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GALLATIN TO HENRY CLAY. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 2 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO HENRY CLAY.

No. 62.

London, 21st March, 1827.

Sir,—

Mr. Canning is so far recovered as to have been able to give audiences to most of the foreign ministers. I had a short interview with him yesterday, in which he expressed his and Mr. Huskisson’s regret that the progress of our negotiations should have been arrested by this gentleman’s indisposition, and his hope that he would be able to resume the conferences week after next.

In the mean while, Mr. Addington, with Mr. Huskisson’s approbation, and myself have agreed to have a general map prepared of the surveys, or rather explorations, made by order of the late commission under the 5th Article of the Treaty of Ghent. This general map is to be substituted for the two contradictory general maps respectively presented by the American and British agents to the board, but neither of which, both being objected to by the other party, was filed. But, so far as we have agreed, it is to show only the water-courses, sources of the rivers, and portages, and the lines respectively claimed by each party. It is one step gained towards simplifying the question and enabling a friendly sovereign to decide it. But on the difficult point, what must be considered as highlands generally under the treaty, we have not yet been able to agree; and if we do not, all the detailed surveys and the reports of surveyors must go before the arbiter and become a subject of discussion. It is hardly probable that any sovereign can be found who would be either able or willing to decide on a question depending on contested topographical facts, such as the elevation and nature of the ground. New surveys and interminable delays would, at all events, be the consequence. The misfortune is that, if we can by mutual admissions get rid of that difficulty, the argument will be so clearly in our favor that it is the interest of Great Britain to continue to perplex the subject by still insisting that there are no highlands along our assumed line. And in this assertion they are countenanced by a letter from Judge Sullivan to Mr. Madison, and one from Mr. Madison to Mr. King, dated 8th June, 1802, both of which have been published in the tenth volume of our public documents (page 474 to 482).

On that subject I can do nothing with Mr. Addington, who has imbibed all the feelings of the British agent and commissioner, and has on that question all the zeal of a partisan. I will press earnestly on Mr. Huskisson, and, if necessary, on Mr. Canning, the propriety of reducing the question to one on which a foreign [sovereign] can decide, and the impossibility of his so doing if we call on him to pronounce on contested facts of that nature. If I cannot succeed in that respect, there will be no resource than so to manage the argument as that the decision may not be made to depend on contested facts; and this will require admissions on our part somewhat injurious, though, as I confidently believe, not fatal, to our cause.

I think that I could collect from Mr. Canning that he is not very uneasy about the King’s choice of a Prime Minister, but that the decision is not yet made. He observed, as a singular fact in the operation of the British Constitution, that at this moment the King was everything. It is sufficiently known that, once the Ministry settled, he is and desires to be nobody.

The late news from Spain appear quite satisfactory, and Mr. Canning considers them as such.

I have the honor, &c.