HC Deb 28 April 1812 vol 22 cc1112-3
Mr. Whitbread,

referring to the accounts just received by the. American papers, of Mr. Madison's Message to Congress, relative to an authorised agent being employed by the British government to foment the separation of the Eastern State from the Union, and ascertain the sentiments of the people of Boston on that topic, wished to ask the noble lord opposite, if he avowed the authenticity of the letter stating this fact, or-knew of such agent so authorised?

Lord Castlereagh

replied, that, in his opinion, this matter bad been very unfairly brought forward by the American. government. He thanked the hon. gentleman for affording him this opportunity for explanation, and begged, on the part of the British government, to disclaim, most explicitly and peremptorily, having encouraged any disposition of the kind alluded to. It was true, that an agent had been employed by sir James Craig, without the privity of the government, who only heard of that circumstance in the dispatch—announcing, at the same time, that he had been recalled, on the appearance of a pacific understanding being come to between the countries—having only been sent for the sole purpose of receiving information necessary to the commander of a province threatened with invasion.

Mr. Whitbread

read a passage from a letter dated 26th Feb. 1809, mentioning the separation of the Union, and wished to know on its being communicated to government, what steps were consequently taken?

Lord Castlereagh

was not prepared to say that any blame had been attached to sir J. Craig. All that he had directed the agent to ascertain was, the temper of the States near that which he had to defend: and that he had no other objects but defence in view, was clear, from his immediately recalling the person when the apprehension of invasion was over.

Mr. Whitbread

said, he was not at all satisfied with this answer, and would be glad to know if government would produce the correspondence with sir James Craig, if moved for?

Mr. Ponsonby

also referred to a letter from Mr. Ryeland, to the agent, Henry, in which he proposed to furnish him with a cypher, in which to carry on his correspondence, and authorized him to meet any leading men on the subject of the separation, if they shewed a disposition to come under the protection of the British government. He was desirous of information on this subject.

Lord Castlereagh

said, he had not found this letter among sir J. Craig's correspondence.

Mr. Whitbread

then gave notice of a motion for the production of these papers to-morrow.