[Copy] [Encl. 8 April 1799] — 9 Jan.^y 1799. My^s dear Sir In consequence of our conversation relative to St. Domingo, I have, after discussing the subject with some of my colleagues, prepared the enclosed minute, which I send for your consideration, as the basis of an arrangement, which would, I think, provide equitably for the commercial interests of our two countries, as concerned in that business; and, what is infinitely more important, would afford as good Security, as the nature of things allows of, against the infinite dangers to which our Iflands and your Southern Provinces would be exposed from an unrestrained intercourse with St. Domingo in its present State. If you should be at leisure and could meet Mr. Pitt and Mr. Dundas here, to morrow morning, at eleven, half an hour's discussion might probably so far terminate the business as to enable us to write to America, and dispatch Colonel Grant. If you had any wish to see me earlier, I shall be at home. Rufus King Eq.^re &c &c &c Believe me D.^r F.^t Grenville. [address: General Grenville to Mr. King] --- Enclosure The whole trade of export and import with Toussaint's part of St. Domingo, to be confined to one port, viz. Port au Prince. The supply to be restricted, by agreement with Toussaint, and by compact between Great Britain and the United States, to a joint company, to be formed by the two governments, and to consist of British and American subjects. This company to be confined to furnish no manufactures but from the British territories, and no articles of produce or live stock but from America: To send the returns for the former in St. Domingo produce to Jamaica or Great Britain, and for the latter to the United States only. An agent on the part of this company to reside at the specified port, and to have, on the part of the company the exclusive conduct of the whole coasting trade, which he shall carry on by boats of the country, to a sufficient extent for the supply of the different parts of the Ifland under Toussaint's authority, and for bringing back their produce to Port au Prince. All British or American vessels, not belonging to the company, and all vessels belonging to France or any other power, or to any other in [underline: any part] of the Ifland of St. Domingo, and trading to or from any of its ports coastwise or otherwise, except those employed by the Agent of the company as above, and furnished with proper passports, to be liable to seizure; and Toussaint to engage on his part, to the utmost of his power to discourage and prevent all such trade. The exportation of blacks from St. Domingo to any other place, or of any other persons, without previous permission to that effect, or the carrying on any intercourse whatsoever between that Ifland and any other place except as above, to be prohibited under the severest penalties. Both powers to guarantee this arrangement to each other, and to agree that in case of its being violated on the part of Toussaint, with respect either to Great Britain or America, the whole shall be suspended, and neither the subjects of Great Britain nor America to be at liberty from thenceforth to carry on any trade there: and the present prohibition to continue as to the rest of the Ifland.