“The President’s speech was originally more warlike than was necessary; but I succeeded in getting it neutralized—this between us; but it was lucky, for Congress is certainly peaceably disposed.”[115]
The situation lay in these few words. Not only Congress but also the Government and people were peaceably disposed; and between the attitude of Congress and that of the President was but the difference that the former knew not what to do, while the latter had a fixed policy to impose. “I observe among the members,” wrote a non-partisan senator, “great embarrassment, alarm, anxiety, and confusion of mind, but no preparation for any measure of vigor, and an obvious strong disposition to yield all that Great Britain may require, to preserve peace under a thin external show of dignity and bravery.”[116] In such a state of minds, and with such a reserve of popular authority, President Jefferson’s power found no restraint.
FOOTNOTES:
[106] Macon to Nicholson, Dec. 2, 1807; Nicholson MSS.
[107] Pickering to Thomas Fitzsimons, Dec. 4, 1807; Pickering MSS.
[108] Diary of J. Q. Adams, May 23, 1824, vi. 348.
[109] Sir James Craig to Lieutenant-Governor Gore, Dec. 6, 1807; Colonial Correspondence, Canada, 1807, 1808, vol. i., MSS. British Archives.
[110] Jefferson to T. J. Randolph, Nov. 24, 1808; Works, v. 388.
[111] Turreau to Talleyrand, Sept. 4, 1807; Archives des Aff. Étr. MSS.
[112] Erskine to Canning, Sept. 1, 1807; MSS. British Archives.