University of Virginia Library

Thursday, Feby 4.

Conversation of J. M. with Mr. Rose—explained himself
on the subject of Tuesday's conversation, by signifying that
his suggestion was a hasty thought, and that it was most
consonant to his situation to limit the enquiry to the case of
deserting subjects natural born. He was told this was already
provided for by the rules prescribed to our Naval Commanders.
Occasion was taken to express the desire of the
U. States to remove all causes of danger to the harmony, &c.,
as well as that exemplified in affair of Chesapeake, which was
evidently of a nature not likely to recur after disavowal, &c.
He did not open himself as to any thing beyond the limit to
which he reduced the enquiry, acquiescing generally in the
desirableness of a general adjustment, &c. The objections
to the delay of seeking further instructions, &c., was dwelt
on by both, and ended in a frank and direct suggestion by

J. M. to let the satisfaction, acceptance, and recall of proclamation,
be executed on same day, and so as not to shew on
the face of the proceeding a priority, leaving this to be assumed
respectively, as might be agreeable. He, Mr. Rose, would
take into consideration with best wishes, but was not sure
that his instructions could bend to it. He held out the idea
of exhibiting without editing the revoking proclamation, as
an expedient to save him. He was told nothing would be
admitted that would expose the Executive to appearance of
having yielded to his preliminary; and it was remarked that
Mr. Canning, if he had not supposed the Proclamation to be
a retaliation, and that the aggression had been discontinued,
which could not be during the detention of the men, would
have approved this course at least. Mr. Rose glanced at
idea of disclosing his terms, &c., through Mr. Erskine and
Mr. Robt Smith. He went away under an arrangement for
another interview to-morrow, 12 o'clock.