Truce with this Portion of the French Territories, a trade to it should likewise have been opened to every Nation not at war with Great Britain.

This however is a subject of inferior consideration to the Principal object of this Letter.

With perfect Consideration & Respect &c. &c.

H. DUNDAS TO R. KING.

Copy.

RUFUS KING.

DEAR SIR :

DOWNING STREET, 9th Dec., 1798.

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of yesterday respecting the agreement entered into between Genl. Maitland & Genl. Toussaint L'Ouverture at St. Domingo.

This agreement as you are already informed was not entered into in consequence of any Instructions or under any authority Genl. Maitland received from this Country. The powers and directions given him from hence being exclusively confined to objects connected with our military situation in that Island; but the General upon a full consideration of that situation, having found it necessary to withdraw His Majesty's troops, and a suspension of hostilities having been proposed and entered into with the Enemy during the evacuation, the agreement in question appears principally to have arisen out of this armistice, and at the same time to have been in some degree connected with an expectation that the French General would be thereby induced to suffer the Inhabitants and natives who had taken an active part in favor of this country to remain in the Island without any molestation to their persons or Property, in consequence of their former conduct. The favorable report I have received of Genl. Toussaint's behaviour in this respect, and the hope I entertain that our giving effect to the agreement would become an additional encouragement to him to persevere in the same humane system, are the grounds on which I have recommended to His Majesty to send Col. Grant to St Domingo for this purpose.

Having stated to you the motives which appear to have actuated Genl. Maitland in forming this engagement and those which

have suggested to me the propriety of giving it effect, I have no hesitation to admit that as Genl. Maitland acceded to the same without any powers whatever from this Country so to do, Genl. Toussaint can have no right to complain of its ratification being made conditional to his binding himself not to suffer any Privateer to be fitted out, or to sail from any Ports under his Dominion to cruise against the vessels or trade of the United States, nor any American Prize to be received or sold in any such Ports; and I shall not fail to direct Col. Grant to propose an additional Article to this Effect, and to inform Genl. Toussaint that unless it shall be accepted and strictly observed, he must not expect that the Convention can be ratified or executed by this Country.

As I cannot doubt the favorable light in which you view every measure that tends to maintain and improve the political and commercial relations existing between this Country and the United States, I derive a great satisfaction from this opportunity of convincing you how anxiously I feel, in common with every Department of His Majesty's Government, to pay all possible attention to every suggestion which coincides with your wishes and the friendly footing in which England and America now stand with respect to each other.

I have the honor to be &c, &c,

HENRY DUNDAS.

R. KING TO GENL. PINCKNEY,

LONDON, Dec. 10, 1798.

DEAR SIR:

I have very great pleasure in congratulating you on your safe arrival; it will be a further satisfaction to hear that the voyage did not prove injurious to your daughter's health. We are, as you will naturally suppose, extremely anxious to receive news from Philadelphia, subsequent to the meeting of Congress, and the more so since we have been made acquainted with the issue of the late Elections in some of the middle States.

I have hoped that we should acquire greater union among ourselves and more confidence in our Government by the experience of the few last years: but if the same firm and persevering oppoposition in the H. of R. is to continue, the Govt. must be degraded

and embarrassed; and we amuse ourselves in believing that ultimately France will not succeed in her detestable projects.

No one has felt more keenly than you the disgust and indignation excited by the frequency as well as the manner in which our divisions and attachments are spoken of abroad. I have often wished that some of the real Americans, who profess an ardent devotion to their Country and still oppose its Government, could come abroad and there experience the same Humiliation; if they are men of integrity, it would cure them of their dangerous folly.

The U. S. from situation, strength and knowledge, as well as on account of the freedom of their Government, and the vigour and enterprize of their People, have the Right as well as the Power to take the lead in whatever may affect or concern the new world : without boasting, we may truly say that we can resolve on no measure relative to our Continent, that we are not able to execute and I therefore hope we shall never form a connexion with any nation, in which America is not the main object and the U. S. the principal and leading agent. If we resolve to respect ourselves, we shall soon receive better treatment and more respect from others. No one can predict the return of Peace to Europe; there are no symptoms even, which encourage the Hope that this desirable Event is likely soon to arrive.

This then is the favorable moment, when we should assume the attitude that belongs to us, and hasten those Plans, the execution of which ought not in Prudence to be longer deferred.

With sincere attachment & Esteem &c &c

RUFUS KING.

P. S. I can't express the satisfaction with which I have heard of the definite settlement of a question in wh. you and some other of my friends were concerned.

R. KING TO SECRETARY OF STATE. No. 12.

LONDON, Dec. II, 1798.

DEAR SIR:

The detention of the Packet gives me an opportunity of sending you copies of my Letter to Mr. Dundas and of his answer. I have no doubt that the Convention with Toussaint grew out of

the Difficulties of Genl. Maitland's military situation. He found it impossible to defend himself and was embarrassed with three or four thousand Colonial troops, principally blacks, whom he dared not carry to Jamaica, and was without shipping to send to Europe. He asked Toussaint to receive and protect them, which was agreed to on condition that Provisons should be sent to subsist them. Hence the stipulations on this Head.

Col. Grant will soon embark for St. Domingo. I understand that the Government intend to put the Business into the hands and under the control of some one person; it has been offered to a considerable Jamaica merchant who has refused it; indeed the Jamaica proprietors are much alarmed by the transaction. If Toussaint supports his Power and is not ensnared by Hadonville, it is not improbable that St. Domingo will entirely throw off the Dominion of France.

We are perplexed with the same uncertainty with respect to the recommencement of the war. According to the last mail from Ireland, there will be great opposition to the projected union. With perfect Respect and Esteem,

RUFUS KING.

CHAPTER XXX.

Jay to King-European Affairs-Cabot, Conversation with Liston-Praise of King-England's Power and Policy-Hindman-Result of the ElectionsPickering to King-Alien and Sedition Laws-Virginia and Kentucky call for their Repeal-King to Secy. of State-Buonaparte in Egypt-Report of Assassination-To Hamilton-State of Europe-To Secy. of State -France declares War against Naples-Neapolitan Troops defeatedAustria had made Peace-To the Duke of Portland-Restoration of an Estate confiscated in Newfoundland demanded-To Secy. of State-St. Domingo-England and United States should act in Concert should it become independent-Conferences with Lord Grenville as to its Influence on British West Indies-His Suggestion of a joint Corporation for Trade objected to as inadmissible under the Constitution and unadvisable for our Merchants-Might each make Treaties with Toussaint, etc.-G. B. desires to act with U. S.-Secy. of State to King-Outrage of Capt. Loring-J. Hale to King-Affairs in United States.

JOHN JAY TO R. KING.

ALBANY, 12 Dec., 1798.

DEAR SIR:

The Treaty between Austria and Naples countenanced the probability of a war between them and France; and subsequent Events do not encrease the prospect of a general peace. It appears that the Invasion of Egypt followed by Nelson's victory, has produced a Declaration of War by the Turks agst France. If it be true that Oglow has not only been pardoned but promoted, the affairs of the Turkish Empire must be in sad state ;— Russian anxieties are dangerous Remedies for imbecilities at Home. I suspect the Turk has much to fear.

The Directory and Buonaparte have gotten rid of each other, and they both must know and think of it. I presume therefore that Buonaparte when deciding on his present Expedition did not calculate with certainty on aid from them, and consequently