TO MR. GALLATIN.
Monticello, August 11, 1808.
Dear Sir,—Your letters of July 29th and August 5th, came to hand yesterday, and I now return you those of Wynne, Wolsey, Quincy, Otis, Lincoln, and Dearborne. This embargo law is certainly the most embarrassing one we have ever had to execute. I did not expect a crop of so sudden and rank growth of fraud and open opposition by force could have grown up in the United States. I am satisfied with you that if orders and decrees are not repealed, and a continuance of the embargo is preferred to war, (which sentiment is universal here), Congress must legalize all means which may be necessary to obtain its end. Mr. Smith, in enclosing to me General Dearborne's and Lincoln's letters, informs me that immediately on receiving them he gave the necessary orders to the Chesapeake, the Wasp and Argus. Still I shall pass this letter and those it encloses, through his hands for information. I am clearly of opinion this law ought to be enforced at any expense, which may not exceed our appropriation. I approve of the instructions to General Lincoln, for selling the revenue cutter there and buying another, and also of what you propose at New London and Portsmouth, and generally I wish you to do as to the revenue cutters what you shall think best, without delaying it to hear from me. You possess the details so much better than I do, and are so much nearer the principal scenes, that my approbation can be but matter of form. As to ordering out militia, you know the difficulty without another proclamation. I advise Mr. Madison to inform General Turreau that the vessels we allow to the foreign ministers are only in the character of transports, and that they cannot be allowed but where the number of persons bears the proportion to the vessel which is usual with transports. You will see by my last that on learning the situation of affairs in Spain, it had occurred to me that it might produce a favorable occasion of doing ourselves justice in the south. We must certainly so dispose of our southern recruits and armed vessels as to be ready for the occasion. A letter of June 5th from Mr. Pinckney says nothing more than that in a few days he was to have a full conference on our affairs with Mr. Canning. That will doubtless produce us immediately an interesting letter from him. I salute you affectionately.
P. S. I this day direct a commission for General Steele, vice General Shee, deceased.