■Xi - -,-,,. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^/ .^Jit 'w 1.0 I.I lis lit 128 1-25 ■ 1.4 '/ Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STRKT WEBSTER, N.Y. 143M (716) •72-4503 V k*^' :1>^ <^ ^^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CiHM/ICIViH Collection de microfiches. Canadian tnstituta for Historical IMicroroproductions / Institut Canadian da microraiiroductions historiquas Tachnieal and •ibUographic NotM/NotM twshniquM M biblloffraphiquM Th« InstituM hat att«fnpt«d to obtain tho bost original copy ovoilablo for fUming. Pooturoa of thia copy which may bo biMiograpMoaHy uniqua. which may altar any of tho imagaa in tha raproduction. or wMoh may aignlfleantly ehanga tha uauai matliod of filminf . ara ehackad balow. □ Colourod eovara/ Couvartuia da eoulaur I — I Covara damagad/ D Couvortura andommagia Covora raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvortura raatauria at/ou palliculAa pn Covor titia miaaing/ D D a D Lo titro do couvorturo manqua I — I Colourod mapa/ Cartaa gtographiquaa an eoulaur □ Colourod ink (i.o. otfior than Mua or black)/ Encra da eoulaur (i.a. autra qua Maua ou noirol [~n Colourod plataa and/or Hiuatrationa/ Planc h aa at/ou muatrationa an ooulour Bound with othor matarial/ RalM avac d'autraa doeumonta Tight binding may eauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La ra Uura —rr^ paut eauaar da I'ombro ou do la fHBtDfakm !• Inna da la maraa intAriauna Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appear within tha ta»t. Whunuvr poaaiblo. thoao have baan omittod from filming/ II ao pout quo eortainaa pagaa blanehaa aioutioa kMO d'uno roatauration app a rai a aant dana la taxta. maia, loraquo cola Atait poaaJbIa, caa p a gaa n'ont paa «ti fUm4aa. Additional eommonta:/ Commontairaa aupplAmantairaa: L'Inatitut a mierofilm* lo moillour axamplaira qu'il lui a itA poaaibia do ao procurer. Lea ditaila do cot exompiaira qui aotut pout-At^o uniquea du point do vuo bibliographiqua. qui pauvent modifier uno image roproduito, ou qui pouvont exiger une modifleation dana la mAthodo normale do f iimage aont imffquAa ci-deeaoua. D Colourod pagaa/ da couleur D rr] Pagaa damaged/ t*agaa endommag4aa Pagea raatorad and/oi Pagoe roataurAoa et/ou polliculAea Pagea diacoloured. atainad or foxei Pagea dicoiorAoa. tachistAaa ou piquAea Pagea detached/ Pagea dAtachAea r~n Pagea raatorad and/or laminated/ Pagaa diacoloured. atainad or foxed/ Pagea rn Pagea detached/ Th to Th po of fill Or bo tb ak o« fin aio or rj] Showthrough/ Tranaparance Quality of prin Qualiti inAgala do I'improaaion Includoa aupplementary materii Comprond du metAriel aupplimentaire rn Quality of print variea/ pn Includoa aupplementary materiel/ I — I Only edition available/ Th Til Ml dif em bei rig ra« ma Seule Mition diaponiblo wholly or partially obacurad by errata alipa. tiaauea. etc.. have been refilmed to enaure the beat poaaiblo image/ Lea pagea tota^ament ou partieilement obacurcioa par un fauiUet d'errata. une pelure. etc.. ont itA fiimAoa * nouveau da fapon A obtenir la maiHouro image poaaiblo. Thia item ia fHmod at the reduction ratio checked below/ Co document eat filmA au taux da rAduction indiquA ci-doaaoua 10X MX 1BX 22X 2fX aox 1 "^""H y 12X 10X 30H MX 2tX 32X The copy fNiiMd hsr* hM bMn rtproduewl thanks to th* gwMTCMlty of : Douglas Library Quoon's Univarsity L'axamplaira fHiii* f ut raproduit grioa i la g4n4roolt« da: Douglas Library Quaan's Univarsity quality laglMHty tha Tha Imagaa appaaring hara ara tba poaalbia conaMarlng tha condition of tha original eopy and In kaaping filming contract spaoiflcationa. Orlglnai ooplaa In prbitad papar covara ara fNmad baglnning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or Hluatratad impras- sion, or tha back cover whan approprlata. AH othar original copiaa ara fUmad baglnning on tha first paga with a printad or IHustratad impraa- slon. and anding on tha last paga with a printad or Hluatratad Impraaakin. Tha last racordad frama uti aach microflcha shaH contain tha symbol — ^^ (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol y (moaning "END"), whichavar applias. Laa Imagaa sulvantas ont it4 rsproduHas avac la plus grand soHi, compto tanu da la condition at da to nattati da raxamptaira filmA. at an conformM avac las conditions du contrat da fHmaga. Laa aaamptolra a orlginaux dont to couvartura an paplar aat ImprlmAa sont fHmis an commanftant par to pramiar plat at an tarmlnant soit par to da mto ra paga qui comporta una amprainta dimpraaslen ou dIHuatratlon, soit par to sacond plat. sakHi to caa. Tous tos autraa axamptoiras . orlginaux aont fHm4a an commanpant par to pramMia paga qui comporta una amprainta dimprassion ou d'lHustration at an tarmlnant par to damtora paga qui comporta una talto amprainta. Un das symbdaa suhrants apparaftra sur to damtora imaga da chaqua mteroflcha. ssion la caa: to symboto -»• signifto "A 8UIVRE", to symboto ▼ signifto "FIN". IMaps. ptotaa. charts, ate, may ba fiimai at diffarant raduction rattos. Thosa too iarfa to ba antiraly included in ona expoaura ara fHmad beginning in tha uppar iaft hand comor. toft to right and top to bottom, as many framaa as raquirad. Tha following dtograms Hlustrata tha method: Lao cartas, ptonches, tableaux, etc.. peuvem dtre fllmte i dee taux da rMuctton diffArants. Lorsque to document eat trop grand pour fttre reproduit en un soul citehA. il eet fllmA i pertir do I'angto sup4rtour gauche, do gauche k droite, et do haut en bee, en prenent to nombre dlmegee n4cessaire. Lee dtogremmes suivents Hlustrent to mithode. 1 2 3 1 5 6 mmw Nm CO, n '^'''^mk^. [6] MESSAGl 5WM rSOMTHS PEESIDBNT OF THE UNITED BTA1#i» tftANSMITTIVO COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PLBKlPOTENTIAme^ * THE VJ^TJXD BTATESi CSAROBOWITB NEGOTIATING PEACE WITH GREA' BHBWXWOTBX':'^ '■»,' cojvjuTiQjifs ojv macsjiLOjvs tbat QorzsjsrMEj^' FPT AN E^D TO THE WAB. «' " i i i iii Bcferr^ totfb counOttoe of Foreigii Bdatbiii}. 14 ■^ » » WASHINGTON A- AilD Ck WAT^ PRINTERB. iV-;- -Uii..^ :^m^mr'r'Pt't?-- The EDITH /zW LORNE PIERCE COLLECTION of CANADI ANA i^ueerCs University at Kingston j4#.. "n %. :# t> ,,' '■:.4l*>1? ^. J-iw-' >..<"* ■ft#fci:l^1 Jii. i-tV<**\'' »'■>■., ^J^i^Jl.f*^*^^ T^e"! .^Iii^ii:#''^' Mil] -:--^ li h'-"' ')», ■^^>^^';; %^>..:. MESSAGE. 'To ihe Senate and House cf Bepresentatwi^ 1^ the United Stategf I LAY before copgress commuiilciitioiis just received from the plenipotentiaries of the IJiiit<&4 States, charged with negotiating peace with €h(ibiit Britain ; shewing the conditions on which alone that government is willing to pnt an end to the war. The instructions to those plenipotentiaries disclos- ing the grounds on which they were authorized to negotiate and conclude a treaty of peace^ will be the subject of anothcir communication. JAME8 MADIBaK> xm- W^Uingtop, October 10, 18H* ■■>'-i0.Q t^p w ■< 4h 1,1 -i' .!■ ? , , t -Si. ■ ■J' 'jiM**l ;"?"* ■ «•*:,;:■ 4" . .:i/ // : # ? ?' ■^r' "■ m %t.tl iif] ■.^■.•■: f^: COPT of a letter from the Commissioncra extraordinary and plenipotenliary^ of the United States^ for treating of peace with Great Britain, to the Secretary of State, dated :;;: ' '.■••^^•^^: ^'^^ .:m\^--. s,,..,- ;ft SIR, , Ghent, 12th Au|;ust; ISii. "^E have tlie honor to iDform you that the British commis^ioiierSj^ lord Gambier, Henry Goul- boum, esq. and William Adams, esq. arrived in this city on Saturdfiy evening the sixth instant. The day after their arrival, Mr. Baker, their secretary, called upon lis to give us notice of the fact, and to propose a meeting, at a certain hour, on the ensuing day. The place haying been agi'eed upon, we accordingly met at one o'clock, on Monday the 8th instant. ^ We inclose herewith a copy of the full powers ex- hibited by the British commissionei*s at tnat confer-r ern^e; which was opened on their part by an expres-. sion of the sincere and earnest desire of their govern- ment, tbiit the negotiation might result in a solid peace, honorable to both parties. They, at the same timci declared, that no events which had occurred 9ince the first proposal for this negotiation, had alter- ed the pacific disposition of their government, or va- ried its views, as to the terms upon which it wi|6 will- mg to conclude the peace. 4 :,^:;.:m^^'- \Ve answered that we hea^rd these declarations with great satisfaction, and tliat our government had acceded to the proposal of negotiation, with the most sincere desire to put an end to the difierences which divided the two countries ; and to lay upon just and liberal grounds, the foundation of a peace, which, se- curing the rights and interests of both nations, should unite them by lasting boi^ds pf amity. , v^, I HtiA-i- ;«M' 'f.V f w .n *V4 ,, ft The British commissioners then stated the follow- ing subjects, as those upon which it ajppeared to them that the discussions w^ould be likely to turn^ and on which they were instructed. 1. The forcible seizure of manners on board of mercliant Vessels, and in connection with it, the claim of his Britannic majesty to the allegiance of all the native subjects uf Great Britain. We upderatood thein to intiiuaie, that the British gpvernment did not propose this point, as one which they were particularly desirous of discussing; bat that, as it had occupied so prominent a place in the disputes between the two countries, it necessarily at- tracted notice, and was considered as a subject which would comer under discussion, S. The Indian allies of Great Britain to be in- cluded in the pmsification, and a definite boundary to be settled for their territory. The British commissioners stated, that an arrange^ ment upon this point was a iine qua mm; that they were not authorized to conclude a treaty of peace, which did not embrace the Indians as allies of his Britannic majesty; and that the establirLnieiitof a de- finite boundary of the Indian temtory, vvts necessary to secure a permanent peace, not only with the Indi- ans, but also between the United States and Great Britain. 8. A. revision of the boundary line between the United States, and the adjacent British colonies. With respect to this point, they expressly dis- claimed "ny intention on the part of their government^ to acquire an increase of territory, and represented the proposed revision> as intended merely for the purpose of preventing uncertainty and dispute. After having stated these three point», as subjects of discussion, tluii British commissioners added, 'that> before they desired any answer fipom us, they fek it in. cumb^ni u|mmi them to declare, thai the British go- vernment did not deny the rijj^t e| the Amerieans to ;ii.isfe; .•S!.Vti-.i iilSl 6 m the fisherieH generally, or in the «peB mas; but that the privileges formerly granted by treaty to the Unit- ed Btates, of il§hing within the limits of the British jurisdiction, and of landing and drying fish on the shores of the British territories, would not be renew- ed without an equivalent The extent of what was considered by them as waters peculiarly Britisli, was not stated, from the manner in which they brouglit this subject into view, they seemed to wish us te understand, that they wera nut anxious that it should be discussed, and that they only intended to give us notice, that these privileges had ceased to exist, and would not be again granted with- out an equivalent, nor unless we thought proper to provide expressly in the treaty of peace for their re- newal. '''f*v'- '«i>'.',v-'^''Y'fe»u..-^ ii In the course of the evening of the same day, "we i^4- *1 proceeding abruptly to break oiF the negotiation. It was not impossible that, en the sudject of the Indiana, the British government had received erroneous im- pressions from the Indian traders in Canada, which oav representations might remove ; and it appeared, at all events, important to ascertain distinctly the precise in- tentions of Great Britain on both points. We tlierc- fore thought it advisable to mvite the British Gom«> miasionera to a general conversation on all the points; stating to them at the same time, oar want of instruc-*^ tions on two of them, and holding out no expectation of the probability of our agreeing to any article res- pecting these. At our meeting on the ensuing day, we informed the British commissioners that, upon the first and third points proposed by them, we were provided with in- structions ; and we presented as further subjects con- sidered by our government as suitable for discussion: 1. A definition of blockade, and as far as might be mutually agreed, of other neutral and belligeront rights ; 2. Claims of indemnity in certain cases of capture and seizure. «> We then stated that the two subjects^ 1st, of Indian pacification and boun^lary, Sdly, of Ffsberies, were not .einbraced by u-iv instructions. We observed, that as tliese points had not been, heretofore, the grounds of any controversy between the government of Great Britain and that of the United States, and had not been alluded to by lord Castlereagh, in his letter pro- posing the negotiation, it could not be expected thai, they should have been anticipated and made the sub- ject of instructions by our government : that it was naturally to be supposed that our instructions were confined to those subjects upon which diflerences be- tween the two countries were known to exist ; and that the proposition to define in a treaty between the Uni- ted States and Great Britain, the boundary of^the lit- diaa possessions within oht own terrijioriesy was new ^'.T I I I !( :i ii » [0] and without example. No Hucii provi§ioii had been inflerted in the treaty of peace in 1788, nov in any other treaty between the two countries. No such provision had, to our knowledge, ever been inserted in any trcjity made by Great Britain, or any otiier Enro- |»ean power, in relation to the same description of peo- ple, existing under like circumstances. We would 4a^. however, that it could not be doubted, that peace with the Indians would certainly follow a peace with Great Britain : that we had information that com- missioners had already been appointed to treat with them ; that a treaty to that effect mijiht, perhaps, have been already concluded ; and that the United States having no interest, nor any motive to continue a sepa- rate war axainst the Indians, there could never be a momeijit wnen our government would not be disposed to make peace with them. _ ;' We then expressed onr wish to receiViS from the British commissioners, a statement of the views and objects of Great Britain upon all the points, and our wdlingness to discuss them all, in onier that, even if no arrangement could be agreed on, upon the points not included in our instructions, the government of the United States might be possessed of the entire and precise intentions of tbi^t of G. Britain, respect- ing these points, and that the British gm'emment might be fully informed of the objections, on the part of the U. States, to any such arrangement. In answer to our remark, that these points had not been alluded to by lord Castlereagh in his letter pi*o. Sosing the negotiation, it was said, that it could not e expected, that in a letter merely intended to invite a negotiation, he should enumerate the topics of dis- cussion, or state the pretensions of his government ; since these would depend upon ulterior events, and might arise out of a subsequent state of things. in reply to our observation, that the proposed sti- pulation of an Indian boundary was without example in the practice of European nations, it was asserted, fi 4 I lad been in any ^o such lerted in sr Enro- ll of peo- c would at peace Ace with at com- eat with pS; have id States t a §epa- irer be a rom the )ws and and our , even if e points iment of le entire respect' emment ;he part had not ter pTO- uld not o invite of dis. nment ; its, and ed sti- xampU serted, [6] « that the Indiaia mufi in tome lort be coiisldetel ii an independent people, tinoe treaties were made witti then, both by G. Britain and Uy the U. BUtee ) «i^ which, we pointed out the obvions and impertaaft W ference between the treaties we might ttdw wHll Indiitns, living in onr territory, and such i tl^^ ii was proposed to be made, respecting them> with ii foreign power, who had solemnly acknowledged tki territory, on which they resided, to he part ^ llM United States. We were then asked by the British commistloiMli^ whether, in case they should enter farther upon the discussion of the several points which had been standi we could expect that it would terminate bjr some pro^ visional arrangement on the points on which we aad no instructions, particularly on that respeetiiig^ th^ Indians, which arrangement would be sunject t9 iho ratification of our eovemment ? We answered, that before the subjects were distimst* ly understood, and the objects in view more preciseljr disclosed, we could not decide, whether it would be possible to form any satisfactory article on the suhr- ject; nor pledge ourselves as to the exerci#6 of a dia^ cretion under our powers, even with roipect to a pwr- Tisional agreement. We added, that as we should deeply deplore a rupture of the negotiation on aaV point, it was our anxious desire to employ all piisni- ble means to avert an event so gerious in ita conse** quence$i ^ and that we had not been without hopes that a discussion might correct the effect of any erra^ neous information which the British government mi^t have received on the subject winch they had pn^Oi- ed as a preliminary basis. ^^ We took this opportunity to remark, that no nation observed a policy more liberal and humane towards the Indians than that pursued by the U. States ; thit our object had been, by all practicable means, to ia- truduce civilization amongst them ; that their posset sions w»re seenre^l to tfaem by well defined bound^- 4''«mmm mf' III [«] «•.. i^ "Si. lAm\ tbiit their persong^ knds^ and other properQ^ Dniie now more effectually protected against violence «irfi»i|dgfroni any ^ulurter^ than they had been under ■ay §ttmm gfotemment ; (hat even, odr citizens were M allowed to^rchase their lands ; that when they SkVenptlieIr title to any portion of their country to , f IJ4 litatDs^ it wa^ by voluntary treaty wHh our I^Mnment, who gave them a satisfactonr equivalent; iod that, through these means, the U. States had •ncceiided in preserving, since the treaty of Gren* jSQg^ in 179^9 iulunihtbmipted peace of 16 years iiHth all the Indim tribes — a period of tranquillity nim^h longer than they were known to have enjoyed l^retolbre. ■ ■ ' r^;v> •. ^ It wae( then expressly stated on our part, that the ptopodtion respecting the Indians, was not distinctly understood. We asked whether the paciflcation ana tibe settlement of a boundary for them were both made ^t^neam non,^ which was answered in the afBrma- tive. The question was then asked the British com- UisiQoners, whether the proposed Indian boundary Was Intended to preclude the United States from the lEight of purchasing by treaty from the Indians, with- out the consent of Great Britain, lands lying beyond that boundary ? and asurestrictioii upon the Indians ;4mn; selling, by amicable treaties, lands to the Unit- id StAtes, as had been hitherto practised ? To Uiis question, it was first answered by one «f ,lhe domndssioners, that the Indians would not be re- .idricted ftom selling their lands, but tha4 the United Btaj^ would be restricted from purchasing them ; Ip^ ffnteflectifin, another of the commissioners stated that it Was intended that the Indian territories should b^ a bwrrier between the British dominions and those of the United States ; that both Great Britain and the United Stetes shtauld be restricted front prcbasing^ Iheir lands; but that tiie Indians might sell them to a. tl#d party. " , .- ■ ■:• '^^fMP?i ,. ,- th made aiBnna- ish COJDD- oundary from the 18, with- ; beyond Indians lie Unit- ■ tf r one «f )t be re« ! United ; them; rs stated 9 should sd those and the rcbasing lem to a ^■%: m 3. The revision of tife benndary line betweem the ierritoriesot the United Btates, aiid ^oseitf QtotM|t Britun adjoiniug them in North America. ^^ 4$. The fisheries — respeetiiig which>. the Miiii §»veninent will not allow the people of ^le Uinie^ tates the privile^of landing and drying fish^wttfain the territorial jonsdiction of Great BritAin^ wtftlidift an equiVwlent. -..t The American commissioners weresiB^[«ested ^ say, whether their instructions from their |OTetii«NMl authorized them to tceat upon these several poidta ; and to state, on tlieir part, such other pdnts as ihiif mi^ be further instructed to prwnose for discussioil. The meeting ,w^ adjourned to Tuesday, the dtb of AuffUst, on whlch^day tilie commbsioners met agi&ii. < The American oeinmissfoneTs, a,t this me^oi^ stated, that upbn iba first and third poincs proposed by the British commissioners, they were provided with instructions from their government ; and that on the second and fourth of those points, there not Inur- ing existed, heretofore^ any differences between the two governments, they had not been anticipated tor the government of the U. Statics, and were theretbfo ittot provided for in their instructions. lUiat in rela- tion to an Indian j^oifiication, they knew that ^e fib* vwnmentof the u. States had appoinied comaiiw^ signers to treat of peace wiUi the Indians; and'thht It was not improbable (hat peace had been mado^ with ihem. # *i'v9"^'Vf^ >,' vii'i •♦ •'■''„ } . 4 • -..H'.''^ ■ .'i- >rv; c»y .^■w.;.«.'-«^y . I' i The Americftn commissioners presented, as farther points (subjects), considered by the government o^ the U. States, as suitable for discussion. 1. A definition of blockade, and, as far as may be* agreed, of other n^tral and belligerent riglvts. t. Certain claims of indemnity to individuals, for Captures and seizures preceding and snbse^ent to the war. 3. They further stated, that there were various other points to which their instructions extended, which might with propriety be objects of discussion^ either in the n^otiation of the peace, or in thut of a treaty of commerce, which, in the case of a propitious iermiiiation of the present conferences, they were likewise authorized to conclude. That for the pur- pose of facilitating the first and most essential objett of peace, they had discarded every subject which was not considered as peculiarlyconnected with that; and presented only those points which appeared to be immediately relevant to this negotiation. The American commissioners expressed their wish to receive ffom the British commissioners a statement of the views and objects of 6. Bi^tain, upon idfl the p<4ut^ and their willingness to discuss them all, in order that, if no arrangemont. could be ap^eed to, upon the points not in ^etr instructions, which would come within the scope of the powerl committed to their discretion,^ the government of the U. States might be put in possession of the entire and precise intentions of that of 6. Britain, with regard to such points; and that the British government might be folly infDrmed of the objections on the part of the U. States to any such arrangement. They, the American commissioners, were asked^ whether, if those of O. Britain should enter fhrthet npon the discussion, particularly Fespecting the In- miMk boundary, the American commissioners could expect that it would toi^inate by some provisional arrangement, which they could conclude, subject to the ratificiition of their government? i- M m Imi 'nment o( « may ht is. duals, for i(pitni to variom ixtetided, scussioQ. that of a ropitiom ey were the pur- al obfett Mch was bat; and id to be eir wisb tatemeiit 1 1^ the n a]], in *e«| to, i would itted to States preeiso to such ight be of the asked^ f^irtber be in- coold isionai ject to H* They ans^^red^ tbf t as piny anrfiQgement to iihicli they coutd iligree upon tbe subjigct^ milst be without speciic anthority from their government, H waifliot possible for them, pifeviouii to dlscu««|oi|, io defBi4/||^ whether an artieU M the mi^ect coiild be forilif)|^ which would be mutually satisfiiictory, and. to wh|^' they should think themaelves, under tb«)ir diiK^tipii- «Eyjpowers, ju8t|fiied in aoGeding. Th^JIriUsb cpiainissioners declined entering iipont' the discussion,, unless the American conrailtsioner* would say that they coBjsidered it within their dis- cretion to indi;e a provisional arrangeniient on |he subject^ conformable to the view of it (irescBibed by the British government, and proposed toadioum tiib'. conferences, for the purpose of coi^ulting ueir own governifiient on this state of things. The Britifih commisidon^rs were asko^j wbether it was understood, a^ an effect of the proposed boiinda- ly for the !|[ndians, that the United States would be^ precluded from the right of purchasing territory from t^^ Indians within that boundary, by amicable ffeaiy- with the Indian!^ themselves, withotit the consent of Great Britain? and whether it was understood to operate as a restriction upon the Indians, from selling, by such amicable treaties, lands to the United States, as has been hitherto practised. They answered, that it was understood, that the Indian territories should be a barrier between tbe British possessions and those of the United States $ that tbe United States and Great Britain should both be restricted from such purchased of lands; but that the Indians would not be restricted from selling thenl to any third party. .^ The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, IQth of August. ti" True CODV. iJ*lj»Tt' ■■3*» C. HUGHES, Jr. Secretary toji^g^^l^aion Extraordinary, »' _ .4 »-,*■ >. ^ r # m Tnftocol of C&nference, Jtugwt Sth, Idli^^ TlieBrkMh uid Atterican cotmalMkm^n hiiviiig viel, ^i«ir foil powen were r^apttMvtAy produced^ yhith were foaiid naiinhcifxty, and copies thcii^of WeM exebaai^ed. ^bn Bdtisk OomniisBiotiera stated the following •al]jeeta,a8thoseupoB whkli,itliippeifred tothem^ tbiS Hie iisettssioms between themmlVes^ i,M the American ^minisskiners, would be likely to torn. 1; The fi^velble seizure of mariners ^m on board ilMi^ant ships on the high seas,, ahd in connection WHhit, ^e right of the king of Chreat Britain to the ttHegianee Of alibis native subjects. ' S. That tlie peace be ejtti;(ided to the Indian allies of Ghreat Britain, and that the boundary of their terri- tory be definitively marked out, as a permanent barrier between the dominions of Great Britain and the Unit- ed Staites. An arrangement on this subject to be a ^0 qua noff of a treaty of peace. 8. A revision of the boundary line between the BritieAi and American territories, with the view to prevent fttture uncertainty and dispute. The British commissioners requested information^ whether the American commissioners were instructed to enter into negotiation oh the abbVe points? Btit before they desired any answer, they felt it right to communicate the intentions of their government, an to the North American fisheries, viz: That the Bri:- tish govemmtnt did not intend to grant to the United Btates, gratuitously, tl^e privileges formerly granted by treaty to them, of fishing within the limits of the British soverei^ty, and of using the shores of the British territories for purposes connected with the flfi^eries. ■<'-'S- 0^1« A TT^TTftT ' The meeting being adjourned to the 9th of August, the commisBioners metag^in on that day. in buying produced^ fes thcii^of ;* * ■ ' . , ' following thetn^ that American I tin board ^nection lin to the lian allies heirterri- int barrier the Uni^. :ttobe a ween the e view to Drmatidln. ostroctea its? Birt '' rigfit to im^nt,aji the Bri- le United ' granted its of the esof the ivith ^e ■!f;»pj *a The American cominissionen at this meetiiig^^ ^d, tbiit upon the first aitid thhrd poikitg^wj^"' the British commissioners, they we^ |iioVfded instractioi|8 from ttieir government; aind t)lM tie cotid and fbnrth of these points, were not pi#itr ^or in their instruptions* That in relatiim io ail dian pficification, tliey knew that the goveikmeilf^ t)ie United States had appointed ebmmlssimic^ il trelit of |)eace with the Indians; and that j; wifi.i^ improbable that peace had been made wit&^^mJ :';^ The American CQjpimissioiiers presentetl iMt Jl^w subjects, conside«e4 by the government ol the United States, as suitable for discussion; 1. A definitioii of blockade, and osf;^ 48 |niyr%^ agreed, olT other neutral and bel%erent ri^tii! S. Certain elaims to indemnity for eaptnret anil seizures preceding and subsequent to the war. 3. They further stated, ^that there were vliiioii* other points, to which tfaeir instructions extend!^, which might with propriety be objects <^d}sciiii)f|% eitlier in the negotiation of the peace, or in that of a treaty oJt commerce; which, in the ease of a prq^iti- ous termination of the present conferences, they were likewise authorized to conclude. That fbr thei|j|[|B}> pose of facilitating the first and most essential o%eet of peace, they had discarded every S9bi^ Wl^ Was not considered as pecuTUriy connect^ W^h jtiia^ and presented only those points which ap^aired t^ be immediately relevant to this negotia^^;*. The American commissioners ei^presiB^d their wU|i to receive fhim the British Commissif»ne% il ^ll^ ment of the views and objects of 0r$at Britain up^ all the points, and their willingness tqt ^scuaa uea ai'* They, the American commissioners, were asVe^, buuBc U4 n^icab xviiuiiu auuMiu cuusr lar- Augu^ ther upon this discussion, particularly respecting tlif Indian boundary, the American commissioners conla 3 i--# < /> -ih;, >"\ I -* :'^«,. 0^ tfqfi^ iM, it would terminate by lome provUiqnal iujif wliiph tley could e^ncIaUe, subject to lUoB of* their ^verameut? ^l0 aof veered, that a^ any arran^m^ut to which {^ e9^1d l^gree upon the soliject, n^ustbe without sp^ifc imihority from their ^yemment, it was not npif^t)1|^ nnr th^ previous to difcussiou* to decide Ipj^tliif^a^ allele W ^l^ subject could be formed w|]|i9^ l^QuI^ niutually satis&ctory, and to which they fit(({uld thiuk themselves^ under ttieir discretion^ ^^w;er8|jnstii|ed in acceding. The meeting was adjourned. -' True copy, (Signed) C. HUGHES, Jr. J %«,-#, Secretarif of Legation, tjICsfffrf. 4l^ntff, Sayardf Chy, Mussellf and Galla- Ghent, 19th August, 18U. ^ ** 8B% ' ' ' Mt. Biike^, ^cretary to the British mission, iM^ed upofi us to-day at one o'clock, and invited us to ^"cOi^rence to be held at three. This was agreed to, and the Britishcommissioners opened it by saying^ Ipiat they ^ad received their further instructions this M^bMii^ and had not lost a moment in requesting a nieefingfor ^he purpose of communicating the decision elf '^enr government; It is proper to notice that Ic^ Cistlere'aighhad arrived last night in tliis city, whence, ijt 19 said, he will depart to-morrow on his way to Bi^lelsiipdyiehna.' \^ ^'xhe Bntish commissioners stated that their gov- had lelt some surprise that we were not iu^ m iB visional bJQCt tO! o which without decide formed which cretiojtu Oallal i 9 lissioii^ A us to agreed laying, Ds this sting a scision itlo^ hence^ »^ay to rgov- stnicted respecting the Indians, as it ciiuld not hiire been expected that they would leave their alli«% filk tlieir comparatively weak situation, exposed to omrt^- sentment. Great Britain might justlv have ftnf^ipoied I that the American government would have fiiralthtii us with instructions authorizing us to agree toanoii* tive article on the subject ; hut the least she eonld vi«. mand was, that we should sign a provisional artlch^ admitting the principle, subject to the ratlficftiioiinif ^mr government $ so that, if it should be ratified thb tftia* ty should take effect ; and if not, that it shoiiM IM null and void : on our assent or refusal to ad'm^ such an article would depend the continuance or iiiBpeiit sion of the negotiation. As we had represented that the proposition made by them, on that subject, was not sufficiently explicit their government had directed them to ^sive ni eveiy necessary explanation, and to state distinctly the ba- sis which must be considered as an indispensable |^- liminary. It was a aine qua non that the Indians sbonM he included in the p and, as incident tiier^ that the boundaries of their territodeBvshonld be^|«F' manently established. Peace With the Indians wtoik subject so simple as to require no comment With i^ spect to the boundary which was to divide their U/ec^ iory from that of the United States, the object cf ilJe British government was, that the Indians sfaoiddi%K main as a permanent barrier between our Westeite aet- tlements and the ailjacent British provinces, to pint* vent them from being conterminous to cjach other : and that neither the United States nor Ortei Brihuh should ever hereafter have the right to^^urcbase or ae« quire any part of the territory thus recognized as be. longing to the Indians. With regard to the extelit «! the Indian territory, and the bdundacyline, the British government would propose the lines of the O^reenvifie treaty, as a propBr basis, s&l^ect however io ^^s&m>. miiiftnr to m gto We statedy that tlie Indian torritury, accordin^ these lines, would comprahcnd a graat number uf American citizens ; not less, perhaps, than a hundred thousand : and asked, what was the intention of the British government respecting them, and under whose government they would fall ? It was answerad that those settlements would be taken into consideration when the line became a subject of discussion ; but that such of the inhabitants as would ultimately be includ- ed within the Indian ^ territory, roust make their own arrangements, and provide for themselves. The British commissioners here said, that con- sidering the importance of the question we had to decide, (that of agreeing to a provisional article) their government had thought it right, that we should also be fully informed of its views with respect to the proposed revision of the boundary line between the dominions of Great Britain and the United States. 1. Experience had proved that the joint possession of the lakes, and a right, common to both nations, to keep up a naval force on them, necessarily produced collisions, and rendered peace insecure. As O. Britain oonld not be supposed to expect to make conquests in that quarter, and as that province was essential ly weak. er than the United States, and exposed to invasion, it was necessary for its security that Great Britain •hould require that the United States should here, after keep no armed naval force on the western lakes, from lake Ontario to lake Superior, both inclusive ; that they should not erect any fortified or military post or establishment on the shores of those lakes ; and that they shoiild not maintain those which were alrea^ dy existing. This must, they said, be considered as a moderate demand, since Great Britain, if she had not disclaimed the intention of any increase of territo- ry, might, with propriety, have asked a cession of the adjaeent American shores. The commercial navi- gation and intercourse would be left on the same foot- ing as heretofore. It was expressly stated (in an. to ' pe^ to -% ■:l -*- -.c_.k,i..-; - ■■ H. • m ] cordin*; to tiumber uf a hundred ion of the ider whose fGVGd that sideration t ; but that be includ- their own that con- e had to icle) their ould also ct to the ween the i States, ossession itions; to iroduced i^. Britain Buests in yweak- asion, it Britain d bere- 'u lakes, elusive ; iry post !s; and e alreaw ered as ihe had lerrito- 1 of the 1 navi- le foot, (in AH. er to a question we asked) that Great Britain wai retain the right of having an armed naval force on hose lakes, and of lioldiug military posts and e«- ablishments on their shores. 2. The boundary line west of lake Superior, and ||]ience to the Mississippi, to be revised, and the I treaty.right of Great Britain to the navigation of th^ ;'!Mississippi to be continued. When asked whether they idid not mean the line fi'om the Lake of the Woods ^:^o the Mississippi? the British commissioners re- ' ipeated, that they meant the line from lake Superior ■i to that river. I 3. A direct communication from Halifax and the ^< province of New Brunswick toQ^uebec, to be secured 4 to Great Britain. In answer to our question, in what i^ manner this was to be effected? we were told that it must be done by a cession to Great Britain of that portion of the district of Maine (in the state of Mas- sachusetts) which intervenes between New Bruns- wick and (Quebec, And prevents that direct communi- »5| cation. Reverting to the proposed provisional article, re- ^ specting the Indian pacification and boundary, the >i British commissioners concluded by stating to us, f that if tlie conferences should be suspended by our .. refusal to agree to such an article, without having lif obtained further instructions from our government, *- Great Britain would not consider hei-self bound to I abide by the terms which she now oflPered, but would I be at Ubevty to vaiy and regulate her demands, ac- 1 cording to subsequent events, and in such manner as I the state of the war, at the time of renewing the ne- gotiations, might warrant I We asked whether the statement made, respecting the proposed revision of the boundary line between the United States and the dominions of Great Bri- tain, embraced all the objects she meant to bring for- ward for discussion, and what were, particularly, her views withjesDecttQLjsJflft?!^ island, and such other ii'i Islands in tlie hay of Passamaquoddy as had ticen in our possession till tho present ^var. but had been lately captured? We were answertd, that those islands belonging of ri^ht to Great Britain (as much fOy one of t' e commissioners said, as Northampton- shire) they would certainly be kept by her, and were not even supposed to be an ol>ject of discussion. From the forcible manner in which the demand, that the United States should keep no naval arir> < ' I force on the lakes, nor any military post on thcrr shores, had been brought forward, we wee 'm r'ced to inquire whether «this condition was also lueb a as a fine qua non f To this the British commissioners de- ielined giving a positive answer, l^hey said that they had been sufficiently explicit, that they had giv. en ua one stits 9101 non, and when we had disposed of that, it would be time enough to give us an an- swer as to another. We then stated, that, considering the natui^ and importance of vhe communication made this day, we wished the British commissioners to reduce their pn>- posals to writine, before we gave them an answer. This they agreed to, and promised to send us an i>IBcial note without delay. ' We need hardly say, that the demands of Great Britain will receive from us an unanimous and decid- ed negittive. We do not deem it necessary to detain the John Adams for the purpose of transmitting to yon the official notes which m^; pn^^ on the subject, and close the .egotiation. Ai4 ' '^ive fel *' our duty immediately to apprize , nij, this hast^, but correct sketch of our last conference, that there is not, at present, any hope of peace. We have the honor to be, ftc. (Sisned) JOHN QUINCY ADAMI^ J. A. BAYARD, H. CLAY, JONATHAN RUSSELL, ALBERT OALLATIN. ^ m i had ficen \ik •ut hud been \f thftt those aiD (ai much rorthampton- ler, and were ussion. the demand^ naval arir I lOst or> thw r 'e.-e *M .'ced uieb ti a« a issioners de- By said that hex had giv. lad disposed ^e us an an. natui^ and his day, we :e their pn>- an answer. send us an ds of Great 1 and decid- ry to detain isnitting to the subject, feV *' our hast^, but iiere is not, e, &c. ADAMS> ATIN. mP. B. AogasttOtl i814. We have this wmnei^l reived the note of the British eommiiMoners, whkh _ been promised to us, b( aring date yestt^rday, a >y of wnich we have the honor to enclose. JV*ot« if the British Commisiionen, The undersigned; plenipotentiiiries of his Britannic Inajesty, do themselves the honor of acquainting the ilenipotentiaries of the United States, that they have ommunicated to their court the result of the confer- ince which they had the honor of holding wl^ them pon the 9th inst. in which they stated that they were nprovided with any specific instructions asto compre- ending the Indian nations in a treatv of peace to be ade with Great Britian, and as to denning a bound a- to the Indian territory. Xhe undersigned are instructed to acouaint the ilenipotentiaries of the United Btates, that bis maje^- y 's government having> at the outset of the negotiation^ k^ith a view to a speedy restoration of peace, reduced 8 far as possible the nuiuber of points to be discussed^ d having professed themselves willing to foreeo on me important topics any stipulation to the advan- ge of Great Britain, cannot but feel some surpriso at the government of the United States should not ave furnished their plenipotentidries with instruc- ons upon those points which could haidly fail to me under discussion. Untler the inability of the American plenipo- entiarie« to conclude any article upon the subject If Indian pacification and Indian boundary,^hich iball bind the government of the United States, ^s majesty's governnieui conceive that they can- lot give a better proof of their sincere desire for '■& ^ Kv. ■:'" m .?■ ^- It is equally necessary that a definite boundary should be assigned to the Indians, and that the con- tracting parties should guarantee the integrity of their territory by a mutual stipulation not to acquire by purchase, or otherwise, any territory within the speci- fied limits. The British government are willing to take as the basis of an article on this subject, those stipulations of the treaty of Greenville, subject to modifications, which relate to a boundary line. * As the undersigned are desirous of stating every poin^n connection with the subject which may reasombly influence the decision of the American plenipotentiaries in the exercise of their discretion, they avail themselves of this opportunity to repeat, ■?f- •■m -«vv ng their wil- upon those lipotentiaries :cede to the article ought he American conclusion of genera.1 dis- rate fully and rreat Britain ntipuance of he [«3 m of that in con- s a sine qua f the British and security ion of those luent altera- ven rise, icessary that g the war in i termination I. te boundary hat the con- gi-ity of their I acquire by lin the speci- •e willing to ibject, those t subject to line. tating every which may B American r discretion, „^ lUi^^lM^tt already t^iAM, thai0rei^t BriUOii de- res the reTii(iiw vf^ the frentict between hmt vmih Himink>n9, imd thofie i>f the linked Stutes, i, vMk mf view to an a^cquiflition of territoiy a« dl|»MMiliQ^fpoa0of se^wri^herpossoiiioiii^ Tto ]RriMi gov«i«i»eilt eoii«i4prH» UlMss, from ili:«»;Q«Mi«j[» to TalrQ Superior, both inclusive, tob0 ^ M^tlnNlitaiy iSifOBtaer of tb0 British possessions ^ iHoii^ Amftiion. As (fbe iveiik#T pomer m thfi piTovt^ Ai^fi^n contjypi^nt, the leasl capable of act^ ftin^^S^sKvely/iiiQi thie moat exposed to sodden |n- ^yiisionji Oirei^t ]Rrita«i oonsidevs the military occopa- pon of t^eso Mes ns^ necessary to tbe«ecQfit;2f of W idominiwme. A boundary lioe< equally dividioffi tlles^ 9^ators, i^ifh $, vigb^ iift ea^b nation to arm, both upon he lakes and upon their shores, is calculated tt» ;$%. te a ooniefjt fi)r nAVal Ascendancy in pace as w)e)l as » war. TMe power which occupies these lufces iihould, as a necessiii^y result, have the military o^'CUo f,jpation of both shores. In furtherance of this olvject, tihe British government is prepared to propose a boun- '^ dary. But as this might be misconstrued as an in- tenftoa to extend their possessions to the southward of the lakes (which is by no means the object they *iave in view) they are disposed to leave the territo- ial limits undisturlied, and as incident to then, the )|free commercial navigation of the lakes, provided that f the American government will stipulate not to main- tain, or construct, any fortifications upon, or within, fa limited distance of the shores, or maintain, or con- |struct, any armed vessel upon the lakes in question, or in the rivers which empty themselves into the 5ame.- ; -f-^-- /••.■■• ■ If this can be adjusted, there will then remain for discussion the arrangement of Jie nortlmirestern boundary between lake Superior and the Mississippi, the free navigation of that river, and such a variation ■%■■ :f. . !^ [«] nioKtion between Q,ttebec and Bnlifia. TUe ondenigned tratt^ that tke ML iteiltoiieiit wUfeh they kAve made of the viefwi and oMcietA of tke British govevlinient in feqniiin^f^the padMtkiniif the Indian nations, and a permanent linut to their teiiito- riesy will emd^e the Attericnn plenipoleiilia^loeon- clnde a provisional article npon the basis lihbte sta- ied. Should they feel it necessary to refer to tlie go- vemmeni of the United States for liirtheFinstmdfons^ the undersigned feel it inennibent npon ^m to ac- quaint the American pkninotentiaries, that their eo- vemment cannot be preclude, by any thing that has passed, fbom varying tlie terms at present proposed, m i^di li manner as the state of m war, atdie time of li^eihniine the conferences, may, in their judgment, render adnseable. lUe undersigned avail themselves of this occasion to renew to the plenipotentiaries of the United States the assurance of their high consideration^ (Signed) GAMMER, ^ r HEMRY GOULBURN. WILLIAM ADAMS. Ghent, August Wh, J814. ^ T^^^ ^ ^^"^"f ^l,\**^' ^^.^ : -Ins IjcM^iDftlle ieiitifMiorthe Mr teitito- tanestoeoB- sdbbirtista- [ertothego- ^m ik> ac- lattbeireo- ingtlifttkis it proposed^ 9 at this time rjiidgmeiity lis oecadon lited States V .Ji w . ■' fi^^l 'I- "t'' iiss?;