Sir,—Your favor of the 17th has been duly received. I have long seen, and with very great regret, the schisms which have taken place among the republicans, and principally those of Pennsylvania and New York. As far as I have been able to judge, they have not been produced by any difference of political principle,—at least, any important difference, but by a difference of opinion as to persons. I determined from the first moment to take no part in them, and that the government should know nothing of any such differences. Accordingly, it has never been attended to in any appointment, or refusal of appointment. General Shee's personal merit, universally acknowledged, was the cause of his appointment as Indian Superintendent, and a subsequent discovery that his removal to this place (the indispensable residence of that officer), would be peculiarly unpleasant to him suggested his translation to another office, to solve the double difficulty. Rarely reading the controversial pieces between the different sections of republicans, I have not seen the piece in the Aurora, to which you allude; but I may with truth assure you, that no fact has come to my knowledge which has ever induced any doubt of your continued attachment to the true principles of republican government. I am thankful for the favorable sentiments you are so kind as to express towards me personally, and trust that an uniform pursuit of the principles and conduct which have procured, will continue to me an approbation, which I highly value.
I salute you with great esteem and respect.
TO GOVERNOR CABELL.
Washington, October 25, 1807.
Sir,—Your letters of the 21st and 22d are received, and I now return Captain Read's of the 18th. We conclude it unnecessary to call for another corps of militia, to relieve that now in service at Lynhaven. General Dearborn will write, and give the necessary directions for discharging, paying, &c. I suspect the departure of the British armed vessels from our waters, is in consequence of orders from their government to respect the proclamation. If Congress should approve our ideas of defensive works for the several harbors of the United States, there will be a regular fort at the mouth of Lynhaven river, to protect such a number of gun-boats to be stationed there as will, in case of war, render it too dangerous to any armed vessel to enter the bay; and thus to protect the bay and all its waters at its mouth. I salute you with great esteem and respect.
TO THE SECRETARY AT WAR.
Washington, October 27, 1807.
Dear Sir,—I have reflected on the case of the embodying of the militia in Ohio, and think the respect we owe to the State may overweigh the disapprobation so justly due to the conduct of their Governor pro tem. They certainly had great merit, and have acquired a very general favor through the Union, for the early and vigorous blows by which they crushed the insurrection of Burr. We have now again to appeal to their patriotism and public spirit in the same case; and should there be war, they are our bulwark in the most prominent point of assault from the Indians. Their good will and affection, therefore, should be conciliated by all justifiable means. If we suffer the question of paying the militia embodied to be thrown on their Legislature, it will excite acrimonious debate in that body, and they will spread the same dissatisfaction among their constituents, and finally it will be forced back on us through Congress. Would it not, therefore, be better to say to Mr. Kirker, that the general government is fully aware that emergencies which appertain to them will sometimes arise so suddenly as not to give time for consulting them, before the State must get into action; that the expenses in such cases, incurred on reasonable grounds, will be met by the general government; and that in the present case, although it appears there was no real ground for embodying the militia, and that more certain measures for ascertaining the truth should have been taken before embodying them, yet an unwillingness to damp the public spirit of your countrymen, and the justice due to the individuals who came forward in defence of their country, and who could not know the grounds on which they were called, have determined us to consider the call as justifiable, and to defray the expenses. This is submitted to you for consideration. Affectionate salutations.
TO MR. GALLATIN.
October 28, 1807.