WASHINGTON August 13th 1816.
SIR, I have had the honour to receive your letter of yesterday's date.
For the same reasons which I have assigned in the letter which I had the honour to address to you on the 6th instant, I conceive, that I am not authorized to make, even provisionally, any precise agreement as to the exact manner in which the respective Naval Forces upon the Lakes shall be limited; as in any such agreement, whether permanent or provisional, reference must equally be had to the arrangements of a peace establishment, and the ordinary administration of His Majesty's Provinces.
I am not in possession of a correct statement of His Majesty's Naval Force now in commission upon the Lakes, but I will take the earliest means of procuring, and communicating to you the most accurate information upon this point; and I can in the mean time give you the assurance, that all further augmentation of it will be immediately suspended.
I have the honour to be with the highest consideration-Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant.
CHARLES BAGOT
The Honble James MONROE
&c. &c. &c.
Source: Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America. Edited by Hunter Miller Volume 2 Documents 1-40 : 1776-1818 Washington : Government Printing Office, 1931. |