June 26 1812: Russell's Good Understanding

On June 23, 1812, Jonathan Russell, the American diplomat in London, meets with Lord Castlereagh in the morning to further discuss the repeal of the Orders in Council. Later, Russell writes a letter advising that he is sending the documents and new information to his government. He hopes that this "may accelerate a good understanding on all points of difference between the two States." Russell's letter is reproduced below. 

Mr. Russell to Lord Castlereagh

18 Bentinck Street, June 26, 1812.

My Lord: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the two notes addressed to me by your lordship on the 23d of this month, enclosing an order in council, issued that day by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of His Britannic Majesty, for the revocation (on the conditions therein specified) of the orders in council of the 7th of January, 1807, and of the 26th of April, 1809, so far as may regard American vessels and their cargoes, being American property, from the 1st of August next.

In communicating tbis document to my Government, I shall, with much satisfaction, accompany it with the hopes which you state to be entertained by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, that it may accelerate a good understanding on all points of difference between the two States. I am the more encouraged to believe that these hopes will not be disappointed, from the assurance which your lordship was pleased to give me, in the conversation of this morning, that, in the opinion of your lordship, the blockade of the 16th May, 1806, had been merged in the orders in council, now revoked, and extinguished with them; and that no condition contained in the order of the 23d instant is to be interpreted to restrain the Government of the United States from the exercise of its right to exclude British armed vessels from the harbors and waters of the United States, whenever there shall be special and sufficient cause for so doing, or whenever such exclusion shall, from a general policy, be extended to the armed vessels of the enemies of Great Britain. This assurance, I am happy to consider as evidence of a conciliatory spirit, which will afford, on every other point of difference, an explanation equally frank and satisfactory.

I am, &c.

JONATHAN RUSSELL.