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Sign up freeJenks's Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
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US Minister Mr. King protests to British Lord Grenville about unlawful captures of American ships by British vessels in the West Indies, warning of strained relations; Grenville assures no intent to disrupt amity and promises investigation and prevention measures.
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Important Communication.
Messrs. RUSSEL AND CUTLER,
Having had access to know the particulars of the DISPATCHES received from our Minister at London which probably will not be communicated to the public, by the President soon, from polite and respectful reasons, I embrace the opportunity to give you a sketch of the information I have learnt; for the authenticity of which, I can pledge myself, as the source from which I derived it, is most respectable.
"Mr. King transmitted to Lord Grenville a Note in which he acquainted his Majesty's Ministers, that he had it in command from the President of the United States, to declare that he had viewed with serious concern, the frequent captures of American property on the high seas by his Britannic Majesty's cruizers and armed vessels, which have been confirmed particularly in the West Indies by condemnations entirely unwarrantable and unjust—contrary to the existing Treaty, and to the common usage of all civilized nations, after describing the principle on which his Majesty's Justices have acted in the West Indies - which he collected from documents furnished him and in his possession, he remonstrated in the most severe manner against such violent and unjust proceedings, declaring that should the government of Great Britain continue to sanction such unwarrantable depredations on the American Commerce, his government can't no longer suppose that that amicable and good understanding which has so happily subsisted between the two countries, was the wish of his British Government to preserve—in short, he could not but view those circumstances which have taken place, as a declaration of hostilities against the American Flag—the honor of which he was called upon to maintain. He expressed a sincere hope that the British Government would do away by a frank explanation, the unpleasant sentiments and ideas, such disagreeable circumstances had naturally occasioned - he hoped to receive in such, professions of amity, with assurances that a stop should be put to such aggravations, the justice of which his Majesty's Ministry must evidently discriminate, in such event the United States would find no impediment towards executing with fidelity her engagements with the Court of St. James.
Lord Grenville, in a note transmitted to Mr. King, acquainted him, he had lost no time in laying before his Majesty, the note he did him the honor on the 2d February to address to him, and had it in command to return him an explicit declaration, that nothing has been more remote from his Majesty's most earnest wish, than to interrupt the good understanding engaged between the two countries—he intimated that the proceedings in the West Indies complained of, had been entirely without authority, and indeed contrary to the careful policy ordered to be preserved in his Majesty's West India colonies. He requested Mr. King to assure his government that a rigid inquiry will be instituted after the aggravations complained of, and that arrangements will be made to prevent such like circumstances occurring in future."
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Location
London, West Indies, High Seas
Event Date
2d February
Story Details
Mr. King, under orders from the US President, sends a strong protest note to Lord Grenville regarding unjust British captures and condemnations of American ships in the West Indies, viewing them as near-hostilities and calling for assurances of amity; Grenville responds promptly, denying intent to harm relations, attributing actions to unauthorized proceedings, and promising a full inquiry and preventive measures.