Washington, November 21, 1807.
Dear Sir,—Your favor of July 21st came to hand October 22d, with the letters and medals of General Washington, from Mr. Eccleston, and I now take the liberty of enclosing through you my acknowledgments to him. This tribute of respect to the first worthy of our country, is honorable to him who renders as to him who is the subject of it.
The world, as you justly observe, is truly in an awful state. Two nations of overgrown power are endeavoring to establish, the one an universal dominion by sea, the other by land. We naturally fear that which comes into immediate contact with us, leaving remoter dangers to the chapter of accidents. We are now in hourly expectation of hearing from our ministers in London, by the return of the Revenge. Whether she will bring us war or peace, or the middle state of non-intercourse, seems suspended in equal balance. With every wish for peace, permitted by the circumstances forced upon us, we look to war as equally probable. The crops of the present year have been great beyond example. The wheat sown for the ensuing year is in a great measure destroyed by the drought and the fly. A favorable winter and spring sometimes do wonders towards recovering unpromising grain; but nothing can make the next crop of wheat a good one.
The present aspect of our foreign relations has encouraged here a general spirit of encouragement to domestic manufacture. The Merino breed of sheep is well established with us, and fine samples of cloth are sent on from the north. Considerable manufactures of cotton are also commencing. Philadelphia, particularly, is becoming more manufacturing than commercial. I have heard nothing lately from your friends in Albemarle; but if all had not been well with them, I should have heard of it. I tender you my affectionate salutations, and assurances of constant friendship and respect.
TO MR. GALLATIN.
November 22, 1807.
The defence of Orleans against a land army can never be provided for, according to the principles of the Constitution, till we can get a sufficient militia here. I think therefore to get the enclosed bill brought forward again. Will you be so good as to make any alterations in it which the present state of the surveys may have rendered necessary, and any others you shall think for the better?
TO COLONEL MINOR.
Washington, November 25, 1807.
Dear Sir,—Your favor of the 23d came to hand last night, and I thank you for your attention to the letter to Mrs. Dangerfield, whose answer I have received. Perceiving that you are rendered unquiet by the impudent falsehoods with which the newspapers have tormented the public feelings lately, in a moment of extraordinary anxiety, I must assure you that these articles are all demonstrably false, that is to say, the information of about three or four weeks ago that the ministers on both sides had given out that all things were amicably arranged. That which followed a week after assuring us all negotiation was at an end, and war inevitable, that is to say, Capt. Doane's news, and what followed a few days ago of Bonaparte's pretended answer to queries, extending his decree to us, coming via Antwerp and Bordeaux. It is believed that the last was fabricated in Boston, to counteract the war-news from England there afloat. I have no doubt Monroe is coming home, and that he, as well as the Revenge, may be expected about the last of the month; and I think it possible he may be the bearer of propositions for a middle ground between us, modifying what we have deemed indispensable; consequently that there will be time still employed in these things crossing and re-crossing the Atlantic, during which peace may take place in Europe, which of course removes all ground of dispute between us till another war. As to the Chesapeake, there is no doubt they will make satisfaction of some sort. This is my present idea of the present state of things with that country, but founded as you will perceive on possibilities only and conjectures, which one week may ascertain. I salute you with great friendship and respect.