[The first paper enclosed was the "Independent American" of November
21, containing a copy of the "Circular." The second was a piece cut out
of a London newspaper.]
The circular is as follows:
WASHINGTON, _November 13, 1809_.
(_Circular_.)
SIR: I have to inform you, with much regret, that the
facts which it has been my duty to state in my official
correspondence with Mr. Smith, have been deemed by the
President of the United States to afford a sufficient motive
for breaking off an important negotiation, and for putting
an end to all communication whatever with me as the Minister
charged with that negotiation, so interesting to both nations,
and on one most material point of which an answer has not
even been returned to an official and written overture. One
of the facts alluded to has been admitted by the Secretary
of State himself, in his letter to me of the 19th October,
viz: that the three conditions forming the substance of Mr.
Erskine's original instructions were submitted to him by that
gentleman; the other, viz: that that instruction is the only
one in which the conditions were prescribed to Mr. Erskine for
the conclusion of an arrangement on the matter to which it
related, is known to me by the instructions which I have myself
received. In stating these facts, and in adhering to them, as
my duty imperiously enjoined me to do, in order to repel the
frequent charges of ill faith which have been made against His
Majesty's Government, I could not imagine that offence would
be taken at it by the American Government, as most certainly
none could be intended on my part; and this view of the subject
has been made known to Mr. Smith. But, as I am informed by
him, that no farther communication will be received from me, I
conceive that I have no alternative left, which is consistent
with the King's dignity, but to withdraw altogether from this
city, and to wait elsewhere the arrival of His Majesty's
commands upon the unlooked-for turn which has thus been given
to his affairs in this country. I mean in the interval to make
New York the place of my residence, where you will henceforward
please to direct your communications to me, as I shall be
accompanied by every member of His Majesty's mission.