Project first proposed by Ld. Grenville and also of the necessity of concerted measures between us and this country. He went very far upon this point, and as his Powers, or rather those given to Mr. Liston, (for Col. Maitland will have no public character) are very full, I am greatly in hopes that an adjustment will be made that will be satisfactory in the present case and open the way to future and beneficial Regulations respecting the West Indies. What is now done, should have in view, and if possible should be so settled as to assist what hereafter must be done. Colonel Maitland is well acquainted with Mr. Liston, and from peculiar circumstances will be likely to have much influence with him.

We have just received the President's speech. The king who had before more than once asked me whether it had yet arrived, told me yesterday that he had read it and that he found it an able and excellent speech. This opinion is expressed by every one, and our national reputation is daily increased by the steady and dignified conduct of our Government.

I have not heard that any of our Ships have made use of Certificates purporting that no part of their cargoes was of the growth or fabric of the British territories. Some Danish or Swedish ships, lately detained by the English cruizers are provided with Certificates of this sort; indeed the merchants and navigators of their Nation, appear to conform to the Regulations from time to time made by France respecting the Commerce & Navigation of Neutral Nations.

In a late trial of these detained Ships, the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty took notice of the French Decree respecting British Productions and manufactures belonging to Neutrals and laden upon Neutral ships, spoke of it as a violation of the essential maxims of the Law of Nations, intimated that an acquiescence in it by Neutral Nations appeared unfriendly to England as well as humiliating to themselves, and that Certificates granted by French Consuls resident in Neutral Countries declaring that no part of the Cargoes of Ships laden in such Countries was of British production or fabric, afforded a presumption that such Cargo belonged to France or to her citizens. After this intimation it is not improbable that vessels provided with such certificates will be detained and sent in for adjudication. On the other hand France adheres to her Decrees, and our vessels are captured because

their Passports or Roles d'Equipages do not conform to the law of March 1797, and upon the pretence that their Cargoes are wholly or partly of English fabric or production.

Several of our Tobacco and other valuable ships have lately been taken and upon one pretence or another all vessels met by French Privateers & which are unable to defend themselves are captured; and it is nearly or quite two years since I have heard of the discharge of any American Ship sent into a French Port as Prize. Upon our own Coasts & in the West Indies, the Privateers have decreased, but they have during the winter increased in the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and about the Western Islands,

The Privateers are nourished by the capture of Neutral Property. The Trade of England sails in fleets and under Convoy and in this way is essentially protected. Why should we not collect our Rice and Tobacco Ships and send them to market under our own convoy? We see that the English East and West India Trade is carry'd on in fleets which are convoyed in safety to their Ports of discharge. More time is requisite to perform the voyage, but a much less premium insures the ship and cargo, and the measure would be no inconsiderable national saving.

Should any of our Frigates come to Europe, and touch at any of the English Ports, I think by no means improbable that we could obtain the discharge of the American seamen who have been taken in French Privateers and are confined here as prisoners of war. They are upwards of an hundred and perhaps double that number.

With perfect Respect & Esteem &c. &c.

RUFUS KING.

R. KING TO JOHN ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

DEAR SIR:

LONDON, Jany, 26, 1799.

I had some weeks past the pleasure of receiving your Letter of the 16th October. The Enclosure was immediately forwarded, tho' from the obstructions which interrupted the Passage to Hamburg, I fear it was a long time on its way to Berlin. We are still uncertain what is to be the Situation of Europe during the approaching summer; on this topic I must refer to my Dispatches

to Col. Pickering. It would be hardly decent to express what I think of the weakness, corruption & indecision of most of the Continental Govts. The aristocracies are as unwise and as base as their Princes; and if Europe shall be rescued from the Barbarism, with which Philosophy is about to overrun it, it will be effected by the moderation & virtues of the People, who in Spain, Italy & throughout Germany are less guilty, & more meritorious than their Magistrates and Rulers. This is a melancholy prospect, and one that may appal, tho' it ought not to discourage, the boldest minds. The firmness, the courage and the resources of England, joined to the docility of the people and the wonderful ease with which the Laws are adapted to the new and dangerous condition of surrounding circumstances, are the highest Eulogium of its Constitution, afford a rational Hope of ultimate security and confirm what is so well proved in the best work that has been written upon the intricate subject of Government.

Amidst this mighty storm, it is my greatest pleasure, and the source of the most gratifying Pride, to mark the increasing attention with which Europe continues to observe and applaud the able and dignified Administration of the American Government, -which in its open & manly proceedings towards France has not only done much for its own Security, but more for that of Europe than many portions of it have had the courage or wisdom to do for themselves. This language is involuntary, for everywhere throughout Europe, strong tho' ill founded prejudices existed against us and our Institutions.*

With unfeigned Respect & attachment, I am, &c.

R. KING.

*J. ADAMS TO T. PICKERING, SECRETARY of State.

QUINCY, 13th Ap., 99.

I regret I cannot have an opportunity of receiving Genl. Maitland and Colonel Grant, and conversing with them on several subjects of importance.

I hope Mr. King's public dispatches to you were written in better spirits than his private letter to me (probably Jany. 26 p. 29). You will please return it to me. Mr. King was, you know, at times a little subject to croaking. I fear, however, in this case he has too much reason. The people of Europe see little difference between the new and old state of things. The highest and lowest of mankind are desperately corrupt and wicked, and the middling people are almost destroyed.

CHAPTER XXXII.

King to Secretary of State-Neapolitans beaten in every Quarter-Union of Great Britain and Ireland considered-To General Maitland-His Mission should be no Misunderstanding between England and United States-King to Lord Grenville-Will England receive the Construction of France as conclusive on the Points in which France and United States disagree?— Shows the Wrong of such a Decision-Secretary of State to King-President approves his Interposition to prevent the Emigration of the Irish Traitors to the United States-Difficulties with Commissioners under the 6th Article-Act of Congress against French Privateers-King nominated as Commissioner to make a commercial Treaty with Russia-CabotTroubles with the Commissioners under 6th Article-Confidence in R. King to act wisely-Secretary of State to King-Virginia Resolutions disapproved of-King to Dundas on the East India Trade and his AnswerTo R. Varick-Counterfeit Notes-Cabot to King-Effect of Conduct of France-Speculations on commercial Relations-Affairs in the United States-Truxton captures L'Insurgente-Scarcity of Copper prevents the Sale of it to the United States.

R. KING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. No. 24.

DEAR SIR:

LONDON, Jany. 27, 1799.

Letters were yesterday received from Adml. Nelson, dated Naples Bay Decr. the 22d, which state that the Neapolitan Army is beaten in every quarter, that the cowardice of the soldiery is only equalled by the Treachery of the officers, that the King & Queen with the British Ambassador Sir Wm. Hamilton have escaped and were on board the Admiral's Ship on their way to Palermo in Sicily. Genl. Mack was at Capua & Naples in the hands of the French. Thus all Italy, excepting Tuscany, which will not escape, especially as Leghorn has lately been occupied by the Neapolitans protected by the Br. fleet, is completely in

the Power, and its wealth & resources entirely at the disposal of the Directory. It does not appear that the least effort was made by Austria to assist Naples; the Casus Fœderis it is alleged did not exist. The Conquest of Italy in itself is a most important Event, but the influence of these rapid Successes will exceed all calculation, on the one hand in dissipating the effects of the late naval victories of England, and by animating & hastening the new Levies of France; and on the other by increasing the hesitation of Austria & Russia, and adding to the embarrassments which retard the projected Confederacy.

The subject of an Union has been brought before the Parliaments of G. Britain and Ireland; in the former an answer to the King's Message has been voted without division engaging to take the subject into consideration; in the latter the address to the same effect in answer to the Speech of the Lord Lieutenant was carried in the House of Commons only by 106 against 105 Votes. This, I presume, is an unexpected Division. What will be the next step I can only conjecture. The Minister here stands publickly pledged to pursue the measure until it shall be crowned with compleat success. At present perhaps nothing further will be attempted in Ireland; but the Plan will I think be laid before the Br. Parliament, where its advantages as well to Ireland as to the Empire being fully discussed and laid open, may become the Foundation of a renewed attempt with the present or a future Irish Parliament.

With perfect Respect & Esteem &c. &c.

RUFUS KING.

DEAR SIR:

R. KING TO GENERAL MAITLAND.

LONDON, Jany. 27, 1799.

I cannot omit the opportunity before your departure to express to you the satisfaction that I feel in your going to Philadelphia. The Business that carries you there in itself is of considerable importance, but taken in connection with the harmony and friendly intercourse that so happily subsist between our two Countries, and which it is so much the wish of both to preserve and to perpetuate, the subject becomes ten fold more interesting; and it is

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