PERTAINING TO NEGOTIATION OF TREATY OF 1818. 309 



It was agreed that the discussions should be carried on by confer- 

 ence and protocol, with the insertion in the protocol of such written 

 documents as either party might deem necessary, for the purpose of 

 recording their sentiments in detail. 



The British plenipotentiaries stated that they were ready to pro- 

 ceed at once to the signature of a treaty, renewing the commercial 

 convention of 1815 as it stands; or, that if the American plenipo- 

 tentiaries should prefer to delay the signature of such a treaty of 

 renewal till more progress should have been made in the discussion 

 of the other topics which it is the object of the two Governments to 

 arrange, no objection would be made to the adoption of that course. 

 But it was explicitly stated by the British plenipotentiaries, that, 

 with respect to all those other topics of discussion, whether purely 

 commercial, or partaking more of a political character, they were in- 

 structed not to consent to any partial or separate consideration of 

 them, nor to select any one in particular, as an appendage to a re- 

 newal of the existing commercial convention. 



The American plenipotentiaries acquiesced in the division of the 

 subject, represented by the British plenipotentiaries to be essential, 

 but stated it to be their desire not to sign the treaty of renewal for 

 the present. It was, however, agreed that the eventual signature of 

 that instrument should not be made contingent upon a settlement of 

 the other. points, and both parties declined bringing forward any 

 proposed modification of it. 



It was agreed to meet again on Saturday at two o'clock. 



Albert Gallatin, 

 Richard Rush, 

 Frederick John Robinson, 

 Henry Goulburn. 



No. 2. 



Protocol of the second conference held between the American and British 

 plenipotentiaries, at Whitehall, on the 29th of August, 1818. 



Present: Mr. Gallatin, Mr. Rush, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Goulburn. 



The plenipotentiaries agreed upon and signed the protocol of the 

 preceding conference. Some general conversation then ensued upon 

 some of ill*' diU'crcnt topics of discussion. 



The American plenipotentiaries stated that, whenever the British 

 plenipotentiaries were prepared to submit their project on the im- 



eressment question, they (the American plenipotentiaries) would 

 ring forward their proposition respecting the other maritime points; 

 but tnai they did ao\ intend t<> bring those topics before the confer- 

 ences :it all, unle 3 the impressment <>( seamen was to be discussed on 

 the pari of ( Ireal Britain. 



It w:i Lgreed that the Head conference should take place on Sep- 

 tember 4th. 



Albert Gallatin, 



I\I('II\UI> I v 1 SI I , 



Frederics John Koiwnson, 



] Ii \m ( iui i.i.i kn. 



