KATHARINE

320

him

to

that

B.

JUDSON

His Majesty's Government entertained no doubt

of the United States being entitled under the provisions of the 1st Article of the Treaty to resume possession of whatever was held by them at the moment of rupture which was not subject

and

I

made by

the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th articles; him with the orders which were given to acquainted

to the exceptions

prevent any interruption being offered to the re-establishment of the Post in question. In conformity, however, to Your Lordship's instructions, I did not disguise from him that His Majesty's Government had seen with some regret the irregular mode in which the United States had seen fit to resume possession of the settlement; and I took the opportunity of laying a general claim, on the part of the British Crown, to the territory upon which it had been made.

"Mr. Adams appeared

what I said in good part. American government put very That the Ontario had little value upon the post of Astoria. received her orders before he had entered upon the duties of his office, but that he could assure me that she had been instructed not to commit any act of hostility or force whatever and that with regard to her having been despatched without

He

to receive

%

stated that in fact the

previous concert with me, he could take it upon himself to say that it was entirely owing to the belief founded upon a

statement formerly made by Mr. Baker, that there was no person upon the spot by whom a formal surrender could be

made." Sir Charles urged upon Secretary Adams the settlement of the whole question of contiguous boundaries. And Secretary Adams agreed, adding other points, such as the fisheries question, slaves, colonial trade, etc.

The

letter continues

"Mr. Adams informed me that he had been directed by the

me that the circumstances of the Ontario to the Columbia River without any been despatched having intimation being given to me of her destination, was entirely incidental; that she had received her instructions whilst he President to assure

was

at

New York on

his tour to the northern frontier,

and that