University of Virginia Library

Tuesday, Feby 16.

Conversation.

Mr. Rose, in consequence of an offer to see him to-day,
called about 2 o'clock. It appeared that he did not consider
himself authorized to accede to either proposal for getting
over the difficulty respecting the disavowal required from the

U. States of the conduct of our agents in harbouring, encouraging,
and not discharging deserters. He was reminded
that this disavowal, as stated by him, was as much a departure
from the specific case of the Chesapeake as the mutual disavowals
proposed by me, being general as to deserters, and
not restricted to those entering on board the Chesapeake.
He seemed sensible of this, and manifested a disposition to
make it rather more limited; but proposed nothing; nor did he
revive the subject of disavowing Barron's answer; seeming to
be prepared for abandoning further informal conversations,
and leaving me to answer in form his note of the 26th ult.
This was promised as soon as my health, and some urgent
business, [meaning the despatch of the vessel waiting at New
York to carry letters, &c., to France and G. Britain,] would
permit; it being remarked to him that the hopes that an
answer would have been rendered unnecessary had prevented
me from particularly revolving even a suitable answer.