Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/267

Rh "Department of State, "July 18th, 1815. "Sir,

"It is represented that an expedition which had been sent by your government against the post of the United States established on Columbia River had succeeded in taking pos- session of it. By the first article of the Treaty of peace, it is stipulated that all territory, places, and possessions whatso- ever taken by either party from the other during the war, shall be restored without delay, with the exception only of the islands on Passamaquoddy Bay, which should remain in the possession of the party in whose occupation they then were, subject to the decision provided for in the 4th article. As the post on the Columbia river was taken during the war, and is not within the exception stipulated, the United States are of course entitled to its restitution; measures il therefore be taken to occupy it without delay. It is probable that your Government may have given orders for its restitution; to prevent, however, any difficulty on the subject, I have to re quest that you will have the goodness to furnish me with a letter to the British Commander there to that effect.

"I have the honor to be

&c., &c., &c,

James Monroe

"To Anthony St. John Baker, Esq.,

&c., &c., &c.

The next day Baker addressed the following letter to Lord Castlereagh.

"Washington, July 19, 1815.

"My Lord-

"Mr. Munroe having requested an interview with me at the Department of State, I accordingly waited upon him at the time appointed.

"He stated he was desirous of speaking to me upon one or two points, the first of which related to the establishment