[152] Rose to Canning, Feb. 16, 1808; MSS. British Archives.
[153] Rose to Canning, Feb. 17, 1808; MSS. British Archives.
[154] Rose to Canning, Feb. 27, 1808; MSS. British Archives.
[155] Madison to Rose, March 5, 1808; State Papers, iii. 214.
[156] Rose to Madison, March 17, 1808; State Papers, iii. 217.
[157] Rose to Canning, March 22, 1808; MSS. British Archives.
[158] Rose to Canning, March 22, 1808; MSS. British Archives. Cf. Madison to Pinckney, April 4, 1808; State Papers, iii. 221.
CHAPTER IX.
All winter Congress waited for the result of Rose’s negotiation. The huge majority, without leadership, split by divergent interests, a mere mob guided from the White House, showed little energy except for debate, and no genius except for obedience.
The first political effect of the embargo was shown in the increased virulence of debate. The Act of December 22, passed on the spur of the moment, was powerless to prevent evasions in the seaports, and left untouched the trade with Canada and Florida. A supplementary Act was necessary; but to warrant a law for stopping all commerce by sea and land, the Government could no longer profess a temporary purpose of protecting ships, merchandise, and seamen, but must admit the more or less permanent nature of the embargo, and the policy of using it as a means of peaceable coercion. The first Supplementary Act passed Congress as early as January 8, but applied only to coasting and fishing vessels, which were put under heavy bonds and threatened with excessive penalties in case of entering a foreign port or trading in foreign merchandise. Finding that this measure was not effective, and that neither England nor France showed a sign of relaxing the so-called system of retaliation, Government was obliged to complete its restrictions. February 11 the House instructed its Committee of Commerce to inquire what further legislation was necessary “to prevent the exportation of goods, wares, and merchandise of foreign or domestic growth or manufacture to any foreign port or place.” The committee instantly reported a bill; and as Rose’s negotiation broke down, February 19 the House went into committee to debate a second supplementary Embargo Act, which was to stop by land and sea all commerce with the world.