still willing to such an unmerited suspicion. He is satisfied that hope that the American government has not been nothing is wanting but a correct knowledge of facts ged to this step by ambitious motives or by a de completely to dissipate it. site of foreign conquest, and territorial aggrandize- I might bring to your view a long catalogue of ment. It would be satisfactory however to be ena- injuries which the United States have received from bled to ascertain that no consideration connected Spain since the conclusion of their revolutionary with the present state of Spain has induced America war, any one of which would most probably have to despoil that monarchy of a valuable foreign colony. been considered cause of war, and resented as such The government of the United States contends by other powers. I will mention two of these only; that the right to the possession of a certain part of the spoliations that were committed on their comWest Florida will not be less open to discussion in merce to a great amount in the last war, and the the occupation of America than under the govern- suppression of their deposit at New-Orleans just ment of Spain. before the commencement of the present war, in But the government of the United States, under violation of a solemn treaty; for neither of which this pretext, cannot expect to avoid the reproach, injuries has any reparation or atonement been made. which must attend the ungenerous and unprovoked For injuries like those of the first class, it is known seizure of a foreign colony, while the parent state to you that Great Britain and France made indemniis engaged in a noble contest for independence, ty. The United States, however, do not rely on against a most unjustifiable and violent invasion of these injuries for a justification of their conduct in the rights both of the monarch and people of Spain. this transaction, although their claims to reparation While I wait, therefore, for an explanation from for them are by no means relinquished, and it is to you, sir, as to the motives which led to this unjust be presumed, will not always be neglected. aggression by the United States on the territories When I inform you that the province of West of his majesty's ally, I must consider it as my duty Florida to the Perdido was a part of Louisiana, while to lose no time in fulfilling the orders of his royal the whole province formerly belonged to France, highness the prince regent by which I am com-that although it was afterwards separated from the manded in the event of its appearing on my arrival other part, yet that both parts were again reunited in this city that the United States still persevere by in the hands of Spain, and by her reconveyed to menaces and active demonstration to claim the mi- France in which state the entire province of Louisi litary occupation of West Florida, notwithstanding ana was ceded to the United States in 1803, that in the remonstrances of his majesty's charge d'affairs accepting the cession and paying for the territory and the manifest injustice of the act, to present to ceded, the United States understood and believed you the solemn protest of his royal highness in the that they paid for the country as far as the Perdido, name and on behalf of his majesty against an at- as part of Louisiana; and that on a conviction of tempt so contrary to every principle of justice, their rights they included in their laws provisions good faith, and national honor, and so injurious adapted to the cession in that extent-it cannot fail to the alliance subsisting between his majesty and to be a cause of surprise to the prince regent, that the Spanish nation. they did not proceed to take possession of the ter

I have the honor to be, with the highest considera-ritory in question as soon as the treaty was ratified. tion, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

AUG. J. FOSTER.

To the hon. James Monroe, &c. &c. &c.

MR. MONROE TO MR. FOSTER.

Department of State, July 8, 1811.

There was nothing in the circumstances of Spain at that time, that could have forbid en the measure. In denying the right of the United States to this territory, her government invited negociation on that and every other point in contestation between the parties. The United States accepted the inviSIR-I have had the honor to receive the note tation, in the hope that it would secure an adjustwhich you have presented, by the order of his royal ment and reparation for every injury which had highness the prince regent, to protest, in behalf of been received, and lead to the restoration of perfect the regency of Spain, against the possession lately harmony between the two countries, but in that taken by the United States of certain parts of West hope they were disappointed. Florida. Since the year 1805, the period of the last negoAlthough the president cannot admit the right of ciation with Spain, the province of West Florida Great Britain to interfere in any question relating has remained in a situation altogether incompatible to that province, he is willing to explain, in a friend-with the welfare of these states. The government Iv manner, the considerations which induced the of Spain has scarcely been felt there; in conse United States to take the step against which you quence of which the affairs of that province had have been ordered to protest. fallen into disorder. Of that circumstance, howe

It is to be inferred from your view of the subject, ver, the United States took no advantage. It was that the British government has been taught to be not until the last year, when the inhabitants, per lieve that the United States seized a moment of na-ceiving that all authority over them had ceased, rose tional embarrassment to wrest from Spain a province in a body with intention to take the country in their to which they had no right, and that they were own hands, that the American government interpoprompted to it by their interest alone, and a know- [sed. It was impossible for the United States to ledge that Spain could not defend it. Nothing, behold with indifference a movement in which they however, is more remote from the fact, than the were so deeply interested. The president would presumption on which your government appears to have incurred the censure of the nation, if he suf have acted. Examples of so unworthy a conduct fered that province to be wrested from the United are unfortunately too frequent in the history of States, under a pretext of wresting it from Spain. nations, but the United States have not followed In taking possession of it in their name, and under

their authority, except in the part which was occu-,tion to infuse a spirit of rebellion into the subjects pied by the Spanish troops, who have not been dis-of the king of Spain in those quarters, are such as turbed, he defended the rights and secured the to create the liveliest inquietude, and to call for the peace of the nation, and even consulted the honor most early interference on the part of the govern of Spain herself. By this event the United States ment of the United States. have acquired no new title to West Florida. They The government of the United States are well wanted none. In adjusting hereafter all the other aware of the deep interest which his royal highness points which remain to be adjusted with Spain, and the prince regent takes in the security of Florida, which it is proposed to make the subject of amica- for any attempt to occupy the eastern part of which ble negociation as soon as the government of Spain by the United States not even the slightest pretext shall be settled, her claim to this territory may also could be alledged, such as were brought forward in be brought into view, and receive all the attention the endeavor to justify the aggression on West which is due to it. Florida. I conceive it therefore to be my duty, sir, in

Aware that this transaction might be misconceiv

ed and misrepresented, the President deemed it a consideration of the alliance subsisting between proper subject of instruction to the ministers of the Spain and Great Britain, and the interests of his United States at foreign courts to place it in a true majesty's subjects in the West India islands, so light before them. Such an instruction was for- deeply involved in the security of East Florida, as warded to Mr. Pinkney, their late Minister Pleni well as in pursuance of the orders of my governpotentiary at London, who would have executed ment in case of any attempt against that country, it, had not the termination of his mission prevented to lose no time in calling upon you for an explana. it. The president cannot doubt that the frank and tion of the alarming steps which governor Matcandid explanation which I have now given, by his thews is stated to be taking for subverting the Spaorder, of the considerations which induced the nish authority in that country, requesting to be inUnited States, to take possession of this country, forme by you upon what authority he can be actwill be perfectly satisfactory to his royal highness ing and what measures have been taken to put a the Prince Regent. stop to his proceedings. I have the honor to be, &c. AUG. J. FOSTER. To the hon. James Monroe, &c. &c. &c.

With great respect and consideration, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant, (Signed) JAS. MONROE.

Augustus J. Foster, Esq. &c. &c. &c.

(Signed)

MR. FOSTER TO MR. MONROE.

Philadelphia, Sept. 5, 1811.

MR. MONROE TO MR. FOSTER,

November 2, 1811.

SIR-I have had the honor to receive your letter of September 5th, and to submit it to the view of

SIR-The Chevalier d'Onis, who has been ap-the president. pointed minister from his Catholic majesty to the The principles which have governed the United United States, has written to inform me that he States in their measures relative to West Florida, understands by letters from the governor of East have already been explained to you. With equal Florida, under date of the 14th ult. that governor frankness I shall now communicate the part they Matthews, of the state of Georgia, was at that have acted with respect to East Florida. time at Newtown, St. Mary's, on the frontiers of In the letter which I had the honor to address to Florida, for the purpose of treating with the inha-you on the 8th of July, I stated the injuries which bitants of that province for its being delivered up to the United States had received from Spain, since the United States' government, that he was with their revolutionary war, and particularly by spoliathis view using every method of seduction to effect tions on their commerce in the last war, to a great his purpose, offering to each white inhabitant who amount, and of the suppression of their right of would side with him fifty acres of land and the gua deposit at New Orleans, just before the commencerantee of his religion and property; stipulating ment of the present war, for neither of which had also that the American government would pay the reparation been made. A claim to indemnity for debts of the Spanish government, whether due in these injuries, is altogether unconnected with the pensions or otherwise, and that he would cause the question relating to West Florida, which was acofficers and soldiers of the garrisons to be conveyed quired by cession from France in 1803. to such place as should be indicated, provided they The government of Spain has never denied the did not rather choose to enter into the service of right of the United States to a just indemnity for the United States, spoliations on their commerce. In 1802, it expliM. d'Onis has done me the honor to communi citly admitted this right by entering into a convencate to me a note which he purposes transmitting tion, the object of which was to adjust the amount to you, sir, in consequence of this detached and of the claim, with a view to indemnity. The submost extraordinary intelligence, and considering sequent injury by the suppression of the deposit at the intimate alliance subsisting between Spain and New Orleans produced an important change in the Great Britain, as well as the circumstances under relations between the parties, which has never been which he is placed in this country, he has urgently accommodated. The United States saw in that requested that I would accompany his representa measure eminent cause of war, and that war did tion with a letter on my part in support of it. not immediately follow, cannot be considered in any

After the solemn asseverations which you gave other light than as a proof of their moderation and me in the month of July, that no intentions hos-pacific policy. The executive could not believe tile to the Spanish interests in Florida existed on that the government of Spain would refuse to the the part of your government, I am wholly unable United States the justice due to these accumulated to suppose that governor Matthews can have had or injuries, when the subject should be brought ders from the President for the conduct which he is solemnly before it, by a special mission. stated to be pursuing; but the measures he is stat known that an envoy extraordinary was sent to Maed to be taking in corresponding with traitors, and deid in 1805, on this subject, and that the mission in endeavoring by bribery and every art of sedur did not accomplish the object intended by it.

It is

It is proper to observe, that in the negotiation, act and instructed to communicate the purport of with Spain in 1805, the injuries complained of by it, to both governments, and to explain at the same the United States of the first class were again sub-time, in the most friendly manner, the motives stantially admitted to a certain extent, as was that which led to it. The president could not doubt also occassioned by the suppression of the deposit that such an explanation would give all the satisfacat New Orleans, although the Spanish government, [tion that was intended by it. By a late letter from by disclaiming the act, and imputing it to the inten- the American charge d'affaires at London, 1 observe dant, sought to avoid the responsibility due from that this explanation was made to your government it; that to make indemnity to the United States in the month of last. That it was not soon

for injuries of every kind, a cession of the whole er made was owing to the departure of the minister territory claimed by Spain, eastward of the Missis-plenipotentiary of the United States before the insippi was made the subject of negotiation, and that struction was received. the amount of the sum demanded for it was the sole I am persuaded, sir, that you will see, in this cause that a treaty was not then formed, and the territory added.

view of the subject, very strong proof of the just
and amicable disposition of the United States to-
wards Spain, of which I treated, in the conference,
to which you have alluded. The same disposition
still exists; but it must be understood that it cannot
be indulged longer than may comport with the safe-
ty, as well as the rights and honor of the nation.
I have the honor to be, &c. &c.
JAMES MONROE.
Augustus J. Foster, Esq. &c. &c. &c.
CORRESPONDENCE

The United States have considered the govern ment of Spain indebted to them a greater sum for the injuries above stated, than the province of East Florida can by any fair standard between the par ties be estimated at. They have looked to this province for their indemnity, and with the greater reason, because the government of Spain itself has countenanced it. That they have suffered their just claims so long unsatisfied, is a new and strong proof of their moderation, as it is of their vespect for the disordered condition of that power. There BETWEEN MR. MONROE AND MR. FOSTER ON THE

SUBJECT OF THE AFFAIR OF THE LITTLE BELT.

Baltimore, July 26, 1811. SIR-I have the honor to enclose the copy of an

is, however, a period beyond which those claims ought not to be neglected. It would be highly improper for the United States, in their respect for Spain, to forget what they owe to their own cha-official letter addressed to rear-admiral Sawyer, by racter, and to the rights of their injured citizens. captain Bingham, commanding his majesty's sloop Under these circumstances it would be equally the Little Belt, which contains an account of the unjust and dishonorable in the United States to late engagement between that ship and the Amerisuffer East Florida to pass into the possession of any can frigate the President. other power. Unjust, because they would thereby In thus communicating to you, without orders Jose the only indemnity within their reach, for inju from his majesty's government, this document, ries which ought long since to have been redressed. which in the most essential fact differs so materially Dishonorable, because in permitting another pow. from that of commodore Rodgers, I trust that this er to wrest from them that indemnity, their inacti government will receive it as a proof of the sincere vity and acquiescence could only be imputed to un-desire which exists with me, to open the way to an worthy motives. Situated as East Florida is, cut amicable arrangement of the question which may off from the other possessions of Spain, and sur- arise out of this unfortunate affair, when it shall be rounded in a great measure by the territory of the known to his majesty's government. United States; and having also an important bearing on their commerce, no other power could think of taking possession of it, with other than hostile views to them. Nor could any other power take possession of it without endangering their prosperity

and best interests.

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, sir, your most obedient humble servant, J. P. MORIER.

The hon. James Monroe, &c. &e. &c.
[Here follows the letter from captain Bingham to
admiral Sawyer—see page 34.]

MR. MONROE, SECRETARY OF STATE, TO MR. MO-
RIER, CHARGE D'AFFAIRS TO HIS BRITANNIC
MAJESTY.

The United States have not been ignorant or inattentive to what has been agitated in Europe, at different periods, since the commencement of the present war, in regard to the Spanish provinces in this hemisphere; nor have they been unmindful of Department of State, June 28, 1811. the consequences into which the disorder of Spain SIR-I had the honor to receive yesterday your might lead in regard to the province in question, letter of the 26th inst. communicating a statement without due care to prevent it. They have been from captain Bingham to admiral Sawyer, of the persuaded that remissness on their part might in-circumstances attending the late unfortunate envite the danger, if it had not already done it, which counter between the United States' frigate the Presi it is so much their interest and desire to prevent.-dent and his Britannic majesty's sloop the Little Belt. Deeply impressed with these considerations, and It is to be regretted that the statement made by anxious, while they acquitted themselves to the captain Bingham should have varied in any cirjust claims of their constituents, to preserve friend-cumstance, from that made by the commander of ship with other powers. the subject was brought the American frigate. I flatter myself, with the before the congress at its last session, when an act disposition of the president, which I am authorized was passed authorising the executive to accept pos- to express, to make it the subject of mutual and session of East Florida from the local authorities friendly explanations, its disagreeable tendency or to take it against the attempt of a foreign power will be obviated. I am induced to express this to occupy it, holding it in either case subject to fu- expectation, with the more confidence, from the. ture and friendly negociation. This act, therefore, conciliatory manner in which you have made this evinces the just and amicable views by which the communication. I have the honor to be, &c. United States have been governed, towards Spain, (Signed) JAS. MONROE. in the measure authorised by it. Our ministers at Mr. Morier, charge d'affaires of London and Paris were immediately apprised of the his Britannic majesty.

MR FOSTER TO MR. MONROE.

of the outrage, and offer to his majesty every reparation that can appear due.

It is with great pleasure, sir, that I avail myself of this opportunity to acknowledge the promptness with which you came forward with the assurances alluded to in the first part ofthis letter, and the readiness which you shewed to receive any communications from me in regard to the unhappy occurrence which forms the subject of the remainder. I have the honor to be, &c.

Hon. James Monroe, &c.

AUG. J. FOSTER.

MR. MONROE TO MR. FOSTER.

Department of State, July 16, 1811. SIR, I have had the honor to receive your note respecting the late rencontre between the American frigate the President, and his Britannic majesty's sloop of war the Little Belt.

Washington, July 3, 1811. SIR,-The assurances which you did me the honor to give me yesterday verbally, that no instructions whatever had been given to commodore Rodg ers which could under any construction be meant to authorize his attempting to recover by force any person claimed as an impressed American citizen from on board any of his majesty's ships of war, were amply sufficient to convey to my mind every satisfastion upon that subject: the reports, however, current in the United States, and connected with commodore Rodgers' conduct and proceedings, as wellas the inferences which will be drawn from the expressions which he used to the captain of his majesty's sloop Little Belt, being of a tendency to create doubts in Great Britain as to the nature of the authority under which he acted, I willingly ac cept your offer of making me the same statement in a more formal manner, in order that I may trans- It is very satisfactory to find that you received the mit it to my government to prevent all possible mis- communication which I had the honor to make takes on so important a point. you, in our first interview, on the subject of your The question arising out of the rencounter be- inquiry, relative to that unfortunate occurrence, in tween the United States frigate President and his the amicable spirit in which it was intended. Almajesty's sloop Little Belt, will then remain limited though the excitement which had been produced by to the act itself. You are already, sir, in possession previous and recent aggressions, particularly by of the British commanders' statement of the cir- the impressment of American citizens from Americumstances which attended it; his account, and can vessels even on the coast of the United States, that of the American commodore's differ very ma- was great, yet, no order had been given by the goterially with respect to some of the most important vernment for the recovery, by force, of any citizens features of the transaction, but in this they agree, so impressed, from any British ship of war. that the chace which brought on the action com-orders given to the commanders of frigates, and menced on the part of commodore Rodgers; for it other armed vessels of the United States, were for cannot be maintained that the advance made by the protection of their coasts and of their commerce, captain Bingham for the purpose of ascertaining if within the legitimate limits.

I have the honor to be, &c.

The

JAMES MONROE.

MR. FOSTER TO MR. MONROE.

the sail described by him was his majesty's ship I need not repeat to you, sir, the sincere regret. Guerrier, which it appears he had orders to join, was of this government that such an encounter took for the purpose of chasing, even if that could be place and more especially that it should have prourged as a plea by the American commander. As duced the unfortunate consequences which attendsoon as he found his signals unanswered, he bore ed it. away, until to his infinite surprise he found himself the object of the strange vessel's eager pursuit and hostile attitudes. What could be commodore Rod-Augustus J. Foster, Esq. &c. &c. gers' intention is not apparent. That he could not discover at the distance of seventy or one hundred yards that the ship before him was a flush deck Washington, July 24, 1811. sloop, though it was but a little after eight o'clock SIR, I have had the honor to receive your letter on the 16th of May; that he could not make out dated on the 16th inst. in answer to mine of the 3d, her colors at half past six o'clock; that his guns in which I expressed a desire to have stated, in a were double shotted; and that with the security he more formal manner, your denial to me, of orders possessed from the great force and superior sailing having been given to commodore Rodgers which of the ship under his command, and the circum- could under any construction, authorise that comstance of belonging to a neutral nation, he did not mander to attack any of his majesty's ships of war, rather hold off during the night if he wished to in search of any person claimed as an American speak the sloop, than by running under her stern seaman, and in which I also demanded that an exin a menacing attitude incur the risk of provoking amination should be instituted into that officer's a misunderstanding, must appear unaccountable to conduct, with a view to suitable reparation being the comprehension of every unprejudiced person, afforded to his majesty, for what appears a wanton and will I am sure, sir, seem to you a sufficient and unprovoked attack made by the frigate under reason, if there were no other, to warrant my de- his command upon his majesty's sloop of war, the manding that an examination be instituted into his Little Belt.

conduct with a view to suitable satisfaction being The denial I asked for, you have given me, and 1 afforded to his majesty for the loss of so many of beg to assure you, sir, that though I troubled you his subjects so wantonly slaughtered, and for the with the demand, because the extensiveness of the insult offered to his flag. But should captain rumor which had attributed such orders to the Ame Bingham's charges be brought home to commodore rican government, had made it my duty so to do; Rodgers, for his having refused to state the name of yet I never entertained an idea for one moment that the nation he belonged to, though asked to do so the government of the United Stats could have is on their nearing each other in the dark, and of sued such orders, because they must have been having fired a broad-side into the sloop without considered as manifestations of direct intentions of provocation, which might at once have sunk so hostility, which would have been incompatible with small a vessel, I am convinced I need only appeal the relations of ami y subsisting between America to the justice of the American government, for the and Great Britain.

government to see in its proper light the magnitude On such a point, sir, a simple denial was all I

AUG. J. FOSTER.

MR. FOSTER TO MR. MONROE.

asked, and what I expected to receive. It was, I have the honor to be, with the greatest consitherefore with pain that I found you had connected deration and respect, sir, your most obedient humit with allusions to other topics calculated to pro- ble servant, duce irritation, on which, whatever complaints you may have to make to me, I shall be ever ready to The hon. James Monroe, secretary of state. receive and forward them for redress to the commander in chief of his majesty's naval forces at Halifax, or to his majesty's government; but the Philadelphia, Sept. 4, 1811. mentioning of which in your note in answer to mine SIR-I have now by an express messenger from on a distinct subject, of the most serious import-England received the commands of his royal highance, you will pardon me if I must consider as mat-ness the prince regent, acting in the name and on ter of regret, especially as you wished me to receive the behalf of his majesty, relative to the late violent the communication you made me as given in an aggression committed by the United States frigate, amicable spirit. the President, on his majesty's ship Little Belt,

Moreover from the tenor of the part of your let- and I have the honor of communicating to you the ter in which you have connected the question of im- enclosed documents which have been transmitted pressment with that of an attack on a British ship to me by my government to be laid before that of of war, an inference is forced upon me, which you the United States, comprehending a copy of a letsurely never could have meant me to draw, but ter from lord James Townshend, commanding offiwhich, nevertheless, the passage conveys, namely, cer at Halifax dated May 30, 1811, enclosing a statethat, although the government of the United States ment of the action by the officers of the Little Belt had not given orders for the recovery by force of any -the report of the commissioner of his majesty's American citizen claimed from a British national navy board at Halifax, in respect to the damage ship, they still maintain they might have been jus-done the Little Belt; a copy of rear admiral tified in so doing. The right of searching a ship Sawyer's letter, enclosing his instructions to capof war has been so positively disavowed on the part tain Bingham as well as a list of killed and woundof his majesty's government, and so disclaimed by ed on board the sloop of war-and finally a copy of that of America, that I could not have expected the correspondence on the subject which took place any doubts would ever again have been thrown between the marquis Wellesley and Mr. Smith the on the matter, and yet the language of your letter, American charge d'affaires in London; of that of until it is explained, will certainly authorise such captain Bingham's official letter you are already in doubts, as far as relates to the American govern- possession.

ment.

the instructions of admiral Sawyer which furnishes the strongest evidence of the pacific and friendly intentions of his majesty's government towards this country. The very pointed manner in which the commander in chief on the Halifax station had enjoined captain Bingham to avoid giving offence in* officers statement, even if there were not such to the government or subjects of the United States,

In communicating to you, sir, these documents, I have no answer at all from you, sir, to my de I am particularly directed to call your attention to mand for an inquiry being instituted into the conduct of captain Rodgers. This omission has occasioned to me the more surprise, because in ad dition to there appearing to be no cause why the government of America should decline to listen to so just a demand on my part, there seemed to be every reason why they should even for their own satisfaction have desired to clear up the circumstances of his most extraordinary proceeding. Istrong evidence as appears from the deposition of will indeed frankly own to you that I did think on the different officers on board his majesty's ship as reaching this city to have found that officer's conto the action having been commenced by captain duct already, by the spontaneous act of the govern Rodgers. ment of the United States, undergoing an examinaHis majesty's government were entitled to expect, tion, instead of hearing that he had been sent im-as I have had already the honor to observe to you, mediately to sea again, which seemed to denote an str, in my former letter that the American governapprobation of his behaviour; and I thought 1ment would have manifested a promp disposition could the more rely on this being the course the to obviate, by an early disavowal and by just reparapresident would have pursued, from a consideration tion, the necessary tendency of such an event to of that which his majesty's government had taken disturb the friendship subsisting between the two in the case of the Chesapeake when every repara-from the example afforded by his majesty's governstates, and this expectation was the more natural tion practicable at the instant the intelligence reach ed London of the unfortunate event, was made to ment in the case of the Chesapeake. you, sir, promptly and unasked for.

Such however not having been the case, I am commanded by his royal highness to lose no time I feel the more regret, sir, at the course taken in communicating to you the papers enclosed,which by your government in this affair, because I have explain in the fullest manner the circumstances of been necessarily obliged in consequence to suspend the transaction and the very great extent of the outcarrying into execution that part of my instructions rage committed, by which so many valuable lives by which was directed immediately on my arrival were sacrificed, and in demanding the immediate here to offer such further reparation for the attack disavowal on the part of the United States of the on the Chesapeake frigate as would, I am con- act of aggression committed against his majesty's vinced, have proved satisfactory. I had the honor ship; as also in requiring a just reparation of the to state to you, in our first interview, that I had injury received. such instructions, although I omitted to mention it in my note, because, as you may remember, I expressed to you at the time, it seemed to me the American government might feel more free to act as the justice of the case required, if the two subjects were kept unconnected; and in this opinion thought you appeared to concur.

I have the honor to be, &c.

AUG. J. FOSTER. To the hon. James Monroe, &c.

* There appears to be an error in the printing of this paragraph in the Intelligencer, from which the documents are copied.

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