106 APPENDIX TO BRITISH CASE. 



considered by them as the chief obstacle to the adoption of a system 

 more friendly to Great Britain, and in urging the extension of juris- 

 diction they evidently consider the effect on the public mind in 

 America more than the intrinsic value of the acquisition 

 We have the honour to be &c &c &c 



VASSALL HOLLAND 

 AUCKLAND 



Lord Viscount HOWICK. 

 &c &c &c 



No. 13. 1807, January 3: Extract from Letter from Messrs. Monroe 

 and Pinkney (at London) to Mr. Madison. 



The twelfth article establishes the maritime jurisdiction of the 

 United States to the distance of five marine miles from their coast, in 

 favour of their own vessels and the unarmed vessels of all other 

 Powers who may acknowledge the same limit. This Government 

 contended that three marine miles was the greatest extent to which 

 the pretension could be carried by the law of nations, and resisted, at 

 the instance of the Admiralty and the law officers of the Crown, in 

 Doctors' Commons, the concession, which was supposed to be made 

 by this arrangement, with great earnestness. The Ministry seemed 

 to view our claim in the light of an innovation of dangerous tend- 

 ency, whose admission, especially at the present time, might be 

 deemed an act unworthy of the Government. The outrages lately 

 committed on our coast, which made some provision of the kind neces- 

 sary as a useful lesson to the commanders of their squadrons, and a 

 reparation for the insults offered to our Government, increased the 

 difficulty of obtaining any accommodation whatever. The British 

 commissioners did not fail to represent that which is contained in 

 this article, as a strong proof of a conciliating disposition in their 

 Government towards the Government and people of the United 

 States. The limit established was not so extensive as that which we 

 had contended for, and expected to have obtained; we persuade our- 

 selves, however, that the great object which was contemplated by any 

 arrangement of the subject, will result from that which has been 

 made. The article in the treaty, in connection with the causes which 

 produced it, forms an interesting occurrence in the history of our 

 country, which cannot fail to produce the most salutary consequences. 

 It is fair to presume, that the sentiment of respect which Great 

 Britain has shown by this measure for the United States, will be felt 

 and observed in future by her squadrons in their conduct on our 

 coast, and in our bays and harbours. It is equally fair to presume, 

 that the example of consideration which it affords in their favour, by 

 a nation so vastly preponderant at sea, will be followed by other 

 Powers. 



