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Subject Area: Political Theory

GEORGE M. DALLAS TO GALLATIN. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1 [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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GEORGE M. DALLAS TO GALLATIN.

London, January 11, 1814.

Dear Sir,—

Reports have been so incessant relative to your departure from St. Petersburg that I have not deemed it necessary or safe to address you at that place. The last and most certain information I received was through Mr. Beasley, who showed me an extract from a letter of Mr. Adams, intimating that you were on the eve of quitting Russia, having finally heard from Lord Cathcart the determination of the British Cabinet on the question of mediation, and that you would probably travel to the south in order to avoid the Baltic. I have concluded your design was to consume the winter on the road, and to reach Gottenburg early in the spring. Fearful, however, of being mistaken, and anxious to communicate the little of importance that has occurred since my arrival here, I hasten to intrust one more letter to the care of Mr. Hale, to insure its meeting you before you sail for America.

It was not until the 13th of December that I received any notice from his Excellency Count Lieven, and on the 14th, according to his desire, I called upon him. He was exceedingly polite, and told me that he had been anxious to see me; that he had written several notes, which he supposed had miscarried, and that owing to a very great press of business he had not been able to make regular inquiries for the place of my residence. He wished to speak about what particularly interested me. I interrupted him, and, in order to do away any impression which some absurd paragraphs in the newspapers relative to me might produce, thought it best to state explicitly and in the words of your letter why and how far I deemed myself authorized to proceed in the business. The Count then said that Lord Castlereagh had questioned him upon my arrival;—“a fact which I deemed it improper to deny or conceal;”—but he answered that the object of my coming could only be agreeable to the British Cabinet, as it was simply pacific. He had intended directing me to write a long letter to my government explanatory of the views and dispositions of this Cabinet. But Lord Castlereagh, having obtained from the ministers at St. Petersburg an unqualified declaration that their powers were limited to a negotiation under mediation (but that they were certain America would treat in any way wished for by the British government), had himself written, in the latter end of October, to Mr. Monroe, stating the precise circumstances of the mission, what communications had taken place between the gentlemen who composed it and his government, and had finished by reiterating the anxiety of the British Cabinet to make peace. Count Lieven then went somewhat into the argument he had heard from Lord Castlereagh relating to the right of search and impressment as practised by the British navy, which he conceived could only be bottomed on a case of necessity. He declared that since his coming to the Court of St. James, and particularly since the offered mediation of his Emperor, he had had several conversations upon the subject of the American war with the English minister; that Lord Castlereagh had invariably and with great apparent sincerity pronounced his wish to accommodate; but had stated at length his reasons for refusing the Russian mediation (reasons that Count Lieven did not appear inclined to dwell upon); had instanced as a proof of this conciliatory spirit my being permitted to remain in the country, and had offered, if I expressed a wish, to receive me and to hear what I had to say or propose. The Count concluded by requesting me to call upon him frequently, when he would tell me everything relating to the matter, and desired me to write in his name and to assure my government of his perfect belief in the sincerity and pacific wishes of the British Cabinet.

I declined the offer of being introduced to Lord Castlereagh, stating that I was not authorized to take any such formal step, having merely received from you directions to hear whatever his Excellency might deem important enough to communicate to my government, and to transmit it immediately; that I was desired to assure him again and again of the real wish for peace on the part of the United States and of the appointed ministers individually, who had in contemplation a base for negotiation that did not appear to oppose any principle hitherto asserted by the British government. To his information that Lord Castlereagh had written to Mr. Monroe, I told him I could hazard no opinion as to the probability of ministers being sent from the United States, but sincerely hoped they would.

On the same day I called upon Mr. Baring, and found him just returned from the country. He mentioned that he had written you a second letter, and was surprised it had not reached you before I left St. Petersburg. He seemed to have abandoned every hope of any negotiation, unless ministers came here from the United States, or you had time to receive new powers and instructions. He told me that Lord Castlereagh had that morning, in the most formal and public manner, crossed the floor of the House of Commons to make inquiries from him about my arrival; that his Lordship expressed some surprise at my not immediately apprising him, and declared it an evidence of an extreme condescension and of amicable spirit that he allowed me to continue in the country. Mr. Baring undertook a personal responsibility for my actions. He concluded by saying that he really thought ministers were desirous of terminating the American war, but that he had nothing which he supposed worth communicating to you just now.

After the conference with Count Lieven I had resolved on writing to Mr. Monroe immediately, but upon being told by Mr. Baring that he had assumed a personal responsibility for my conduct, which he trusted he would not find reason to think misplaced, and supposing a communication made by Mr. Beasley in my name and with the necessary explanations would answer the same purpose, I drew up the following short note, to which he was kind enough to put his signature, and which I enclose merely with a view to let you know everything I have done.

Sir,—

I had the honor to transmit on the 8th a despatch from St. Petersburg put into my hands by Mr. Dallas. Some remarks having been made on the manner of his arrival by Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Baring, and the latter gentleman having assumed a personal responsibility, &c.

This, I believe, was forwarded to the United States on the 18th of December last, since which time nothing has occurred at all connected with the business. I have not lately seen Count Lieven. Mr. Baring has again left town. The cause of the allies is successful on the Continent. Generals Wilkinson and Hampton have been baffled in Canada, and America is scarcely thought of. I have remained in London for the last six weeks, daily anticipating something to turn up, and always prepared, at a moment’s warning, even to cross the Atlantic if the occasion required. Resolved, however, to adhere strictly to your short instructions, I have waited in vain.

The intended visit to my relations in Devonshire I have not yet paid, but am now making preparations for a short trip to them. In the mean while, should you think proper to write to me, your letters will most promptly be forwarded if directed to the care of Mr. Beasley. I am anxious to know if what I have done meets with your approbation, if I can do anything more, or whether, in your opinion, I had better return home. I wish to see Edinburgh, Dublin, and Paris, but your advice shall be gratefully received and most religiously pursued.

Present my best respects to Mr. Bayard, upon whose kindness during my connection with the mission I look back with warm gratitude; to Mr. Milligan, Mr. Todd, and James. And for yourself, dear sir, receive the assurances of an unaltered affection and veneration from

Your most obliged pupil.