To James Madison from William Pinkney, 9 May 1808

I had a Conversation with Mr. Canning on [Fri]day last, in Consequence of the Arrival of the Osage. As it was obviously expected that I should seek [an] Interview with him, I went to Downing Street on the [5]th. with that Object. He had been indisposed, and [wa]s not at the office; but, in Answer to a Note which [I] sent him in the Evening, he asked to see me next [Day] at his House in Bruton Street.

The Osage had for some Time been looked [for] with considerable Anxiety, and the Government [ha]d apparently anticipated a Communication (and [per]haps a Proposal) of some Importance from me, [as] soon as my Dispatches should be received. [A]s I had in Fact no Communication to make, [it] seemed to be proper that I should render the [dis]appointment of as little Moment as possible by the [ma]nner of announcing it, without however, putting [any] Thing to Hazard by an indiscreet Manifestation [of] unnecesssary Solicitude.

The little which I supposed it requisite [to] say on this occasion appeared to be very well [rec]eived; and, if any disagreeable Impression was [mad]e on the Mind of Mr. Cannning, it certainly was not [visi]ble. A Feeling of Regret was perhaps percept[ibl]e, and a Hope was intimated that the Time was [not] far distant when I should be enabled to do what [at] present was out of my Power; but nothing occurred [whi]ch could be construed into a Symptom of Impatience, Jealousy, or Dissatisfaction. There [was] undoubtedly, no real Ground for any Thing of this [kind] but it was, notwithstanding, quite possible that the Importance which it had become a Habit to [attach] to the Arrival of the Osage, from Circumstances p[rincipally] accidental, might have produced a Disposition [to think] otherwise.

I thought it adviseable to make Use [of] this opportunity (although the Topic was in man[y] Views more delicate than it had been) to su[ggest] the Propriety of yielding, as the Moment was favorable to such a Course, upon the Sub[ject] of the late Orders in Council, of which I had [seen] nothing to change my original Opinion. [There] was Reason to apprehend, however, that it migh[t be] worse than useless to press the Suggestion, up[on] my own Authority merely, while I could say nothing of the French Decrees: and accord[ingly] I forbore to do so.

An Idea has evidently gone forth, [since] the Osage arrived, founded upon Rumour[s of] a doubtful Description, that our Relations [with] France have grown to be extremely precar[ious,] and that we are consequently about to [come] to an Understanding of a very friendly kind [with] Great Britain. It is not improbable that [the] Government has, in some Degree at least, [adopted] this Idea.

I have the Honor to enclose a Copy of a [Noti]fication, recently received from Mr. Canning, [of] the Blockade of Copenhagen & of the other Ports [in] the Island of Zealand, which I have caused [to] be Communicated in the usual Manner [to o]ur Consuls & Citizens.

In Consequence of a Misapprehension of a [subo]rdinate Revenue officer at Falmouth, [som]e of the Stores of the Osage were seized [as] a Forfeiture soon after she anchored [in] that Port. I made this Impropriety the [Subj]ect of an immediate Application to the [Gove]rnment, and it will doubtless be promptly redressed.

There being no particular Inducement [for] detaining the Osage, Lieutenant Lewis, [who] will be charged with my Letters, will [leav]e Town the Day after Tomorrow; and [the] Ship will sail as soon after he reaches [Fal]mouth as possible. I have the Honor to be with sincere Esteem and perfect Consideration, Sir, your Most Obedient humble Servant,