Adams and myself would
permit the chairman of the committee of American merchants to call on
us. He observed, that the same person happened to be also chairman of
the committee of the whole body of British merchants; and that such was
the respect paid to his person and office, that we might consider what
came from him, as coming from the committees themselves. He called on
us at an appointed hour. He was a Mr. Duncan Campbell, formerly much
concerned in the American trade. We entered on the subject of the
non-execution of the late treaty of peace, alleged on both sides.
We observed, that the refusal to deliver the western posts, and the
withdrawing American property, contrary to express stipulation, having
preceded what they considered as breaches on our part, were to be
considered as the causes of our proceedings. The obstructions thrown
by our legislatures in the way of the recovery of their debts, were
insisted on by him. We observed to him, that the great amount of the
debt from America to Great Britain, and the little circulating coin in
the formeer country, rendered an immediate payment impossible; that time
was necessary; that we had been authorized to enter into explanatory
arrangements on this subject; that we had made overtures for the
purpose, which had not been attended to, and that the States had,
therefore, been obliged to modify the article for themselves.
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