The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
Tuesday, Feby 9, 1808. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
Tuesday, Feby 9, 1808.
Mr. Rose read from his paper, in substance, that with a view
to remove impressions made by recent events on the mind of
H. B. M., the U. States should disavow the conduct of their
Agents in encouraging, harbouring, and not discharging
natural-born deserters—a case different from not surrendering,
which was not claimed.
He was reminded of the difficulty as to natural-born subjects
naturalized by the U. States; that if impressions were to
be removed on one side, so on the other, where they were
much greater, from the course of indignities offered by British
Ships in our harbours and on our coasts; that the proposal was
not reciprocal in itself—a thing essential to the honor of the
U. States, [here he remarked that this had not escaped him,
reading a reservation to the U. States of their right to claim
from G. Britain a like disavowal; to which the reply was, that
there was no reciprocity between an actual disavowal and a
right to ask a disavowal;] and, finally, that it could not enter
into the Chesapeake business, unless other things as much
connected with it were also to be admitted.
Being myself much indisposed, the conversation was soon
ended, with an understanding that I would take the orders of
the President, and see him as soon as convenient.
| The writings of James Madison, | |