PEIOE TO THE TREATY OF 1818. 



PERTAINING TO THE UNRATIFIED TREATY OF 180G. 



Messrs. Monroe and Pinkney to Mr. Madison. 



LONDON, November 11^ 1806. 

 SIR: 

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We shall meet the British commissioners to-morrow to proceed in 

 the negotiation, which we are persuaded it will not require any con- 

 siderable length of time to conclude. All the other topics have been 

 heretofore brought into view and discussed, but without any intention 

 in that stage, on either side, to push a definitive settlement of them. 

 So much, however, has been said on each by the British commission- 

 ers, as to enable us, as we presume, to form a tolerably correct esti- 

 mate of what may be obtained on several, especially those of the great- 

 est importance. In respect to the trade with enemies' colonies, they 

 have repeatedly told us, that on condition we would land the cargoes 

 in the United States, store them for a month, and change the ship, 

 they would agree that the trade might be free afterwards in the pro- 

 ductions of those colonies to other countries, including the parent 

 country of the colony. We have refused to comply with the condi- 

 tion in respect to the storing of the goods for a month, and changing 

 the ship. Some arrangement more advantageous to us than their 

 proposition will, we have no doubt, be obtained. The question of 

 blockade, and others connected with it, may, we think, be satisfac- 

 torily arranged. They will agree also to acknowledge our jurisdiction 

 to the extent of a league from our coast; we have claimed that 

 acknowledgement to the extent of three leagues. The trade with 

 India they will put on the footing it held under the treaty of 1794. 

 That with the West Indies must, we fear, rest on the ground of the 

 most favored nation only. Something, we think, may also be done in 

 favor of an intercourse with the British provinces to the north of us. 

 But our claim to an indemnity has been much discouraged, though 

 we have never ceased to press it with great zeal. We shall continue 

 to use our best endeavors to place all these great concerns on the most 

 just and advantageous ground in our power, and shall hasten to com- 

 municate to you the result, with the greatest possible despatch, as 

 soon as the business is concluded. 



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We have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient 

 servants, 



JAS. MONROE, 



WM. PlNKNET. 

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