The Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, vol. 2 - Online Library of ...

Online Library of Liberty: The Diary and Letters of Gouverneur Morris, vol. 2
of the islands, and whoever may be the possessor, it must be his policy to convince us
that it is our interest he should continue in the possession. He says that his opinion
coincides perfectly with mine, and that he treated on that ground. I then tell him that
in my opinion all difficulties might be removed if, after designating the size of vessels
to be admitted, a further stipulation should be made of a maximum of export duty, the
amount within that limit to be fixed by the King. His Majesty’s ministers would then,
by their instructions to the governors, have it so fixed from time to time as to comport
with the wants of the colony and the interests of the British navigation, without any
reference to the colonial assemblies. He says he thinks something may be made out of
that idea. He says Lord Bute informs him from Madrid that Mr. Pinckney is on his
way back, having concluded a treaty of navigation (in which he supposes the affairs
of the Mississippi to be settled), and leaving the treaty of commerce for another year.
I tell him, as I did the King, that their fears prevent them from treating, whereas those
very apprehensions should have induced them to treat. He agrees in this idea, and
adds it is inconceivable how apprehensive they are. I tell him Mr. Pinckney has asked
his recall, and that I do not think it improbable that Mr. Adams may be appointed
minister here. As soon as the drawing-room is over I return home, change my dress,
eat a bit of cold meat, and go to the House of Commons. I am again disappointed in
not hearing Mr. Pitt speak. Stay till near three o’clock.”
“Go [December 5th] to a great City dinner, given to Mr. Hammond, and chance
places me next to Lord Grenville and Mr. Adams. This last is deeply tinctured with
suspicion, and sees design in everything. His mind has received early a wrong bias,
and I think will always go obliquely. Mr. Bayard asks if I will give my assistance in
the discussion of some questions arising here which regard the captures made. I
promise it freely. He tells me that in a late affair Lord Grenville gave a remarkable
proof of his candor. At our dinner, in the midst of the line of toasts he gave Mr. Jay,
which was received with great applause. This, I think, will prove injurious to him in
America, and mention that idea to Mr. Adams, who prims up, and, while his
countenance (in general, insipid) overflows with joyful expression, he is silent; then
says, ‘I don’t know,’ and then opens a little. From this I conjecture that his father and
Mr. Jay are at political variance. The shouts of applause which accompany the King
and Mr. Pitt as toasts show that the administration stands very strong in public.”
“Take up the Marquis de Spinola, and go to dinner at Count Woronzow’s at
Richmond [December 7th]. We have here a very good and a very sociable dinner. The
wine renders Spinola a little communicative. He tells me that Woronzow will never
stand well at this Court, because Pitt will not forgive him for foiling his attempts in
the Russian armament. He tells me why he stands well with Lady Sutherland. He tells
me that he thinks the government here would be pleased that I should be appointed
Minister, and in return I tell him why it would not suit me. I learn that Mr. Liston,
who is going out to America, is clever. The weather is nasty.”
“Dine with Count Staremberg [December 9th]. He and Woronzow are quite in air
about the King’s message declaring his disposition for peace. It seems to me to be a
thing of no consequence. After dinner Woronzow gives us the history of the three
partitions of Poland, in which, according to him, the Empress was led by a kind of
necessity. He thinks, and so, indeed, do I, that it is unwise in the Imperial Courts to
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