Transcript: British Prime Minister, Henry Addington, to Sir Francis Baring, 16 December 1803
Downing Street
December 16th 1803
Dear Sir,
Having reflected very seriously on the subject of our conversation on Wednesday last, I am decidedly of opinion that, considering the peculiar circumstances of the present War with France, and the avow’d purpose of the enemy to employ all their resources with a view to their projected invasion of this Kingdom, His Majesty’s Government would not be justified in allowing any subjects of this Country to facilitate at this time such pecuniary arrangements as may subsist between other foreign powers, and the Government of France.
I have therefore to desire that you would decline being a party to any remittances to France on account of the debt due from the United States of America in consequence of the cession of Louisiana; and if there should be any sums of money on the continent destined by you to the liquidation of this debt, and you should have the means of withdrawing them, or of diverting them into other channels, I fully rely on your doing so.
There is no objection to your stating to your correspondents, as your justification, if you shall deem any justification necessary, that you have adopted this line of conduct in consequence of the direct interposition of His Majesty’s Government.
I have the Honor to be, with great Regard, Dear Sir,
your faithful, and obedient servant,
Henry Addington
Sir Francis Baring, Baronet
The Baring Archive Reference: NP1.A4.28