5880. NEUTRALITY, Rights.—[further continued] .
The instructions given to our ministers [to England] were framed in
the sincerest spirit of amity and moderation.
They accordingly proceeded, in conformity
therewith, to propose arrangements which might
embrace and settle all the points in difference
between us, which might bring us to a mutual
understanding on our neutral and national
rights, and provide for a commercial intercourse
on conditions of some equality. After long and
fruitless endeavors to effect the purposes of
their mission, and to obtain arrangements within
the limits of their instructions, they concluded
to sign such as could be obtained, and
to send them for consideration, candidly declaring
to the other negotiators, at the same
time, that they were acting against their instructions,
and that their government, therefore,
could not be pledged for ratification. Some of
the articles proposed might have been admitted
on a principle of compromise, but others were
too highly disadvantageous, and no sufficient
provision was made against the principal source
of the irritations and collisions which were constantly
endangering the peace of the two nations.
The question, therefore, whether a
treaty should be accepted in that form could
have admitted but of one decision, even had no
declarations of the other party impaired our
confidence in it. Still anxious not to close the
door against friendly adjustment, new modifications
were framed, and further concessions
authorized than could before have been supposed
necessary; and our ministers were instructed
to resume their negotiations on these
grounds. On this new reference to amicable
discussion, we were reposing in confidence,
when on the 22nd day of June last, by a formal
order from the British admiral, the frigate
Chesapeake, leaving her port for distant service,
was attacked by one of those vessels
which had been lying in our harbors under the
indulgences of hospitality, was disabled from
proceeding, had several of her crew killed, and
four taken away.—
Seventh Annual Message. Washington ed. viii, 83.
Ford ed., ix, 150.
(Oct. 27, 1807)
See Chesapeake.
