USA > Vermont > Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont, Vol. V > Part 65
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No. 15.
MONTREAL, June 12, 1809.
Sir,-I have the honor to inform your excellency, that I received through Mr. Secretary Ryland your excellency's commands to return to Canada; and after the delays incident to this season of the year in a journey from Boston, arrived here yesterday.
Your excellency will have seen by the papers of the latest dates from the United States, that a formidable opposition is already organized in Congress to the late measures of Mr. Madison; and it is very evident, that if he be sincere in his professions of attachment to Great Britain. his party will abandon him. Sixty-one members have already voted against a resolution to approve of what he has done; and I have no doubt the rest of the democratick party will follow the example as soon as they recover from the astonishment into which his apparent defection has thrown them.
The present hopes of the federalists are founded on the probability of a war with France; but at all events this party is strong and well organ- ized enough to prevent a war with England.
It would be now superfluous to trouble your excellency with an account of the nature and extent of the arrangements made by the federal party, to resist any attempt of the government unfavourable to Great Brit- ain. They were such as to do great credit to their ability and principles; and while a judicious policy is observed by Great Britain, secure her in- terests in America from decay. My fear of inducing a false security on the part of his majesty's government in their efficiency, and eventual
494
Appendix H.
success, may have inclined me to refrain from doing them that justice in my former letters, which I willingly take the present occasion to express.
I trust your excellency will ascribe the style and manner of my com- munications, and the frequent ambiguities introduced in them, as aris- ing from the secrecy necessary to be observed, and my consciousness that you understood my meaning on the most delicate points, without risking a particular explanation.
I lament that no occasion commensurate to my wishes, has permitted me to prove how much I value the confidence of your excellency, and the approbation already expressed by his majesty's minister. I have the honour to be, &c.
I CERTIFY, that the foregoing letters are the same referred to in the letter of II. W. Ryland, Esq. dated May 1st, 1809, relating to the mis- sion in which I was employed by Sir James Craig, by his letter of in- structions, bearing date February 6, 1809.
(Signed )
JOHN HENRY.
No. V.
[COPY.] Mr. Ryland to Mr. Henry.
QUEBEC, May 1, 1809.
My Dear Sir,-The news we have received this day from the States, will. I imagine, soon bring you back to us, and if you arrive at Mon- treal by the middle of June, I shall probably have the pleasure of meeting you there, as I am going up with Sir James and a large suite. The last letters received from you are to the 13th April ; the whole are now transcribing for the purpose of being sent home, where they cannot fail of doing you great credit, and I most certainly hope they may eventually contribute to your permanent advantage. It is not necessary to repeat the assurance that no effort within the compass of my power shall be wanting to this end.
I am cruelly out of spirits at the idea of old England truckling to such a debased, and accursed government, as that of the United States.
I am greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, in procur- ing the books, though, if Spain fails, I shall scarcely have heart to look into them. I can add no more now, but that I am, most heartily, and affectionately, yours, H. W. R. [COPY.] Mr. Ryland to Mr. Henry.
MAY 4, 1809.
My Dear Sir,-You must consider the short letter I wrote to you by the last post as altogether unofficial; but I am now to intimate to you, in a more formal manner, our hope of your speedy return; as the object of your journey seems, for the present, at least, to be at an end. We have London news, by the way of the river, up to the 6th March, which tallies to a day with what we have received by the way of the States. Heartily wishing you a safe and speedy journey back to us, I am, my dear sir, most sincerely, yours, H. W. R.
Have the goodness to bring my books with you, though I shall have little spirit to look into them unless you bring good news from Spain.
495
Appendix H.
[COPY.]
No. VI.
Mr. Henry's Memorial to Lord Liverpool, enclosed in a Letter to Mr. Peel, of the 13th June, with a copy of that Letter.
The undersigned most respectfully submits the following statement and memorial to the earl of Liverpool;
Long before, and during the administration of your lordship's prede- cessor, the undersigned bestowed much personal attention to the state of parties, and to the political measures in the United States of America. * * * * * * *
* *
Soon after the affair of the Chesapeake frigate, when his majesty's governour general of British America had reason to believe that the two countries would be involved in a war, and had submitted to his majes- ty's ministers the arrangements of the English party in the United States, for an efficient resistance to the general government, which would probably terminate in a separation of the northern States from the general confederacy, he applied to the undersigned to undertake a mis- sion to Boston, where the whole concerns of the opposition were man- aged. The object of the mission was, to promote and encourage the federal party to resist the measures of the general government; to offer assurances of aid and support from his majesty's government of Canada; and to open a communication between the leading men engaged in that opposition and the governour general, upon such a footing as circumstan- ces might suggest; and finally, to render the plans then in contempla- tion, subservient to the views of his majesty's government .*
The undersigned undertook the mission, which lasted from the month of January to the month of June, inclusive, during which period * * those public acts and legislative resolutions of the assemblies of Massa- chusetts and Connecticut were passed, which kept the general govern- ment of the United States in check, and deterred it from carrying into execution the measures of hostility with which Great Britain was men- aced.
For his services on the occasion herein recited, and the loss of time, and expenses incurred, the undersigned neither sought nor received any compensation, but trusted to the known justice and liberality of his majesty's government, for the reward of services which could not, he humbly conceives, be estimated in pounds, shillings and pence. On the patronage and support which was promised in the letter of sir J. Craig, under date of the 26th January, 1809, (wherein he gives an assurance " that the former correspondence and political information transmitted by the undersigned, had met with the particular approbation of his maj- esty's secretary of state; and that his execution of the mission (proposed to be undertaken in that letter,) would give him a claim not only on the governor general but on his majesty's ministers,") the undersigned has relied; and now most respectfully claims, in whatever mode the earl of Liverpool may be pleased to adopt.
The undersigned most respectfully takes this occasion to state, that sir James Craig promised him an employment in Canada, worth upwards of one thousand pounds a year, by his letter (herewith transmitted) un- der date, Sept. 13, 1809, which he has just learned has, in consequence of his absence, been given to another person. The undersigned ab- stains from commenting on this transaction; and most respectfully sug- gests that the appointment of judge advocate general of the province of Lower Canada, with a salary of five hundred pounds a year, or a consu- late in the United States sine curia would be considered by him as a
* Vide the despatches of Sir J. Craig in June 1808.
496
Appendix H.
liberal discharge of any obligation that his majesty's government may entertain in relation to his services.
Copy of a Letter to Mr. Peel, enclosing the foregoing.
Sir,-I take leave to enclose to you a memorial addressed to the earl of Liverpool, and beg you will have the goodness either to examine the documents in your office or those in my own possession, touching the extent and legitimacy of my claim.
Mr. Ryland, the secretary of Sir J. Craig, is now in London, and from his official knowledge of the transactions and facts, alluded to in the me- morial, can give any information required on that subject. I have the honour, &c.
(Signed) J. H.
June 13, 1811.
No. VII.
[COPY. ]-Mr. Peel, Secretary to Lord Liverpool, to Mr. Henry, dated Downing Street, June 28, 1811.
Sir,-I have not failed to lay before the earl of Liverpool the memo- rial, together with its several enclosures, which was delivered to me a few days since by general Loft, at your desire.
His Jordship has directed me to acquaint you, that he has referred to the correspondence in this office of the year 1808,1 and finds two letters from Sir James Craig, dated April 10, and May 5, transmitting the cor- respondence that has passed during your residence in the northern states of America, and expressing his confidence in your ability and judgment; but Lord Liverpool has not discovered any wish on the part of Sir James Craig, that your claims for compensation should be refer- red to this country, nor indeed is allusion made to any kind of arrange- ment or agreement, that had been made by that officer with you.
Under these circumstances, and had not sir James Craig determined on his immediate return to England, it would have been lord Liver- pool's wish to have referred your memorial to him, as being better ena- bled to appreciate the ability and success with which you executed a mission undertaken at his desire. Lord Liverpool will however trans- mit it to sir James Craig's successor in the government, with an assur- ance, that from the recommendations he has received in your favour, and the opinion he has formed on your correspondence, he is convinced the publick service will be benefitted by your active employment in a publick situation.
Lord Liverpool will also feel himself bound to give the same assur- ance to the Marquis Wellesley, if there is any probability that it will advance the success of the application which you have made to his lord- ship. I am, &c. (Signed) ROBERT PEEL.
J. Henry, Esq. 27, Leicester Square.
No. VIII.
No other answer than a despatch to Sir George Prevost, and the letter marked B.
[COPY.]
Mr. Henry to Mr. Peel.
27, LEICESTER SQUARE. LONDON, Sept. 4, 1811.
Sir,-I have just now learned the ultimate decision of my lord Wellesley, relative to the appointment which I was desirous to obtain, and find that the subsisting relations between the two countries forbid
1 Doubtless 1809.
497
Appendix H.
the creating a new office in the United States, such as I was solicitous to obtain. In this state of things, I have not a moment to lose in re- turning to Canada, and have taken my passage in the last and only ship that sails for Quebec this season. As I have not time to enter de novo into explanations with the gentleman who is in your office; and as I have received assurances from you, in addition to the letter of my lord Liver- pool, of the 27th of June, that "his lordship would recommend me to the governour of Canada, for the first vacant situation that I would accept," I beg the favour of you, to advise me how I am to get that recommen- dation, without the loss of time. I have the honour, &c. J. H.
B. No. IX. [This is the same as B. No. X.]
[COPY.]
No. X. Mr. Ryland to Mr. Henry.
TUESDAY EVENING, July 2, 1811.
Dear Henry,-It gives me real pleasure to find, that the apprehension I had formed, with respect to the fulfilment of your expectations, is likely to prove erroneous. As every thing which passed relative to your mission was in writing, I think you will do well in submitting to Mr. Peel all the original papers. I, myself, could give no other information relative to the subject, than what they contain, as you and I had no op- portunity of any verbal communication respecting it, till after your mis- sion terminated, and I never wrote you a letter in the governour's name which had not previously been submitted to his correction.
The impression I had received of your character and abilities made me anxious to serve you, even before I had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, and the same desire has operated on me ever since; I am, therefore, entitled to hope, that any opinion which I may have given you as to your best mode of obtaining an employment un- der government, will be received with the same candour that gave rise to it. I think you will do well to persevere as you propose. I have no doubt that every letter from you, which Sir James sent home, will be found in Mr. Peel's office, as the established practice there is, to bind the despatches and enclosures, yearly, up together.
Sincerely wishing you every success, I am, &c.
(Signed) B.
H. W. RYLAND.
Lord Liverpool's despatch to Sir George Prevost, with its enclosures, dated Downing Street, Sept. 16, 1811.
Sir,-Mr. Henry, who will have the honour of delivering this letter, is the gentleman who addressed to me the memorial, a copy of which I herewith transmit, and to whom the accompanying letter from Mr. Peel was written by my direction.
In compliance with his request, I now fulfil the assurance which I have given of stating to you my opinion of the ability and judgment which Mr. Henry has manifested on the occasions mentioned in his me- morial, and of the benefit the publick service might derive from his ac- tive employment in any publick situation in which you should think proper to place him. I am, &c. (Signed) LIVERPOOL.
Accompanying the foregoing despatch were several documents which were printed in the preceding pages, reprinted in the official report in
32
498
Appendix H.
connection with the despatch to show, not only that Henry's revelations were correct, but also that they were known and approved by the Brit- ish home government. It is enough here to indicate them, as follows, numbers being as in the preceding pages:
No. I. Mr. Ryland to Sir James Craig, Jan. 26 1809 .- Ante, p. 480.
No. II. Sir James Craig to Mr. Henry, Feb. 6 1809 .- Ante, p. 481.
No. V. Mr. Ryland to Mr. Henry, Ma: 1 and 4 1809. -- Ante, p. 494.
No. VI. Henry's memorial to Lord Liverpool, June 13, 1811 .- Ante, p. 495.
No. VII. Mr. Peel to Mr. Henry, June 28 1811 .- Ante, p. 496.
Message from the President of the United States to the Senate, March 12, 1812.
I transmit to the Senate a report of the Secretary of State, complying with their resolution of the 10th inst. JAMES MADISON.
REPORT.
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred the resolution of the Senate of the 10th inst. has the honor to report, that this department is not in possession of any names of persons in the United States, who have, in any way or manner whatever, entered into or countenanced the project or the views, for the execution or attainment of which John Henry was, in the year 1809, employed by Sir James Craig; the said John Henry having named no persons or person as being concerned in the said project or views referred to in the documents laid before Con- gress on the 9th instant. Which is respectfully submitted.
Department of State, March 12, 1812.
JAMES MONROE.
Extract from the Report of the Committee on Foreign Relations, relative to Henry, Craig, &c. March 19 1812.
Although they did not deem it necessary or proper to go into an in- vestigation of the authenticity of the documents communicated to Con- gress on the responsibility of a co-ordinate branch of the government, it may, nevertheless, be satisfactory to the house to be informed, that the original papers, with the evidences relating to them, in possession of the executive, were submitted to their examination, and were such as fully to satisfy the committee of their gennineness.
The circumstances under which the disclosures of Henry were made to the government, involving considerations of political expediency, have prevented the committee from making those disclosures the basis of any proceeding against him. And from the careful concealment, on his part, of every circumstance which could lead to the discovery and punishment of any individuals within the United States, (should there be any such,) who were criminally connected with him, no distinet ob- ject was presented to the committee, by his communication, for the ex- ereise of the power with which they were invested, of sending for per- sons and papers. On being informed, however, that there was a for- eigner in the city of Washington, who lately came to this country from Europe, with Henry, and was supposed to be in his confidence, the com- mittee thought proper 10 send for him. His examination, taken under oath and reduced to writing, they herewith submit to the house.
This man called himself Count de Crillon, and his testimony showed that Henry was in England at the time of his letter to Mr. Peel and
499
Appendix H.
Liverpool's commendation of him to Sir George Prevost. The rest is a relation of what Henry had said to the witness.
March 11 1812, Augustus J. Foster, the British minister at Washing- ton, wrote to Mr. Monroe, disclaiming " most solemnly, on his own part, the having had any knowledge whatever of the existence of such a mis- sion," expressing his conviction that no countenance whatever was given by his associate British officers to any schemes hostile to the internal tranquility of the United States, and requesting the American govern- ment and Congress "to take into consideration the character of the individual who has made the communication in question," and "sus- pend any further judgment on its merits until the circumstances shall have been made known to his majesty's government."
Extract from the report, or manifesto of the causes and reasons of war with Great Britain, presented to the House of Representatives, by the Committee of Foreign Relations, June 3, 1812.
Your committee would be much gratified if they could close here the detail of British wrongs; but it is their duty to recite another act of still greater malignity than any of those which have been already brought to your view. The attempt to dismember our union, and over- throw our excellent constitution, by a secret mission, the object of which was to foment discontents and excite insurrections against the consti- tuted authorities and laws of the nation, as lately disclosed by the agent employed in it, affords full proof that there is no bound to the hostility of the British government towards the United States: no act, however unjustifiable, which it would not commit to accomplish their ruin. This attempt excites the greater horror from the consideration that it was made while the United States and Great Britain were at peace, and an amicable negotiation was depending between them for the accommoda- tion of their differences, through publick ministers regularly organized for the purpose. 1
In the debate in Congress (House) on Henry's mission, James Fisk of Vermont quoted letters of Mr. Erskine, the British minister who preceded Foster, showing that he had " endeavored by the most strict and diligent inquiries into the views and strength of the Federal party, to ascertain to what extent they would be willing and able to resist the measures of the party in power;" and again, 15th of February, 1809, contemporaneous with Gov. Craig's employment of Henry, showing that a dissolution of the Union had of late, as he had heard, " been seri- ously contemplated by many of the leading people in the eastern di- vision." $
1 Amer. State Papers, 1811-15, Boston edition of 1815, pp. 36-84, 160.
2 Benton's Abridgement, Vol. IV. p. 519.
APPENDIX I.
DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES IN VERMONT .- 1809.
June 7 1809, Congress by resolution directed the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare a plan for the application of such means as are within the power of Congress for the purpose of protecting and foster- ing the manufactures of the United States, together with a statement of the several manufacturing establishments which have been commenced. July 28 the Secretary issued a circular to the several States for the pur- pose of obtaining the desired information, and Oct. 25, on motion of Charles Rich of Shoreham, the General Assembly of Vermont appointed a committee of one from each county to prepare a statement of the man- ufactures of the State. Nov. 7 the committee reported as follows:
The committee raised by the resolution introduced by Mr. C. Rich, and directed to prepare a statement of the manufactures of this State, respectfully submit the accompanying report:
Counties.
Cotton & Linen. No. Yds.
Woolen. No. Yds.
Clothier's Works.
; Carding Machines.
Furn- aces.
Forges.
Bennington
84,100
62,900
11
9
1
3
Windham
120,000
100,000
24
16
Rutland
170,200
143,040
26
18
3
6
Windsor
269,090
134,045
34
25
Addison
127,600
107,200
15
13
2
15
Orange
177,000
177,000
19
19
Chittenden
128,000
110,000
8
8
Caledonia
135,000
110,000
12
10
Franklin
32,600
40,400
7
10
2
2
Orleans
33,000
30,000
4
4
Essex & G. Isle
28,960
27,860
3
3
Amount
1,315,550
1,042,945
163
135
8
26
The above statement, (forges and furnaces excepted) exhibits a view of household manufactures only, which is the result of the best inform- ation your committee have been able to obtain. In the above statement of cloth may be added that of hosiery and almost every article usually made from wool, cotton, or flax, which, to an extent nearly sufficient for the common use of families, is manufactured in this state. It is also be- lieved by your committee, that larger quantities of bar iron and hollow ware are manufactured annually than is sufficient to supply the inhab- itants of this state; there are also 7 paper-mills which, in addition to
501
Appendix 1.
supplying our own citizens with paper, make very large quantities of that article for exportation. There are likewise 4 establishments for the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods in their various branches, which, though in their infancy, promise to be useful both to the owners and to the public. The copperas mine at Strafford likewise bids fair to yield a large supply of the important articles of copperas and vitriols. The marble factory, at Middlebury, yields annually a very large quan- tity of marble of various kinds, very little if any inferior to that which is imported from foreign countries, and promises to be profitable to the owners. The furnace and forge at Vergennes, which are included in the above statement, have been erected by a company from Boston. The furnace has been in blast for some time, and is said to yield from 60 to 70 cwt. of pig iron and ware each 24 hours. The forge is calculated for 8 fires, solely for the purpose of refining iron, all which fines it is ex- pected will be ready to commence the business in a few weeks. The owners of these works have it in contemplation to extend them to the manufacturing of steel and ironmongry in their various branches. There is also a slitting mill at Vergennes, and one at Fairhaven, where the rolling and slitting of iron is carried on to a large extent, and it is believed with handsome profits to the owners. Your committee will only observe further, that omitting to enumerate the various other branches of mechanical business, which it is believed is carried on in this state, and progressing sufficient for the common use of the citizens, the foregoing presents a general view of the manufactures of this state in as correct a manner as the time and means allotted them would ena- ble them to prepare-which is respectfully submitted by
JACOB GALUSHA, for Committee. 1
The resolution of Congress was limited to manufactures, and under this head the committtee might well have embraced at least pot and pearl ashes, if not timber and lumber, which in fact were the most im- portant articles exported to Canada in the neighborhood of Lake Cham- plain. Of agricultural productions, wheat and pork to a large amount were at this time sent to Albany from western, and to Boston and Port- land from eastern Vermont. For a resolution of 1807, recommending the Governor, Council, and members of the House of Representatives to appear at the next session clothed in manufactures of this or other of the United States, see ante, p. 182, note 1.
1 Printed Assembly Journal for 1809, pp. 64, 66, 127.
1
APPENDIX J.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GOV. TICHENOR OF VER- MONT AND GOV. CRAIG OF CANADA-1809.
ON THE SUPPRESSION OF COUNTERFEITING IN CANADA.
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY, Nov. 11, 1808.
Resolved, the Governor and Council concurring herein, That his Ex- cellency the Governor of this State be, and he hereby is requested to make such communication to the Supreme Executive of the province of Lower Canada as in his opinion will be most likely to obtain the legis- lative aid of that Province to remove and disperse or otherwise punish that band of counterfeiters which infests the southern borders thereof and are constantly preying upon the property of the good citizens of this and the United States.
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