POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL 65 



course Act, Mr. Erskine, the British minis- 

 ter at Washington, made representations to 

 the government that the British ministry 

 were prepared to withdraw their Orders in 

 Council of Jan. 7 and Nov. 1, so far as they 

 affected the United States, provided the 

 President would release England from the 

 application of the Non-intercourse Act, as 

 he was authorized to do in the bill. 



In this offer Mr. Erskine exceeded his 

 instructions, or, rather, suppressed the con- 

 ditions on which he was authorized to 

 make such an arrangement. Mr. Madison, 

 pleased to begin his administration in so 

 satisfactory a manner, promptly consented, 

 and on April 19, 1809, issued a proclamation 

 announcing that trade might be resumed 

 with England on June 10, the date fixed 

 for the withdrawal of the orders in council. 

 Mr. Erskine's action was promptly disa- 

 vowed by Mr. Canning for the British 

 government, and Aug. 11, the Non-inter- 

 course Bill was again put in force against 

 England. 



