Collection of 4 items in an unidentified secretarial hand, London, 1791

Collection of 4 items in an unidentified secretarial hand, London, 1791

London 1791

4 items on 2 leaves ; 33 cm. (fol.)

MSS L1992.1.91

Item [3]: W.J. Smith, London, April 6, 1791 to William Pulteney writing that he has been informed that "gentlemen at the head of the administration of this country are very desirous of seeing me as they are investigating hose points which may promote a friendly intercourse getween Great Britain and the United States ...."|Item [3] (con'td.): Smith emphasizes that he is a private citizen and intends to sail on the April packet as planned but suggests that if the packet were detained "until the object they have in view is answered and until my arrival at Falmouth, no arrangement of mind shall interfere with their wishes."|Item [4]: Lord Grenville, memorandum, Whithall, April 1791 to William Pulteney: "Lord Grenville ... has the nor of acquainting him that he has given directions for the detention of the packet till Col. Smith's arrival at Falmouth|Smith was the son-in-law of President John Adams, and though under George Washington had been an official of the legation in London, he was no longer an official in 1791.|Smith was an original member of the New York State Society of the Cincinnati.|James Grenville was a member of the Privy Council and a member of the Board of Trade under Pitt from 1784-1825. Dundas was also a member of the Board of Trade at the time.|Letters and memoranda apparently concern the United States' informal efforts to explore the possibility of a commercial treaty with Great Britain.

Item [1]: Grenville L.S. St. James's Square, April 6, 1791 to Wm. Pulteney mentions his wish to "coversing with Col.o Smith respecting the present situation of affairs between this country and the United States" but "it does not fall within the dutties of my department to conduct or direct the details of any negotiations ...."
Item [2]: April 4 1791: "Mr. Colquhoun begs leave to inform Mr. Dundas ... that Col. Smith has fixed positively to return to America on Tuesday" and is concerned that an "opportunity extremely critical may be lost by the delay ...."

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