perience on this Subject. I have not seen his Military Books, Drawings, &c, but am informed that they are inestimable. The Cannon he proposes to make a present of to the United States is a perfect model, and will serve to assist in the Casting and Mounting Field Artillery. I have sent a copy of the Count's Letter likewise to Col. Pickering, and must wait for the President's instructions, thro' him or you, in what manner I shall answer it. Count Rumford proposes to return with the view of residing a part of his time in his Native Country. On this Subject I take the liberty of referring you to a Letter from me to Col. Pickering, and will only add that it would undoubtedly be encouraging and grateful to him to receive an answer from the President, thro' me or in any other way, that he will be received in a kind and friendly manner. I have not for a long time received any Letters from you; nor do I know that you have received your Books, Medals, &c, that I have at different times sent you. I shall by the earliest opportunity send you the Dies which have been ready these four months. I am always happy to hear of and from you, and beg you to accept the assurance of my Sincere Esteem & Respect. R. KING TO O. WOLCOTT, ESQ. RUFUS KING. LONDON, March 16, 1799. DEAR SIR: I was in hopes to have heard from you by the last packet, and to have received your opinion respecting the arms sent by Pitcairn from Hamburgh to New York. You know that I have had considerable apprehension that their quality would disappoint us. I don't know what is the quantity Pitcairn has engaged. The interruption during the winter has been such as to cut off all correspondence. Not having an immediate Demand for the whole of the money in the hands of the Mess. Barings, I have requested them to pay Mr. Williams about £5000, to assist him in the prosecution of our prize Cases; this saves us from borrowing here for that purpose, which we shall be obliged to do unless we receive further Remittances. I have also lately ordered the Mess. Barings to remit Pitcairn £7000.; the exchange is much in our favor, the Bills at two and a half and three usances, which I have desired might not be discounted, except as the money should be wanted. This step has been influenced by the Persuasion that circumstances were at hand that would materially affect the exchange between this and Hamburgh, and the Bills being at long sight will in a great measure preserve us from Casualties. I shall send you soon the late Reports of the Committee on Finance and such other publications relative to that subject as have lately appeared. Send me in return your Reports and Statements to Congress. Without I obtain them I am not able to answer a thousand questions, that it is of use to us should be answered, and correctly. Yours &c. DEAR SIR: R. KING TO COUNT RUMFord. RUFUS KING. LONDON, Mar. 17, 1799. That your numerous and respectable friends in this Country, should be gratified by the postponement of your voyage to America is extremely natural. But I foresaw such advantages from your return among us, to our various public institutions, many of which are but now beginning to establish themselves, that I cannot refrain from expressing to you my sincere regret that it is likely to be so long deferred. I console myself however with your obliging assurance that it is not entirely relinquished. Though I think I might before hand thank you in the Presi dent's name for the many valuable tokens of friendship that you kindly offer us, I have preferred to send your Letter to the Secre tary of State, with a request it might be laid before the President in order that I may receive his Instructions, in what manner I shall answer it. I beg you, my dear Sir, to pardon the delay that has occurred in my acknowledgment of the receit of your Letter, which has been occasioned by pressing Engagements, and to be assured of the sincere Regard & Esteem, &c, &c. RUFUS KING. LORD GRENVILLE TO R. KING. DOWNING STREET, March 21, 1799. Lord Grenville presents his compliments to Mr. King and has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of his memorial of the 11th of this month relative to the conduct of the Commander of his Majesty's ship Carnatic. The Government of the U. S. may be assured that the King is always solicitous to respect the Rights and Honor of those powers with whom his majesty entertains the relations of friendship; that the instructions, which by his majesty's orders are given to the commanders of his fleets or ships of war, affirm the strictest attention to this principle, particularly in the case of the ships of war of any of those powers; and that his majesty, desirous at all times to manifest his friendship towards the U. S., will certainly see with displeasure any act which may have been committed by any officer in his majesty's service in derogation of the attention and respect due to their flag. With regard to the particular facts mentioned in Mr. King's memorial the most immediate inquiry will be instituted into them that the distance of the service upon which the Commander of his majesty's ship Carnatic is now employed will allow, and on the result of this inquiry his majesty will pursue with delay such measures as the case may appear to require in conformity to the principles above stated. VOL. II.-37 CHAPTER XXXIV. King to Jay-Domestic and foreign Affairs-Sedgwick-Nomination of Murray-Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions-Troubles of Commission under sixth Article-King to Secretary of State-French Movements-Louisiana -Blindness which prevents a general Confederacy against France-Lord Grenville and King-On Outrage by Capt. Loring-Blockade of the Ports of Holland-King to Lord Grenville, advising recasting eighteenth Article of the Treaty of Amity, etc., to obtain more Precision of Terms-Naval Stores To Wm. Smith-Mission to Russia and the Porte-Count Rumford -Hindman-Result of the Elections—King to Secretary of State-Modifications of French Regulations against American Commerce-French military Operations in the Tyrol-To Jay-Muskets bought in Hamburg for New York-Troup-Disgust at Murray's Nomination-Insurrection in Pennsylvania-King to Sir Joseph Banks-United States Mint and Coins -To Lord Grenville-Specification of proposed Alterations in eighteenth Article. DEAR SIR: RUFUS KING TO JOHN JAY.* LONDON, March 18th, 1799. The opposition of Virginia, and of her offspring, Kentucky, appears bolder and more considerable than I had apprehended. The reform that seems to have taken place in the Carolinas is, however, a consoling and important circumstance. I have been inclined to believe that the Congressional election was the principal object of those inflammatory proceedings, which discredit and injure us abroad, and when passed, that these States would display less turbulence. According to present appearances, the war must recommence between France and Austria, if it has not already begun; but that an honest and solid confederacy against France is likely to take *Life of John Jay, vol. ii., p. 296. place between the great powers is more than I dare even to expect. Russia is uncommonly zealous. Passawan Ouglou has accepted pardon and promotion; and it is just now said, how accurately is another point, that Russia and Austria are to lay aside their mutual jealousy, and to consult and act together for their common safety. The commercial condition of England is extremely prosperous and notwithstanding the hazardous and really dreadful situation of Ireland, this country is united in an uncommon degree, and appears resolved to persevere in the war. The minister, at the opening of his budget, estimates the total income of all the people of Great Britain at a hundred million per annum; and it is confidently expected that the taxes of this year will considerably exceed one-third of this sum. The Directory lately hold a language respecting America more moderate, but not less artful and dangerous. Whether any change in their privateering laws will be made, I think uncertain; if my conjectures respecting the views of the Directory are correct, these laws will be now modified, or at least for a time suspended. After the experience we have had, it will be humiliating if we are deceived by the artifices that will be practised among our people. Obedt. & faithful Servt. RUFUS KING. T. SEDGWICK TO R. KING. STOCKBRIDGE, 20th March, 1799. DEAR SIR: You will have seen the nomination of our friend Mr. Murray as Minister to the french republic, and its consequences. The immediate document to which the President refers, the Letter from Talleyrand to Pichon, which in the President's opinion affords "a plausible appearance of probability" (a degree of evidence I do not perfectly comprehend,) of french sincerity, is published. That letter refers to one of the date of the 4th fructidor. It is unfortunate that the fructidor letter asserts the claim of france to treat only with those "who are truly american, not seduced by Great Britain, neither friendly to royalty nor inimical to france." No good, it is stated, can be expected by a negotia |