John Quincy Adams Digital Diary

17. VI:30. First Snow this Season. Mr Daniel Brent here to ask for a decision upon the application of Andrew Armstrong— George Johnson came, and gave me further explanations in relation to his books— I have great difficulty in bringing him to a system of regularity in the keeping of the books; the business hitherto proceeds, with some difficulties anticipated and with others unexpected— The greatest are in his way of doing business— The business hitherto done has been rather encouraging; but is yet exceedingly precarious, as to the prospects of profit at the end of the year— My Son John went with him to arrange the book-keeping part of the concern, but did not yet accomplish it— Something was done to day. Something more is to be done to-morrow— General Mason came with a Mr Banks from the Island of Jamaica who brought me a Letter of Introduction from Genl. S. Smith of Baltimore, and a recommendation from sundry Merchants of New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore for the appointment of a person named Hitchins, a partner of this Mr Banks as Commercial Agent at Jamaica— I drafted a despatch to R. Rush, in answer to all his despatches relating to the proposals of G. Canning concerning South-America— At the Office— The President there— He appears to be still perplexed with the British Colonial Trade question— The arrangements concerning which had entirely escaped his memory— I referred him to my despatch to R. Rush N. 64. of which he has a copy, but which he has not read— The President thinks from the tenour of the despatches received yesterday from R. Rush, that Canning had changed his purpose— That he was less alarmed— That probably some inducements had been presented after the triumph of the French in Spain, to quiet his apprehensions— My own opinion is confirmed that the alarm was affected— That the object was to obtain by a sudden movement a premature commitment of the American Government; against any transfer of the Island of Cuba to France, or the acquisition of it by ourselves.— And failing in that point he has returned to the old Standard of British Belligerent Policy— I read to the President, and gave him my draft of a despatch to R. Rush— He desired me to write to Mr James Brown of Louisiana, and propose to him the Mission to France; and to Mr Larned of Rhode-Island, for the appointment of Secretary of Legation to Chili— Mr Addington called at the Office, and mentioned that he had private Letters from England confirming the accounts in the Newspapers, that British Consular Agents had been appointed to the various Ports of the South American Governments. I told him I had received further despatches from Mr Rush, in relation to his Negotiation with Mr Canning concerning South American affairs—that it had rested where it was. Mr Rush not 160feeling himself authorised to accede to Mr Canning’s proposals without a preliminary recognition by Great Britain, of the Independence of the South-American States, and the British Government not yet being prepared for that step— I said I could not readily imagine what could withhold Great-Britain from the formal recognition, when her measures all implied that it had been given and I added that earnestly desirous as we were of co-operating with Great-Britain, I saw no other basis for concerted operations than that. Addington said that he did not know what the motives could be— He thought it very probable, that before my Instructions could get out to Mr Rush, Great-Britain would have acknowledged some one or other of the South-American Governments as Independent— Perhaps as possessing Colonies herself; and especially as some of her Colonies appeared to be in a very bad and turbulent humour she might be less ready to acknowledge the Independence of other Colonies— Suppose for instance said he that the Island of Cuba, should take advantage of the present State of things, and declare itself Independent— The United States might have no objection to recognizing that Independence; but with Great-Britain having Colonies of her own it might be otherwise— I said that the question as to the Independence of Cuba, not having yet arisen; I saw no reason for anticipating it for the sake of argument— On the existing state of things, the basis for co-operation should be laid; and then, whatever Events time might bring forth, it would be easy to accommodate a concerted movement to them— At least I supposed Great-Britain must be prepared to say that in no Event should Cuba be transferred to France— Oh! certainly! said he— Baron Tuyll, the Russian Minister had written me this Morning a Note requesting an interview; and by appointment now came. I therefore deferred to a future day, further conversation with Mr Addington— The Baron Tuyll, came and read me a despatch from Count Nesselrode to him, and extracts from two others of 29 & 30 August and 2. Septr. last— The despatch was merely a statement that the Emperor Alexander was just leaving St. Petersburg for a tour of three Months for the Inspection of his troops. It appears to guard very anxiously against any suspicion that he intended by it any hostile movement— It was doubtless a circular chiefly destined for European Courts, and sent pro forma here— The first extract was an acknowledgment of the receipt of the Baron’s first despatches from hence— High expressions of satisfaction at his conduct here, at the reception he had met with; at the consent of this Government, to treat of the Northwest Coast question at St. Petersburg. Intimations that Sir Charles Bagot had also received Powers to treat concerning it on the part of Great-Britain; and that Mr Poletica was authorised to enter upon the Negotiation during Count Nesselrode’s absence, with the Emperor— The second extract was an exposition of principles, relating to the affairs of Spain and Portugal— In a tone of passionate exultation at the Counter-revolution in Portugal; and the impending success of the French army in Spain. Au Io Triumphe over the fallen cause of Revolutions with sturdy promises of determination to keep it down; disclaimers of all intention of making conquests; bitter complaints of being calumniated; and one paragraph of compunction, acknowledging that an Apology is yet due to mankind for the invasion of Spain, which it is in the power only of Ferdinand, to furnish by making his people happy— That paragraph is a satire upon all the rest of the paper. The Baron left the two extracts with me, to be shewn to the President. He assured me that he was perfectly satisfied with my answer to his last Note, which he had received this Morning; and he spoke with great kindness and good will towards us— I told him, I could assure him from the knowledge I had of the President’s sentiments that they reposed great personal confidence in him— He said he should always endeavour to deserve it.