HISTORY

OF

THE

OF AMERICA

STATES

UNITED

DURING

THE

SECOND

THOMAS

ADMINISTRATION

OF

JEFFERSON

BY

ADAMS

HENRY

VOL.

NEW
CHARLES

I.

YORK

SCRIBNER'S

1890

SONS

1890
Copyright,
BY

CHARLES

SCRIBNER'S

SONS.

-I

#32.

JOHN

WILSON

AND

SON, CAMBRIDGE.

VOL.

OF

CONTENTS

I.

PAGE

CHAPTER

I.

INTERNAL

IMPROVEMENT

II.

MONROE'S

DIPLOMACY

CABINET

VACILLATIONS

III.

22

54
.

IV.

FRANCE

BETWEEN

AND

80

ENGLAND
....

THE

FLORIDA

VI.

THE

TWO-MILLION

VII.

JOHN

103

MESSAGE

V.

126

ACT

147

SCHISM

RANDOLPH'S

VIII.

IX.

MADISON'S

BURR'S

XI.

BURR'S

172

ENEMIES

DOMESTIC

X.

....

197

AFFAIRS

219

SCHEMES

245

PREPARATIONS
........

XII.

ESCAPE

XIII.

CLAIBORNE

XIV.

COLLAPSE

XV.

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

295

THE

CONSPIRACY

1806-1807

OF

BERLIN

MONROE'S

268

MASSAC

WILKINSON

AND

OF

SESSION

THE

FORT

PAST

344

DECREE

370

TREATY

REJECTION

OF

392

MONROE'S

TREATY

415
....

XIX.

BURR'S

TRIAL

441

OF

HISTORY

UNITED

THE

I.

CHAPTER

of

delivered
that

neither

triumph

of

New

The

the

over

and

by

the

part

it

and

the

roused

which

greeted

intended

was

principles

of

Inaugural

applause

voice

part

any

he

more

low

so

the

at

procession

once

in

"

second

nor

in

first, although

heard

was

bitterness

the

of

as

vanishing

cry

power

England.
Jefferson's

Among
curious

which

the

The

loftiness

of

III.

task

thought

Diary
"

of
1

the

guide

J.

government

in

that

Q. Adams

report

recall

deserved

of

the

should

and

ideas

declared

Inaugural

second

principles,

reached.

VOL.

to

were

hands,
these

first

preserved

the

explaining

the

As

he

manuscripts

memorandum

address.

of

it

auditory."

crowded

the

of

half

by

address,

inaugural

an

not

citizens

other

and

militia-men

appeared

formalities

due

with

escorted

Capitol,

Jefferson

President

time

SECOND

STATES.

the

all

the

philosophy
(March

the

results

lican
Repubsuccess

already

command

4, 1805), i. 373.

this

ples
princi-

eloquence
could

and
;

pronounce

their

renewed.

The

of

his followers

leading

the

was

success

of

Moses

world's

their

1.

the

doctrines
could

he

democracy,
into

and

eyes,

his
that

one

Cn

polityvictorious

reaffirm

him

privilegeof hearing

STATES.

democratic

respectable in

and

home

at

made

had

for Jefferson

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

and
be

never

had

the

promised

and

glory
quered
con-

Canaan.

foreign policy:

soundly calculated,
that

just nation

had

to

will

wars

asserted, that

its

and

to

taken

its word

on

of the
had

which

questions
a

to

bridle

his

witness

Without

already

become

but

in

is

find

the

just

nation

was

been

still

fact,

the

dwelling
of

redemption

ferson's
Jefin

which

the

taken
more

actual

interest
to

was

tion
condi-

this

on

on

plexed
per-

unjust, which

in

one

of

themselves

Cabinet, Jefferson, passing

involved

fact

recourse

many

asked

other

any

the

to

when

from

others."

nation, just or

by

interests,

our

inseparable

word,

have

must

world.

of his

councils

they
the

name

its

could

President

word;

on

have

must

history they

found

excellent

were

followers
what

be

history bears

and

sentiments

individuals,

ever

is taken

armaments

The

with

as

; and

duties

moral

professions of

"

nations,

"With

our

the

began by renewing

Jefferson

topic,
in

the

practical

of debt, advanced

idea.

new

"Redemption
thereby
States

liberated

and
be

once

may,

effected," he

by

corresponding

applied, in

time

said,

"the

revenue

just repartition among

amendment

of peace,

to

of

the

the

tion,
Constitu-

rivers, canals, roads,

INTERNAL

1805.

others,

or
as

State.

each

the

same

the

be

aided

past.

War

works,

and
of

progress

Ten

denounced

the

sentiment

by

had
wonder

might
what

had

imperialism
annual

fund

the
of

States
the

only

for

of

future

debts

of

of

the

useful

return

peace

the

to

"

an

and

to

assume

to

of

stride

to

in

public works,

putting
instrument

was

the
of

order

to

for

Northern

the

to

hands

to

far

Roman
advise

create

the

of

the

a
an

cation,
edu-

people

distributed

corruption,and

or

dolph
Ran-

arts, for
as

be

first

and

as

him

stipendiariesof Congress.

Republican party, past

his

fast

hear

manufactures

in

from

John

denounced

ever

which

for

principle,his

so

been

That

powers

part

him

see

generally

gratify the

to

ington,
Wash-

designs.

; but

to

fund

been

already proved

for such
a

of President

also

but

Constitution

for

States,thus

government

the

have

corruption;

even

might want,
the

and
the

and

of

and

expenses

suspension

concessions

many

Administration

of

the

rights

monarchical

government,

State-rightsassociates

change

all

the

on

mouth

willing not

was

central

toward

increased

"

reserved

year

would
of

proof

as

democrats

war,

selves
our-

by population

with

but
state

earlier,in

this

the

to

injustice, by

improvement."

years

Jefferson

the

objects

great

resources

them

be

then

return

other

encroaching

will

if

"

produce

within

generations by burdening

other

increased

by

meet

without

year

war,

sometimes
will

and

of

time

must

crisis,it may

that
of

In

revenue

consumption,

and

education,

arts, manufactures,
within

IMPROVEMENT.

to

central

making

Every principle
come,

was

put

to

nought by

first annual

of Jefferson's
will
principles

fellow-citizens

our

happen

to

know

we

not

timent
sen-

industryof

treasure

for

which

might

when, and

wars

not

the

temptations offered by
pregnant as this new
principle

Yet

treasure."

the

1.

Sound

"

message

accumulate

but from

perhaps happen
that

to

CH.

the famous

taxing

justifyour

not

STATES.

contradicted

policywhich

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

might be in connection with the Constitution and the

ling.
startmore
Union, its bearing on foreign affairs was
Jefferson,the apostleof peace, asked for a war
enable

should

which

fund

his

to

government

wage

indefinite hostilities without

borrowing money ! His

of conquests !
mind
dwelt on the possibility
Quitting this dangerous ground, the President
followed a
purchase. Then
spoke of the Louisiana
to the subject
paragraph upon religion. Next he came
Indians, and

of the

written

memorandum
the
Indian

"

friend

philosophy
they

led

him

to

philanthropyto disguisean

Every respecter

every

explain

to

that

reasons

with

if

this

unusual

medium

enforcing favorite philosophicaldoctrines.

for

"

chose

and

would

the

the

rightsof

overborne,
recover

advance

of the

occasion

some
justified

the

attack

politicalreformation,

to

be

use

address

clared
de-

mask

of
servatism.
con-

upon

science," said this memorandum,

indignation

would

despotism

of

his

The

the

hue-aud-cry
man

and

; and

it

must

have

raised

served
ob-

against

reallyseems

as

barbarism, bigotry, and

ground they have

public understanding.
discountenance

I have
of these

by

the

thought

the

lost

anti-social

INTERNAL

1305.

doctrines,

best

in

admits

warfare

direct

say what

to

but

testimony against them

some

myself

is

inference

by

seemed

Europe

Ages

Middle

of

method

Jefferson's

included

the President

to his

the

commiseration

the

faculties

love

and

which

directed

march

If the

Boston

their

they had
he
to

had
teach

in order
claim

done
the

independence,
but

desire

no

homily

these

England.

countries," said

I have

"

which

regarded

with

and
to

be

rhetoric,this

other

not
sentence

; but

in

emotions.

agricultureand

them

for

not

themselves

try
coun-

the

regions

new

"

also
met

was
a

few
He

other

conditions

honorable
with

of ridiculing

weary

humanity required,and

Indians

undisturbed,

from

were

to feel other

what

occupying

shores."

newspapers

to prepare

the Indians

the

historyinspires. Endowed, with

rights of men, breathing an ardent

only true, but

Unfortunatelythese attempts
a

the

warfare

direct

of New

of

jaded amusement

reason

of

despotism of

to

the churches

these

on

Jefferson's
rouse

the

Pitt,

hardly dignified

overflowing population

itself

only,

bearing testimony against the

great audience,

the

left them
of

stream

Indians

their

libertyand

of

it

thought

back

occasion

aboriginal inhabitants

"The

mit
com-

and

danger,by not committing himself

upon it,but by applying to Indians
by inference

to

Napoleon

bigotryand

this

but

the

to

turning

on

the

renewing

and

time

bent

of

lead

the

not

general extension."

more

; but

them, I have

on

directlyapplied

truth, under

In

IMPROVEMENT.

fitted to
moments

said that
had

tried

industries
of

life,

to

"

him.

obstacles from

'They

combated

are

and

interested

of

inculcate

persons

their

of

and

its

under

advance

to

duty

remain

is to

as

being safety, and

good

of

find

all their
the

faculties

duty

of

to

made

dread

improving

did

toms
cus-

must

guide,

In

danger.
action

in

and

their

short,

action
counter-

have

too

their

keeping things
and

ascendency
and

reason

our

the

; that

reformation,
the

maintain

These

false

of

them, ignorance

interest

an

them,

physical,moral,

bigotry ; they

present state, who

in their

their

the

seen

and

sense

who
anti-philosophers,

over

is

them

they
is

full of

knowledge

friends, among

my

for

reason

Creator

their

ence
influ-

other.

any

perilous innovation

is

politicalcondition,

or

the

present order

whatsoever

counsel, in

3.

bodies,

among

reverence

; that

all time

through

done

be

in

nothing
; that

ancestors

the

in

sanctimonious

their

individuals

crafty

to become

fear

things, and

of

Cn.

ignorance, pride, and

something

feel themselves

who

habits

the

by

their minds,

prejudice of

STATES.

UXITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

exert

of

habit

obeying

its

mandates."

Gallatin
to

New

resist the

than
the
and

habits

England

once

sense
Gallatin,whose
that of Jefferson, must

blankets

of

New
the

President

the

temptation to strike

travesty of

againstthis allusion

in vain

remonstrated

England
Choctaws

and

serious

was

that

the

people of Massachusetts

were

held

in darkness

and

that
1

he

more

was

old

the

not
mies.
ene-

keener

amused

been

under

Jefferson

never

his

more

of humor
have

could

by

war-paint

Kickapoos ; but
than
in believing
and

Connecticut

men,"
medicineby a few interested
could, without committing him-

Gallatin's

"

Writings,i. 227.

INTERNAL

1805.

IMPROVEMENT.

self in direct warfare, insult the

squirarchyof

keen-witted
"

"

inference

by

New

the world

the

as

equivalent to

so

savages.

many

The

of

rest

Inaugural

stronglyin regard to

himself

and

hinted

even

of libel

the State laws

he

the

it

that

Jefferson

that he would

appliedto punish
had

let

us

them

of their fellow-citizens.
cherish

them

justice,and

with

to

see

disregarded as

"

mass

glad

ceived,
re-

cess,
politicalsuc-

He
political
urged doubting
weapon.
and
give up their fears and prejudices,
the

had

the offenders ;

no

might safelybe

he

be

to

expressed

the slanders

that slander

pointed out

and

chieflydevoted

was

its licentiousness.

the press and

but

to

clergy,lawyers,and
England, thus held up

"

brethren

to

joinwith

to

In the

"

mean

patientaffection

let

time
do

us

than

in all compejustice,
titions
of interest."
Finally,as though to silence
the New-England pulpit,he closed with a few words
the clergy might perhaps think
which
misplaced in

"

of

mouth

the

that

Israel

all the

with

earnest

in whose

Being
as

so

more

of

deist,

hands

we

old,"

necessaries

to

and

invocation

an

"

are, who

the

"

led

our

of

fathers,
fore-

country flowing

comforts

of

life,
.

and
in

to

goodness

I ask

you

to

join with

me

supplications."
The

in the

of

whose

Second

path

of

Inaugural

strode

democracy,

away

far

from

beyond
the

the

first

landmarks

Virginiarepublicanism,betraying what Jefferson's

friends and
enemies
alike
thought a craving for
led him
to
popularity. If this instinct sometimes

HISTORY

UNITED

THE

OF

STATES.

CH.

1.

asserted,and which
forget principleshe had once
he would
some
day again declare vital,the quality
to cover
amiable
shortcomings ; but
as
so
was
many
its influence

national

on

of his

end

the

reach

to

next

Heath

General

to

of 1804, which
Massachusetts

is

This

brother

truly

the

It is but

is found.'

Massachusetts

now

too

by committing
subsiding ;
and
be

us

peace

; and

abroad

if

true

while

our

smoothing

our

till

war

with

respect

preserve

this

citizens,whom

principles,I

and

in the

shall

we

seek

we

With

France

it.

in the

most

always
Other

be

we

shall

of
found

hope yet

All

will
itself
now

home

and

prosperitymay
leave

we

ing
noth-

us

in cordial

are

ing
perfect understand-

bickering,but

nations

view

Should

enjoy the

our

we

and

divided, rallyto
to

member

practice of justice

public happiness,
so

be

not

all is

at

shall

England

friendlyanxiety.

state

path

and
tranquillity

our

; but

ocean

wanting

not

could

century opened

boisterous

our

lost,and

was

affection.

new

is

and

This

'

say,

Union

morbid

abroad.

from

of

congratulations

respectable

so

are

in

"

may

that

The

moderation,

fear

tion
elec-

autumn

electoral vote

again ;

on

we

friendship; with
Spain
; with
at

we

preserved until increasingnumbers

to

ten
writ-

into the fold of the Union.

under

was

rights.

to

come

he,

is alive

pronounced entirelysound
as

said

wherein

case

dead, and

was

disaster.

"

of Massachusetts

the return

"

letter

the

the

him

gave

sincerelyjoin you,"

"I

after

soon

desire,

without

term

puted.
dis-

be

not

last

one

frankly expressed this feelingin

He

on

but

cherished

Jefferson

could

growth

be
to

their

comfort

never
course

able
see

to
our

genuine
of

that

and

to

sing

at

dimtttis,Domine,

with

me,

could

He
want
a

the

but

desire

of

share

last

been

has

generalgood-willwhich
from

so

close

the

unfeelinglywrested

of

great

to

audit."

impatience to

Niinc

leaving nothing

England clergytheir

New

feelingin wresting from him

and
of the general good-will,

with

the

term

my

satisfaction

forgivethe

not

IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL

1805.

ever

looked

he

ward
for-

he should

when

the moment

small

so

ber,
enjoy universal applause and respect. In Decemdent
this letter was
written,he felt confi1804, when
last unchecked
that his splendid triumph would
the prize of
of his public career
to the end
; but
almost
then
which
seemed
general good-will,
won,
ber,
The election of Novemcontinuallyeluded his grasp.
followed
1804, was
by the session of 1804-1805,
and betrayed
in Virginia,
which stirred bad blood even
a

spiritof

faction

of

At

Massachusetts.

Strong as
Even

Leib

set

and

governor,

friends

to

up

majority in

with

McKean,
the

Jefferson

Jefferson to General

few

weeks

by

35,200 against
the

among

of their

Jefferson's

own

Dallas,and

Federalists
balanced

Legislature.

of 1805

in the autumn

candidate

forced

unite

elect McKean.
1

of about

vote

Pennsylvania divisions

in

increased,until
and

Federalist

its mixture

April election the Federalists

November, and re-elected Caleb

by

governor

33,800,with

augural
In-

the

the result of

reversed

within

answered

was
bitter-sweet,

with

March, 1805,

of

Address

His

his oldest friends.

among

lowers
fol-

Duane

choice

for

Gallatin's

in order

to

re-

anxiouslybetween

Heath, Dec. 13, 1804;

Jefferson

MSS.

10

Randolph,

John
the

drew

nor

of moderate

mass

STATES.

UNITED

warring factions,tryingto

these
nor

THE

OF

HISTORY

even

CH.

offend

neither

Burr,

while

Federalists

to

1.

Duane
he

still

sympathize

in his views.
the

Thus

Presidential

new

it little sign of

with

continued,

were

with

Cabinet

and

Robert

; but

Smith

asked

some

request and

one

old

arrangements

exception. Madison,

to be

from

transferred

the

hesitation

Attorney-General'soffice.1
Jefferson yielded to Smith's

consented

to

to

Navy Department
After

but

The

in
remained
Smith, and Dearborn
Attorney-GeneralLincoln resigned,

Gallatin,Robert
the

change.

began, bringing

term

the

the

transfer.

As

Smith's

in the

Navy Department Jefferson selected

Jacob
of Congress from
Crowninshield, a member
inshield,
Massachusetts,who was then at Washington. Crownin consequence
of his wife's objectionto
Jan. 29, 1805,2
leaving her family,declined the offer,
successor

but

the

to the

Robert

President

nevertheless

Senate, March
Smith,

"

now

sent

the

nomination

2, 1805, together with

Secretary of

the

Navy

that

of

to

be

Attorney-Generalof the United States." The same

day the Senate confirmed both appointments,and the
commissions
were
regularlyissued,March 3, Robert
Smith
to possess
apparently ceasing thenceforward
the Navy Department.
any legalauthorityover
Nevertheless
Crowninshield
persistedin declining
"

Jefferson to Robert

Crowninshield

State

Department

to

Smith, Jan. 3, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

Jefferson,Jan. 29, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

Archives.

Secretary of
old

for

June

He

declined.

Mason,

Thompson
Jefferson

length

he

general,and
issued

him

the verbal

consented

offered

act

as

request
to retain

who

also

attorney-generalunder

and

Robert

Smith,

Navy

authority.
to

the

which

tucky,
Ken-

attorneythe

was

same

Dec.

2, 1805, Breckenridge
temporary commission,

had

ceased

confirmation

20, 1805, the

Senate

making

occurred

had

been

named."
respectively

to

of

President

granted

"

Secretary
apparent

no

sent

for

nominations

during
One

be

his successor,

secretaryunder

acting as

had

commissions

who

the

on

3, was

office of

7,

him.

was

March

the

accept

John

August

Breckinridge of

Congress met, Dec.

When

of the

declined.

Senator
to

it,July 14, to

temporary commission

to

then

to

wrote

asking
day

At

to

positionpermanently, and Jefferson sought

new
attorney-general. He offered the post,
15, to John Julius Pringle of South Carolina,

his

who

continued

Navy, probably by

the

President.

of the

Smith

Robert

office,and

the

11

IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL

1805.

the recess,

persons

sage
mes-

cies
vacan-

for which

to the persons

of these

was

herein
John

of

Kentucky to be Attorney-General
of the United
was
States,and the nomination
duly
confirmed.
commission
Breckenridge's permanent
Breckinridge

bore

date

These
that

dates

Robert

of the
be

Jan.

17, 1806.
and

facts

Smith,

who

were

had

for the

curious
ceased

to

3, 1805, ceased
Navy, March
attorney-general on the confirmation

reason

Secretary
necessarilyto
be

of Breckin-

12

THE

OF

HISTORY

ridge,and continued
without
authority of
his

send

either

commission

to .act

The

CH.

the

President
issue

Senate, or

permanent

official records of the

STATES.

Secretaryof

as

law.

to the

name

UNITED

to

Department

Crowninshield

of

not
new

On

temporary.

or

Navy

did

him

1.

the

State,not Robert

Secretaryof the
3, 1805, till March
7, 1809, when
Navy from March
his successor
inshield
was
appointed,although Jacob Crowndied April 15, 1808, and Robert
Smith never
ceased to act as Secretaryof the Navy from
his appointme
in 1801
to his appointment as
Secretary
of State in 1809.
ferson's
During the whole period of Jefsecond
his Secretaryof the
administration,
authorityexcept the verbal
Navy acted by no known
request or permissionof the President,
In perfectquiet,disturbed
of wars
only by rumors
to summer,
summer
abroad, spring crept forward
Peace was
restored with Tripoli
ripenedto autumn.
;
Smith

but

commerce

Jacob

000 ; the

Treasury

of
diffused
and

check

itself
the

future increase.

the

apace;

grew

to

was

revenue

near

rose

surfeit ;

immense

the

through

was

every

President
In 1804

he had

sign

no

peared
ap-

prosperitywhich

rivulet

could

to $ 14,000,-

see

sent

in
no

out

the
limit

ness,
wilderto

its

expedition
explore the
an

Lewis
to
Captain Meriwether
Louisiana
of the Missouri
purchase along the course
River.
May 14, 1804, Lewis and his party began
their journey from
St. Louis, and
without
serious
reached
the
Mandan
dred
difficulty
towns, sixteen hununder

and

nine

miles

from

the

startingpoint,where,

1, 1804,they

Nov.

sending
This

the

had

only of

told

tribes

and

Sioux

of the

had

to

In

rivers.

restless and
the

prove

government

line of the

contributions

such

derous
mur-

sity
immen-

people. Other

begun along the

been

Washita

the

Jefferson's

which

American

the

to

by

it served

world

quarters. April 8,

journey to the westward,

wanderings to Washington.
vast region inhabited
a
by

disturbed

but

new

given

his

of his

report

report

Indian

into winter

went

resumed

Lewis

1805,

13

IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL

1805.

tions
exploraRed

and

human

to

knowledge Jefferson took keen interest,for he had

no
greater delight than in science and in whatever
tended
These

explorationsof

the

commerce

knowledge.

territory
beyond

little immediate

had
of

field of

the

widen

to

activelyengaged
4, 1805, William

in

the interests

bearing on
the

agriculture
; but

or

government

of direct

measures

the Mississippi

was

value.

July

of the
Henry Harrison, Governor
Indiana
Territory,closed a bargain with the Wyandots, Ottawas, and other Indian tribes,by which the
Indian

title

over

The

Indians

State of Ohio
north
Within

only the country

tract

of land

River, which

of the whole

its mouth.

These

obtained

at' a

of

guished.
extin-

was

within

the

Sandusky

and

by the treaty of Greenville.

tribe sold for

in southern

made

held

west

the year the Piankeshaw

master

were

part of Ohio

thenceforward

of the old line fixed

annuity a
Ohio

another

the

bank

concessions,of the
cost.
trifling

small

Indiana,along the

United

north

"

The

States

ment
govern-

of the

Ohio

utmost

average

to

value,

price

14

paid for

sold

through

to

Oconee

and

Creek

was

also

and

Cherokee

Besides

Cumberland
that

forward
thence-

to Nashville

horse-roads

country,

the many

millions

improvement,

strategicvalue

in

fail to

see

passed

of

case

of

that

the

through

from

both

the

Mobile

treaties

war.

No

in

their

the

Knoxville
River.

thus

acres

these

defenceless

were

the

for

made

Georgia to

immediate

could

Cherokees

In

central

from

and

and

to

Georgia the Creeks were

sell an
the
important territorybetween
Ocmulgee rivers. In these treaties provision

Indian

no

induced

years,"

amount

Tennessee, so

land.

i.

not

the

between

Knoxville

from

road

the

in

rivers

Tennessee

and

district

large

very

does

"

CH.

last four

Chickasaws

The

per acre."

cent

one

the

Secretary of War,1

the

wrote

within

lands

Indian

the

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

gained for

had

little

no

foreigncountry
tlements
setoutlying American
isolation.

Even

fort and

villageat Detroit were

separated from
the nearest
white villageby a wide
Indian
country
the helplessor
impassable to wagons
artillery
ness
; and
of such posts was
evident as to impress every
so
observer.
"

when

The

principlesof

danger
of

merely
1

v.

;
2

at

such

care

Dearborn

to

of

garrisonsin
the

said

government,"

arose,2 "leading

moderate

take

Indian

last

our

post, and

Eobertson, March

to

us

time
to

20, 1805

of
a

Jefferson

the

ment
employas

peace

reliance

; State

on

may
the

Papers,vol.

Affairs,i. 700.

Message

of

Affairs,i. 752.

Jan.

30, 1808

State

Papers, vol.

v.

Indian

militia

neighboring
of

the

these

posts

this

such

Indians

from

as

its

for

might

support

the

obtain

to

neighborhood

the

militia

first moments

important

in

cession

maintain

in

be

it would

thought

I have

war,

15

IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL

1805.

of

proportioned

to

object."
"

This

principleof

protect the

should

government

our

the

not

army,

"

that
army

the

tlers
set-

the

tlers,
set-

rigorouslycarried out that every new

equivalentto providing
purchase of Indian lands was
The
a
new
possession of Sandusky brought
army.
its supports ; possessionof the banks
Detroit nearer
A bridle-pathto
of the Ohio strengthened Indiana.
the first step toward
Newr Orleans
was
bringing that
foreign dependence within reach ; and although this
path must necessarily
pass through Spanish territory,
was

enable

it would
hear

from
of

In

strong

boundary

the

Louisiana
an

spiteof
was

in

so

within

six

in

an

weeks

to

emergency
from

the

spatch
de-

order.
these

still

immense

tion
gains,the militarysitua-

The

extremely weak.

force

the

between

running from
Ohio, Indiana, and

line

government

country

west

them

and

Lake

Erie

of

Illinois to the

held

Sandusky.

the whites
south

Indians

and

was

west

The
mere

across

neighborhood of St.

Louis.

named
were

These

ville,
GreenDirectlyon this boundary line,near
lived the Shawanese, among
whom
warrior
a
Tecumthe, and his brother called the Prophet
acquiring an influence hostile to the white men.
Indians, jealous of the rapid American
croachment
enmaintained

relations

with

the

British

16

into

enter

States

United

nothing

other

every

certain

more

post

remained

to be

in

Even

River

the

as

Gulf

the

Kentucky
and

of

1.

between

likelyto

were

unless

case

the

control

Lake

Erie,

that

Detroit

and

the

fall into

must

militarypossession
Great

Whether

to surrender

her

Britain

conquests

seen.

the

; and

Chickasaws

them

be forced

afterward

could

with

CH.

war

beyond

Northwest.

of the whole

this

than

Lakes

the

on

hands, and

British

In
could

government

was

of

case

alliance.

British

STATES.

England they

and

States

United

the

in

and

Canada,

officials in

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

country

the

between

still belonged
Mississippi

south

of the Tennessee

Mexico, and

to the

east

River

nessee
Tento the
as

far

Ocmulgee, all

belonged to Cherokees, Creeks, and Choctaws, who

could not boast,like the Chickasaws, that
they had
"

These
tribes
spiltthe blood of a white man."
maintained
relations with the Spanish authorities
friendly

never

at

Mobile

Americans,
of

Pensacola, and, like

Northwestern

and

nese

and

who

were

Indians, dreaded

driving

them

Shawa-

the
the

grasping

westward.

In

with

Orleans
Spain, should New
give
trouble
and
invite a Spanish garrison,the Indians
might be counted as Spaniards,and the United States
government might be required to protect a frontier
suddenly thrust back from the Floridas to the Duck
River,within thirtymiles of Nashville.
case

The
new

his

war

President

might well

step that brought

remote

him

militaryposts

see

within

and

his

with
nearer

relief every
reach

of

proconsular prov-

INTERNAL

1805.

incc at New

Orleans.

natural,for

he

settlements

on

in

the

probable.

than

Anxiety
with

to do

New

caused
the

both

of this

immediate

an

and

New

between

spot

more

probablymuch
mind

democratic

the

rather

United

than

States government

which
territory

which

toward

dwarfed

its most

important
a
foreign populationgoverned
Old political
theories had been
in the orin the purchase and
ganization

point contained
by militarymethods.
aside

was

posts was

occupants

President's

1803
of

owner

these

perilshad

and

States themselves,and

thrown

war

safe.

of the

improvements
Virginiaprinciples.In

the

hardly

these

internal

their
was

was

by

bent

became

of

Orleans

Mackinaw

and

dread

capture of

massacre

danger, and

incessant
Orleans

the

war

the

certain,and

he should

That

responsiblefor the safetyof the

Indian frontier,
and he knew
that

was

of sudden

case

17

IMPROVEMENT.

New

World

at

; their

observance

in

impossible. The Louisiana

purchase not only required a military system of
but also reacted
the other
on
government for itself,
its administration

was

national

and
territory,
through it on the States in
their relations to Washington.
New
England was
thrown
of the political
to the verge
system ; but
New
York
and Pennsylvania,
Georgia and Tennessee,
Ohio and Kentucky found
interests which
new
many
the central government to assist,and
they wanted
and
Virginia,holding the power
patronage of the
central
these

government,

demands.
VOL.

III."

had

every

inducement

to

satisfy

18

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

Jefferson

CH,

i,

up his

Virginia
Gallatin's ideas.
They were
both
jealousof the army and navy; but they were
witli comparative liberality
willing to spend money
happened that
dogmas, and adopted
So it

internal

on

improvements

view,
forts

canals

and

roads

the

in

intended

suggestionwas
entire

debt

and

half

could

and
an

annual

to

year

1808

Address.

1817, only

1809

these
and

use

the

next

the

he

old

system,

his
with

promised

to

hasten

to

convert

in

use

years

other

Gallatin
and

foreign nations
to relax

his

it into

pecially
es-

; but

severity,

for purposes
The

rapid

confidence

decision

as

to

President

promised surplus. The

alreadydecided

thereafter

three

to

of

and

ten

pal
payments of princi-

$3,500,000 for

peace

calculation,and

ten

ately
immedi-

to be

provide three or four millions

of internal improvement and
defence.
increase of revenue
helped to create
this

The

public for
Although the

discharged;

maintain

preserve

purposes

ing
$ 8,000,000 to 14,500,000,freeof

sum

During

anxious

after the

from

proposed

war

remained

his annual

reduce

interest

to

and

of

the

before

year

be

the

economy.

paid

By the

would

might

directions.
was

this

than

necessary

prepare

of bonds

millions

half millions

Gallatin

be

not

dealt with.
a

more

to

Gallatin's

of

relaxation

were

of

militarypoint

change was
improvements and
second
Inaugural

internal

for

described

in

wisdom

of

first evidence

fund

the

ships.

or

The

and

Even

evident.

was

course

gave

permanent

in

the
had
re-

INTERNAL

forward

looked

He

fund.

*ve

expressed it, he

he

the

of labor

mouth

which

when,
canals,

upon

talked

of

shall restrain

which

shall

it has

"

men

leave

them

pursuitsof indus-

own

shall not

and

bread

begin
longer

no

another,

improvement,

and

"

regulatetheir

)therwise free to
y

He

frugal government

injuringone

)m

to the moment

could

ids, colleges,etc." 1
dse and

19

IMPROVEMENT.

take

from

"

earned

the

he rather

proposed to devote a third of the national revenues

to regulationof industries.
to improvements and
broader
than that
This theory of statesmanshipwas
he had proclaimed four years earlier. Jefferson
which
and elevation of his mind
proved the liberality
; and
did

this

only what

all

if he

at

with

the movement

see,

at

every

the

No

hope

that

first.

his

doubt

He

his

second

it would

obstacle

his concessions

he did
consistency,
minds
kept pace

So far

promised

serious

no

whose

of their time.
of

to

and

done

threshold

reason

than

had

men

to his

cost

some

winning support from moderate

self-interested democrats, alienated
friends

; but

parted

company

to

of John

militarymeasures
1

Jefferson

232.

to

might

this Jefferson
with

the

"

had

ful
success-

annihilate
in

his

sition;
oppo-

path.

Federalists
a

few

uneasiness

arouse

could

spiritof nationality,

in

and
Republicans,

more

seemed

to the

he

term, he

be
to

as

State-rights
among

resigned himself.
mere

and

metaphysical

old

He
tleties"
sub-

Randolph. Except in his aversion to

and
to formal
he stood
etiquette,
Gallatin,May

29, 1805

GaUatin's

Writings,

20

HISTORY

nearly

where

UNITED

THE

OF

STATES.

had

Washington

President

CH.

stood

ten

before.

years

England hierarchymight grumble, but

Massachusetts
was
already converted.
Only
and
at the cost of avoiding
utmost
difficulty,

New

The
at heart

with

the

could

aggressivemovement,

every

keep control of

State

their

himself

flattered

Randolph

the

ists
Federal-

John

governments.

that

if Jefferson's

from

removed

authoritywere

the

sonal
per-

scale,
Virginia

again incline to her old principles

; but he
So long as Virginia held power, she
mistaken.
would

certain

to

use

it.

At

Independence had
seemed
so
promisingas
the stride of the

future,no

coming

in the

spring of 1805.
as

the

measure

four years

With

for the

standard

possibleeffects

extending the

in

was

prospects of nationality

last four years

could

man

the

was

since the Declaration

time

no

of

the

1.

of

of the

powers

tion.
developingthe prosperityof the naGallatin alreadymeditated
of internal
schemes
improvements, which included four great thoroughfares
the Alleghanies,while Fulton was
across
nearly
The
Floridas could not
ready with the steamboat.
Even
New
England
escape the government's grasp.
must
at last yield her
prejudicesto the spiritof
democratic
nationality.

government

No

one

and

could

turned

by the splendorsof

by nature,
secure

be

the

blamed

if Jefferson's

wonder

he

felt that

grandeur of
for

his

putting a

such

every

head
a

what
some-

was

guine
promise. San-

day made

destiny. He
high estimate

could
on

more

scarcely
the

value

what

ask

[y

for

services,

his

in

his

for

own

to

put

Had
he

Had

modern

or

what

Edward

truer

to

had
the

far
its

the

and

kings

into

hopes

Louis,

where
the
?

interests

to

the

be

what

one

and

be
had

racy
democ-

What

who

boldly

sonal
per-

?
the

of

Antonine,
or

care

had

ruler

or

his

Was

of

unselfish

ideal

virtues

canons

swayed

so

conceive

republican

to

loftier

to

domain

more

found

order

experiment

Trajan

who

noblest

future

highest

was

stand

the

charged

statesmen

future,

of

intrusted

himself

could

in

model

times,
or

proposed

empire,

he

of

reasona-

would

first

been

national

against

could

merit
ancient

the

theories

the

doubled

offence

of

succeeded

not

might

history

not

the

government

what

With

in

he

practice
he

not

his

not

in

he

modesty

qualities

Had

statesmanship.
and

all

recorded

name

than

'her

21

IMPROVEMENT.

INTERNAL

Among

was

Who
all
of

power

looked

grappled

so

with

II.

CHAPTER

national

the

from

Southern

relations

or

States

the

in

the

Among
so

certain

varied

constant

which

Floridas,

in

government
the

Northern

favoritism,

subject,
Floridas
detail
Florida
more

the

of

Southern

of

in

influence

at

moments

decided
of

matters

the

public, though
neither

but
were

which

failed
control
Southern

turned

discussed,
in

no

over

in

concerned

the

the

North,

South,

character

and

and

none

acquire

the

of

the

interest

Southern

of

study

to

this

it

purpose.

local
If

North.

exercised

over

the
the

were

the

yet

whenever

away

though

as

Florida.

action

cared

nor

way

interest

to

the

complaining

impatiently

ence
indiffer-

to

to

utmost

understood

know

ambition,
wish

the

thinking

regard

the

of

to

their

Southern
as

ern
North-

the

were

and

in

foreign

people

States

marked

forms

its

unwilling

directions,

particularly

was

almost

region

understood

which

The

trolled
con-

the

to

be

to

in

sympathy.

seemed

people

doing

was

little

main

Especially

by motives

guided
felt

Northern
what

stand-point.

were

people

only

son,
Madi-

and

the

peculiar

and

Potomac,

in

was

interests

and

the

of

south

government

ideas

by

Jefferson

of

administrations

the

DURING

the

ment
govern-

Neither

MONROE'S

politicsof

the

could

events

and

summer

the

nor

understood

subject of

as

Union

the

be

23

DIPLOMACY.

development

without

of

treatingFlorida

first

the

importance. During the

John
1805,
a period which

of

autumn

"

publican
Randolph justlyregarded as the turning point of Readministration, Florida actuallyengrossed
"

of government.

attention

the

found
arrivingat Madrid, Jan. 2, 1805, Monroe
Charles
Pinckney waiting in no happy temper for a
decision in regard to himself.
Pinckney's recall was
On

then

determined

was

anxious

only

being

excluded

From

this fear he

to

from

to

in

acted

his

put

name

the

He

relieved.

to take

part in

Monroe
the

shared

conferences,

to the notes.

The

two

ministers

month

consumed

in

the

necessary

was

advanced

until

that

28, 1805, were

Jan.

Monroe

could

matters

present

his

Following his instructions,he put forward

claims which
had
often discussed,
been
so

note.1
the

"

Spanish and French spoliations

; the
from
suppressionof the entrepot at
1802

of

last humiliation

negotiationby Monroe.

new

soon

him

preliminaries. Not
far

the

chosen.

successor

harmony.

Nearly

so

his

escape

was

his views ; allowed

and

and

upon,

; the

Bravo.

claim

With

note

New

Florida,and

of West

the

losses

the

two

envoys

first
all
the

resulting

Orleans

in

that to the Rio

enclosed

the

projetof a treaty, to which could be made only the

usual objection
to one-sided
schemes, that it required
"

Monroe

Papers, ii.

and
636.

Pinckney

to

Cevallos,Jan. 28,

1805

; State

24

concede

Spain to

also Texas

Floridas,and
Bravo

Rio

district

the

leaving

as

She

was

that

might

not

also

take

no

for

of

tled.
set-

arranging

and

cognizance

the

and

further

be

the

Colorado,

Colorado
to

2.

lent
equivaboth

Rio

the

commission

CH.

cede

to

entrepot claims

be made

States

United

as

offered

the

between

create

to

should

far

as

border-land

spoliationand

the

point,and
Spain was

every

mention.

worth

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

this

mission
com-

all claims

by Spanish subjectsagainst the

government.

projetDon Pedro Cevallos quickly

replied.1Availing himself of an inadvertent sentence
in Monroe's
opening paragraph, to the effect that it
to examine
was
impartiallythe several
necessary
points at issue in each case, Cevallos informed the
To

this note

that

Americans
would

in

first examine

proceed
the

and

to

claims

accordance
each

their

wish

proposed

to

he
then

and
point separately,

negotiation. He
convention

with

begin

with

of

August, 1802.
American
Commonly nothing gratified
diplomatists
than
to discuss
more
questions which
they were
ordered
to take in charge. Yet
shown
the readiness
this instinct struck Monroe
as
by Cevallos to gratify
bad sign ; he saw
a
danger of lowering the national
of becoming ridiculous,
if he allowed
tone, and even
the
which
claims
Spaniards to discuss indefinitely
the United
States had again and
again asserted to
be too plain for discussion.
He felt too the influ1

Cevallos

to

Papers,ii. 636.

Monroe

and

Pinckuey,

Jan.

31, 1805

; State

25

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

"of
tcussion,
had

Pinckney, who
could

ing

fear

except through

cut

should

rallos meant

began,
Monroe

in which

French
the

by

inform

to

be

not

ultimatum

imposing an
our
duty to
for the

the

intention

; and

done

of

advantage.
31

by

consider

it

January

We

"

Excellency that

your

which

contest

every

once.2

at

arrangement

any

the

preciselywhat

was

Spaniard had
Spanish note

the

repliedto

consent

short

discussion

the

refuse

not

short.1

promptly cuttingit
To

could

it with

into

that

to urge

Spanish government

He

force.

or

entered

he

but

the

with

done

be

ceased

never

does

cannot

we

provide

not

"

subject of the claims, including the

spoliations. " It is in his Majesty'spower,
the rewhich
lations
answer
you give,to fix at once
whole

which

to subsist

are

in future

the two

between

the
and
Cevallos,leaving the ultimatum
spoliationsunnoticed, rejoinedby discussing

nations."
French

the conditions
to

ratifythe

opinion of it,and

by

the

"

of 1802.3

should be annulled.

motives

and

Cevallos

to

Papers,ii. 541.

of

withdrew

The

to

Madison, May

23,

Monroe

to

Cevallos, Feb.

5, 1805

and

his

King's

complaintin respect to

Pinckney

Monroe

Taking

expressed in strong terms

of the explanation given to it

that the Act

Monroe

sent
con-

he

Nevertheless,he

Papers,ii. 667.
2
Pinckney and
Papers,ii. 640.
8

placed on his

President.

well-founded
1

had

convention

Act,

his

demand

King

claims

first the Mobile

up

the

which

Pinckney, Feb.

1805

that

; State

State

10, 1805;

State

26

in

them

keep

mind, that satisfaction may

States

the United
convention

of

this

to

time

STATES.

CH.

said," and his Majesty intends

still exist,"he

Act

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

; but

be

it relates to

as

satisfied in

this

he
spoliations

question of French

to

given by

the
ratifying

August, 1802, his Majesty agrees

be

2.

from

respect." The

reserved

for separate

discussion.

repliedbrieflyby referringto

Monroe
and
; but

in his next

spoliationclaims
Orleans.1

To

and

Talleyrand dated
that

the

ground

The

deposit at New

he
first,

produced a letter
poleon
July 27, 1804, in which Na-

neither

edict of the Intendant

deposit of
interrupt,nor was
of

the

it the

Orleans, suspending

produce in

intention

to

that

city,did not
gation
interrupt,the navi-

Mississippi; consequently these

to this small
reduced
point, that
"

vessels

in their cargoes

opinions

American

of New

the

injuriesare

which

loaded
at

the

were

Cevallos

Papers,ii. 643.

to

Monroe

in

the

instead

stream

wharves.

If
...

formed

complaints published
1

of

"

the

time

right

the French

Spain nor the United

touch these claims,under
must
curring
penaltyof inthe Emperor's severe
displeasure. In regard
right of deposit,Cevallos took still stronger

States

"

note, discussed

the
the

rebut

announced

to

tum,
ultima-

by invitingdiscussion of the boundary question

Cevallos,instead of taking up the matter

of boundaries

from

his

in the

in the
and

the

United

papers

Pinckney,

of

for
of

short

taking

erroneous

States,if

your

Feb.

pretended

16,

country,
1805

the
"

State

MOXROE'S

false

they

as

Mississippi

le

which

of

name

mid

form

not

)rleans

in

inconveniences,

other

to internal

causes,

such

and

served

to

Spain,

of

by
the
the

most

the

various

writers

ignominious,

satisfied with
who

persons

and

same

mentioned,

violence

of

which

the

The

truth.

and

to

ernment
Gov-

absurdities

Majesty

the

in

of this

the
lead
mis-

sentiments

most

his

and

rebuttal,Cevallos

complained

sued
pur-

exasperate and

divulge

the

ideas,

erroneous

individuals

to

thusiastic
enon

irregularconduct

other

went

of his

this

the

false,

accredited

added

that

inconvenience
trifling

enjoyingthe rights of depositfor

than
more
was
stipulatedin the treaty,
years
this notwithstanding the great prejudiceit occasioned
to his Majesty'srevenue,
by making New

Orleans

the

been

centre

of

trade, the profitsof

that

the

and

and

suffered

or

occurrences

errors

adapted

was

pointed
disap-

being responsible for

of

public opinion, and

"had

four

conceal

these

by

against the government

good faith."
Not

other

justiceto complain

States, which

United

the

in-

New

at

were

attribute

to

the

States

passed

produce,

to

the

United

the

writingsbefore

far from

so

prejudicesoccasioned
in

the

as

partisans,
occasions

ought

their

of

they ought

"

that

what

inflammatory falsehoods,

filled with

those

of

led

tarnish

uncertainty,they

extraction

the

and

of

writings

which

causes

were

idea

correct

navigation

virulent

territoryof

if, in this

and

Spain,

western
a

the

government

of

that

the

heated, and

was

American

the

of

ibitants

interrupted, if

was

the

mpromit

"

public mind

the

that

repeated,

were

27

DIPLOMACY.

some

of those

scandalous

most

which

it is not

individuals

have

contraband

improbable
in

but

part received.'*

28

Intendant's

the

Finally,he affirmed

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

CH.

2.

right to prohibit

deposit.

the

hesitated whether
receivingthis paper, Monroe
to the
break off the negotiation
; but quickly came

On
to

decision

not

authorized
a

to

him

do

His

so.

entrepdtclaims ; while
French
in the
spoliations,

the

on

expressly

the

to abandon

rupture founded

instructions

threats,was
rupture with France
Talleyrand's
exceeded
his authority.
well as with Spain, and
as
that every
to go on, although he saw
concluded
He
dangers.
new
step involved new
had
Before Monroe
prepared a replyto the sharp
letter on the claims convention,Cevallos wrote
again.1
dated
In this letter,
February 24, he discussed the
Florida boundary, and contented
West
himself with
stating the Spanish case as it stood on the treaties
face of

public evidence.
points,but was

and
new

into

Americans

His

evidentlyintended

endless

obliged to follow where

he

directness

Cevallos

the

the

contained
to

no

lure the

Monroe

discussion.

was

led.

February 26
claims.
ning
Begin-

Spanish note on the

complaintsthat Cevallos had

repliedto
with

argument

not

met

with

American

proposals; branching into

other complaints that he had
renewed
propositions
which
Monroe
had alreadydeclared incompatiblewith
the rightsof the United
States ; that he had charged
the
American
with
government
trying to obtain
double payment for the same
loss,and had branded
1

Cevallos

to

Papers,ii. 644.

Monroe

and

Pinckney, Feb. 24,

1805

; State

29

DIPLOMACY.

tMOXROE'S
American

whole

called

had

"ing Charles,
"

for
been

to have

us

after

discuss

to

no

of the

note

which

could

two

American

have

envoys

spoliationclaims,

"

premeditated outrage

on

was

intended."
After

French

presumption that

the

freedom

with

"

received

the

the

league

right of deposit a charity

it was
adding that
sible
impos-

unexpected/'the

more

began

the

in

being

as

attacked

he had

igglers
; that
is, and

people

the

French

spoliations,
delicate point
reached
the most
Monroe's
next
note
order of Napoleon forbidding
in discussion, the positive
Treating the order
recognitionof the claims.
as
only an expression of opinions,
though it were
Monroe
sideration
said, We have received them with the conwhich
is due to the very respectableauthority
On
all treaties
which
from
they emanate.
each party has a right
between
independent Powers
its own
to form
opinion. Every nation is the guardian
honor and rights; and the Emperor is too
of its own
is due to his own
tains
sensible of what
glory,and entertoo high a respect for the United
States,to
a

long argument

on

"

"

justsense
Appealing finallyto

to abandon

them

wish

of what

is due

to

the

positiveorders
of his own
repeated that on
government, Monroe
insist.
Cevallos repliedwith
these claims
he must
of
disavowal
a
premeditated outrage ; and there,
March
1, 1805, after Monroe had passed two months
their

own."

"

"

Monroe

Papers, ii.

and
646.

Pinckney

to

Cevallos,Feb.

26,

1805

; State

30

loss how

to

forward

go

"

condescend

of

spoliationclaims

he

that

for

him.

humiliate
received

plain,not
perhaps only the

to

irritation

he

undertook

March

1, 1805,

under

the

wrote

It cannot

be

prevailedon

very

glad

of

doubted

our
especially

to

show

take

of

care

regard

to

question with

promote

principlesinsisted
to

this,she
1

are

that of

to take

must

Monroe's

by

on

our

diary

at

but

would

her

between

Aranjuez,

March

are

if

we

weight

the

clined
inare

to

in

into

the fair

on

To

16,

cerns,
con-

so, and

us

Government.
that

our

be

resolved

do

us

throw

clearlyunderstand

"

We

care.

his

could

all

and

only able

adjustment

an

of

France

us

its

Spain

was

account, and

equal confidence,

not

had

he

; but

Government

our

under

almost

we

for he

Paris ; 2

at

ourselves, that she will let

to this

scale

our

that

be

funds,

believe, with

firm, and

that if

it would

it,as

entrap and

full consciousness

give ground,

to

and

terrifyNapoleon.

to

Armstrong

to

French

own,

that

on

angry

documents

to

his

was

in his

he
situation,

the

past

rude, warning

say

more

these

combined

fault

The

discuss the

to

even

from

year

had

Spanish governments

or

; and

nearly a

of listening

July 27, 1804, forbidding

to pay

French

be

at
starting-point,

suffered the mortification

he next

"

Spain to

"

2.

recede.

to

or

order
Talleyrand's

saw

his

at

CH.

early in February Talleyrand's

21, 1804, on the boundary of West

letter of Dec.

to

STATES.

received

Monroe

Florida

himself

found

Spain,he

in

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

bring

her

negotiation

1805

Monroe

MSS.
2

ment

Monroe

to

Archives.

Armstrong,March

1, 1805

; MSS.

State

Depart-

tbout
to break

she

When

with

for many

us

first,as

against

fact, I

do

itself to the

It is not
:

reasons

literal

will expose

it.

resultingfrom

that the

taken

part she has

this is the

government

her

that

think

that

sees

doing anything, and

to the

entirelyowing

is

ire

without

up

31

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

prepared
we

are

not

quences
conse-

quarrel

to

republic,and

recentlyoverset there,and
in its stead
too
established
feebly founded, to
the one
the Emperor ; second, as
it a desirable object with
make
she relies altogetherfor supplies on our
flag,and on our
other
and people for many
merchants
friendly offices in
that

system

the

of

way

trade, which

ought not to hazard

other objections to

no

there

are

other

much

and

come

These

considerations
us

is

to

an

event

trade

interests of

the

to

advantages

rupture

with

us

third,

respects,a system

with
of the

France,

if there

fourth,

were

but

"

stronger objectionsto it,

incline
which

we

"

good understanding with

should

with

other

those
a

render

can

by prohibitingour

pursues,

friendlyaccommodation

most

she

others

none

in many

and

St. Domingo,

too

government

government

our

as

of

of

us

to

think

all others

she

England.
that

least

rupture
seeks

at

only necessary to let her

with Spain is on the point of taking
that one
see
distinctly
place, and will be owing altogetherto her support of her
to change her policy and
pretensions,to induce France
in the points depending here."
tone
present time

the

Pursuing

; and

that

this train of

it is

reasoning,Monroe

tested

its

by challenginga direct issue of courage.

His letter,
thus inspired,reached Paris in due time,
and its ideas were
pressedby Armstrong on members
correctness

of the French
and

government.

final ; it was

Their

answer

was

prompt

instantlyreportedby Armstrong

to

32

in

Monroe

letter1

of its sentences

two

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

STATES.

with

pregnant

so

may

fate of Jefferson's second

2.

meaning

that

decided

the

be said to have
administration

CH.

"

subject of indemnity for the suspended right

to know
nothing of the ground on
deposit (professing
the

On

"

of

interruptionhad

the

which

of

offer
given) they would
mitted
reparation for spoliationscomFrenchmen

by

commerce

our

on

that

On

opinion.

no

been

within

the

tory
terri-

Catholic

Majesty, they were

equally prompt
claim, having nothing of
decisive, declaringthat our
his

of

and

solidityin it,must be abandoned.

"
With
regard to boundary, we
given

opinion, and

an

would

question,What
in

the

We

answered,
take

of

event

be

the

was

of

course

; and

doubt

us

intended

to

this
and

it.

the

Spain? they
"

of

To

government

hesitate,

nor

note

our

change

to

cause

rupture between

Spain

[Dec. 21, 1804]

no

neither

can

part with

see

have, they said, already

the 30th

communicate

must

we

Frimaire
and

press
im-

this idea."

This

left

Monroe

helpless. To
Madrid
without suffering
some
personal
escape from
mortification
his best hope ; and
was
fortunately
Godoy took no pleasurein personalities.The Spaniard
his
was
as
willingto let Monroe
escape as soon
defeat should
be fairlyrecorded.
The
of
month
March
had
received
nearly passed before Monroe
Cevallos
consumed
Armstrong's letter; meanwhile
the

time

stern

in

At the end
1

discussing the West

of the

Armstrong

ii. 636.

message

to

month

Monroe,

Florida

Monroe, fullyaware

March

12 and

boundary.
at last

\8, 1805; State Papers,

MONROE'S

1805.

situation,
attempted to force

of his

to Cevallos

30 he wrote
"

It neither

mission
than

it furnishes

with

well-founded

his Catholic

issue.

an

weary

delay: 1

of

expectation
with

the

that

the

produced it,on

cherished

March

object of the present

the negotiationlonger

to continue

States, is

United

was

the

friendlypolicywhich

just and
the

that he

comports

its duties

nor

33

DIPLOMACY.

the

part of

views

same

by

Majesty."

for breaking abruptly

Unfortunatelyhe had no excuse
a
negotiationwhich he had himself invited ;
and Cevallos meant
to givehim
at that stage no such
dary
bounexcuse, for the importantquestionof the Texan
remained
to be discussed,and
instructi
Talleyrand's
'

that

on

point must

placed on

be

record

by

Spain.
Monroe
"

what

ered
Cevallos,April 9, that he considterminated
negotiationas essentially
by

wrote

the

to

alreadyoccurred.2

has

think

it will the

rest
responsibility

United

to, any

States

proper

are

crisis which

repeated the wish

which, while it compr
cannot
1

Pinckney and
Papers,ii.657.
2

Monroe

and

be

issue,on

consequences.

"

omits

Three

withdraw
the

from

character

agreeableto ourselves."

Monroe

Majesty's

another

for the

occur."

to

his

unprepared for,or unequal

not

may

he

Should

to invite

government
The

to

Cevallos,March

days
a

later

situation

of

our

Cevallos

30, 1805;

ernment,
gov-

State

Pinckney

to

Cevallos,April 9, 1805; State

Pinckney

to

Cevallos,April 12, 1805; State

Papers,ii. 658.
8

Monroe

and

Papers,ii.660.
VOL.

III.

"

34

took

notice

no

threats,and

of the

repellingthe

with

in

regard

the

Texan

the

to

rest

upon

of

him.

CH.

2.

himself

breakingoff
Nevertheless

opinionof his Government

the

to record

he hastened

contented

idea that the blame

negotiationshould

the

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

of the

last claim

United

States,"

boundary.

leyrand.
again Cevallos followed the guidance of TalThe
between
Louisiana
and
dividing-line
tween
Texas, he said,ought to be decided by the line beand
the French
The
Spanish settlements.
French
post of Natchitoches,on the Red River,was
distant seven
leaguesfrom the Spanish post of Nuesde los Adaes
tra Senora
; and therefore the boundary
of Louisiana
should run
between
these
two
points
southward, along the watershed,until it reached the
Here

Gulf

of Mexico

casieu,

boundary

"

States not

could

as

Monroe

leave

he

consumed

complaintsof
Louis

included

not

that

Texas

XIY.

"

to

was

Cevallos'
was

the

close the

week

tory
terri-

he
negotiation,

ingly
reply; and accordin preparing more

dilatoryconduct, and

included

United

important

an

Cal-

the

State of Louisiana.1

without

another

and

deprived

in the

this note

in the

grant

in proving
made

by

posing
Anthony Crozat in 1712. After disof that subject,
he again begged for a conclusion.
As every point has been thus fullydiscussed,
to

flatter ourselves

we

which

only of Texas, but of

afterward

Eager

Marmentou

the

between

Cevallos

Papers,ii.660.

to

that

Pinckney

and

we

shall

now

be

honored

Monroe, April 13, 1805; State

Excellency'spropositionsfor

ith your

vain;

business."

whole

of the

ent

He

attempt,

onroe's part by

the

with

week

himself

May 1,
promise

some

the usual

afterward

oblig-

he

made

reply, followed

same

offer to concede

an

arrange-

answer.

an

result than

; a
Spanish expressions

the

flattered

tried to obtain

privateinterview,he
action,without better

.nother

days passed without

ten

35

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

the

even

on

point

Senor Cevallos listen to a

dignity. Would
and
more
advantageous offer on the part of
"

States ? "

United
would

be

ended.2
the
and

:atum
cede

premature,
had

Monroe

as

the

no

choice

had

not

was

yet

through

wound

sent

step

himself

general ulti-

Spanish government: If Spain would

of
Floridas, ratify the claims convention

to the

the

August, 1802,

and

boundary, the

United

a hundred
territory
the Colorado,from

of Louisiana

cession

of West

the

accept
miles

wide

the Gulf

and

on

as

the

establish

the eastern

to the northern

the

assume

French

Texan
neutral
bank

of

boundary

spoliation

the

entrepdtclaims, and accept the

Florida from the King, therebyabandoning

the claim that it was

Monroe

Colorado

States would

; would

claims,abandon

he

the

but to break

12, 1805, he

length,May

such

discussion

in which

diplomatic net
at

repliedthat

Cevallos

new

part

of Louisiana.3

Cevallos,April 20, 1805;

Pinckney

to

Pinckney

to

Madison,

Monroe

to

Cevallos,May

State

Papers,ii. 662.
2

Monroe

and

Papers,ii. 668.
8
Pinckney
Papers,ii. 665.

and

23

May, 1805;

State

12, 1805; State

36

this

To

various

in

respects

receive

of

das, half

Texas,

obtained

to

of

assent

to

Spain

little conformable

Three
For

days

once,

Monroe

the

; and

which

American

government

States, he

she

to the

rightsof

later Monroe

did

not

will

not

have

as

desired.

the

vantage
disad-

Majesty
on

consider

may

his

part

them

as

his Crown."

demanded

showed

his

cannot

he do less than

can

nor

anxious

however

United

Cevallos

could

of claims

propositions so totallyto

on

the

them,

concessions

"

insist

please

to

convention, while

justice of

The

permit it
be

claims

equivalentfor these

abandonment

an

the

and

an

as

acknowledge
"

ward
days after-

that this
objectionsin the comment
everything and
required Spain to concede
give up both the Florinothing ; she must

scheme

only

2.

letter,objecting
ming
offers,and sum-

Monroe's

to

CH.

his

up

she

decided

but

courteous

STATES.

replied three

Cevallos

note

by

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

much

Without

his passports.

promptness

as

expressing a

showing so much as a complimentary wish

the negotiation,Cevallos sent the passto continue
ports,
appointed the very next
day for Monroe's
audience
of leave, and
bowed
the American
envoy
of Spain with
out
contrasted
an
alacritywhich
stronglywith the delays which had hitherto wasted
five months
of time most
precious to the American
minister at the Court
of St. James.
In truth,the
Prince
of Peace
had
no
longer an object to gain
regret,or

Cevallos

Papers,ii. 666.

to

Monroe

and

Pinckney,May 15, 1805;

State

detaining Monroe
could

lich
it of

be

proving

iblishingit

; he

to the

had
from

wrung

the

37

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

defeat

won

the

of the

world.

For

advantage
situation,except
every

United

this,he

States
could

by

trust

Lonroe.

After

writing an angry
at Madrid, Monroe

letter to the

French

ambas-

his way,

ing
May 26, leavthe forms
of diplomatic
Pinckney to maintain
the
relations with
Spanish government.
Pinckney
had
still more
to suffer before
escaping from the
of his diplomatic trials. The Spaniards began
scene
to plunder American
commerce
spoliationsof
; the
renewed
1798 were
Florida
garrisonsin West
; the
reinforced ; Cevallos paid no
and Texas
tion
attenwere
In October
to complaintsor threats.
Pinckney
took leave and
returned
to America, and
George W.
London
sent from
to take charge of the
Erving was
legationat Madrid.
Erving made an excellent representative
lor

within
him

as

little to

mere

the

went

field of action

narrow

but
charg6 d'affaires;
the

of

he

open
could

to

do

Spanish desperation.
The
Prince of Peace, driven by France, England, and
America
and
to the
nearer
nearer
precipice that
yawned for the destruction of Spain,was
willing to
the world
see
embroiled,in the hope of finding some
last chance in his favor.
When
Erving in December,
five months
after Monroe's
strate
departure,went to remonagainst seizures of American
ships in flagrant
violation of the treaty of 1795, Godoy received him
with
the good-natured courtesy which
marked
his
stem

current

38

to have

we

How

"

manners.

?"

war

or

peace

affairs ?

our

go

"

he

Erving
The

late seizures.

to the

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

CH.

asked

called

Prince

"

2.

are

his attention

repliedthat

it

vessels
impossiblefor Spain to allow American
But we
have a treaty
to carry English property.
that right,"repliedErving.
which
tainly,
Cerus
secures
was

"

"

I know

have

you

treaty,for I made

Pinckney," rejoinedGodoy

Mr.

frankness

entire

to

; and

he went

that

announce

it with

the

"

with

on

"

free-goods

provisionof that treaty would no longerbe respected.

Then
he continued, with laughablecoolness,
"

"You

thing to

same

will go

war

the

this

if

now,

think

you

from

or

the

I advise
for

Europe

if you

and

moment,

is best

in

'T is the

war.

candidly,that

us.

that

will be made

which

peace

certainly is

possessions

our

peace

I will tell you

me.

war

take

may
to

to

either

choose

may

you
to

you
; and

you

will leave

go

then

us

two

at war."1

Defiance

openly

said

Florida

remaining
his reach.

commerce,

Floridas

and

Erving

Archives.

at

to

States

to leave

the

war

Florida

and

the Prince

had

Spain
the

was

and

brought

indifferent to

President

Mexico

peace.

could

price he
Cuba

only
asked

were

yond
be-

Meanwhile

for the

due

money

In

Elsewhere

United

point as

further.

no

the

consequences.

seize
for

go

that

such

things to
the

could

old

still

and

Texas,
Madison,

Spain not only saved the

can
claims,but plundered Ameri-

"

Dec.

preserved her

title

title to

which, at least

7. 1805; MSS.

State

as

the
con-

Department

Such

the result of the President's

was

War

Aspectto Spain.

Spain ;

with

war

ike

England

this

Monroe

Meanwhile

passed six weeks

who

of

the

the real

of

was

danger

force

should

must

pursued

be

States

where

his French
to

course

Italywith

Milan

the

the
iron

Napoleon

clear to both
France

to

their

was

he

was

envoys.

interfere

on

and

on

object;

more
points,Armstrong's ideas were
those of Monroe, Madison, or Jefferson.

many

left

Monroe

sketched

simply

northern

to

bank

at

bring Spain
giving

the

received

outline

of

letter

decisive

"

take

limit in statu

without

Madrid, he

in which

eastern

and

in

absent

That

Armstrong

once

He

proper

kings.

from

the

the

on

Lombard

before

of

had

with

at

Even

It is

26

United

definite than

was

and

received

element

on

Jefferson

Paris,

to

Armstrong

May

of the

this,as

and

France.

returned

with

policy which

behalf

ideas

policyshould

acquaintances in conference
l)e pursued. Talleyrand was
Emperor,

must

coalition

the

to

irritated

and

who

result.

its natural

crown

Charles

King

in

outcome,

Napoleon,

general recurrence

whether

decide

lext

with

war

with

^asperatedSpain

"

or

diplomacy

of the last Administration.

"recedents

plan

sooner

only natural

its

was

cause

common

dth

must

extinguish.

iter

to

Americans

Floridas,the

the

srned

39

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

of
quo.

to

the

Rio

stroke

reason,

either

and

strong

room

and
to

prompt

possession
the

Bravo,

leaving

of

kind

would

to

her

rescue,

quarrel.

You

France

this

might

40

Cn.

bargain pretty much

the

negotiate,and shape

then

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

as

2.

you

pleased."1

untouched,

; for

bought

been

never

had

Texas
Florida

West

paid for, whereas

Texas, leavingWest

at all.

been

bought

and

beyond

doubt

had

Armstrong

in

yielding
the

tacitly abandoned

Monroe

that
"

is

There

shade

no

Armstrong

wrote

Paris,2

"and

regard

to

whole

may

to

Spain

that

be

reduced

Spanish posts

the

intention

to do

the

of

operationsto

Louisiana.
that

we

Madison

it is
to

in West

with

after

such

as

Spain

an

and

this

been

before,

that

(from

may
some

have

of

assailing

growing

more

restrict

Emperor)

been

established

degree

of

on

commercial

colonies,would

The

indicatingan

even

our

at

with

noticing.

instead

the

arrival

pursued

motives

of

opinions,"

our

be

to

Florida, or

embargo
her

in

Monroe's

course

the character

This, with
meditate

had

years

scarcelyworth

I would

so,

out
particularly

difference

of

little in the

so

same

arguments

he

two

the

it.

belonged to Louisiana.

Florida

West

to

his

to

weak

to attack

ground

take

persuaded by Livingston to

the

saw

and wished
point of Napoleon's position,
trouble in bringing Monroe
He
had
no

conclusion, although

ida
Flor-

the President

only step which

the

was

properlytake

could

of

seizure

Evidently the

in

demonstration

compel

course
interthis government

and
with
interpose promptly and efficiently,
dispositionsto prevent the quarrel from going further."
to

Armstrong

to

Monroe, May

4, 1805; MSS.

State

ment
Depart-

State

ment
Depart-

Archives.
2

Armstrong to Madison, July 3, 1805;

Archives.

MSS.

these

Throughout

41

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

1805.

Spanish negotiationsran

terious
mys-

not
corruption which probably came
from Cevallos,Godoy, or King Charles; for Spain was
was
always
always the party to suffer,and France

of

note

the

to

party

its

jobbery had
for he

Godoy

was

briberyin

the

the

Napoleon

sense

nor

they were

pecuniary motives

Yet

their acts.

on

such

That

improbable,

was

Neither

it.

that small

in power

influence

from

to

open

sacrifices.

origin in Napoleon

suffered

too

high

so

profitby Spanish

Treasuries

had

no

both

of

in .trouble,and were
seeking
Spain were
That
resources.
Talleyrand had private motives for
conniving in their expedients cannot be proved ; but
in 1805, as in 1798, every attempt to turn negotiation
from
into a job came
Talleyrand's intimate circle,
of the French
the subordinates
Foreign Office.1 In

France

and

found

June, Monroe

preceding

autumn

which

tone

alluded

16, and

[Texas],to
to

take

to do

1
2

withheld

has

France

what

favor

our

he
he

much,"
I

hints

at

the

irritated

him

in

the

he

said,2 u

gather

her

opinion

on

pretensionswhen
does

the
of

believe

to

the
she

man
gentle-

December

western

thinks

not

think

our

Government

Correspondancede Napoleon, xxxii.

Monroe
to Madison, June
30, 1805 ;
Archives.

with

led

am

in

weight.

Bordeaux

present stage, or until

Cf.

Madison

to

them

gave

can

part in it ; that she

in the

same

wrote

letter from

to in my

from

had

and
that

showed
conferred

I have

the

Paris

which

of money

influence

at

that

limits
proper

it proper

so

acts

321.

MSS.

State

ment
Depart-

42
to

as

so

then

; and

act

CH.

2.

He
thinks
she will
Spain apply to her.
settlingthe Spanish spoliation business as

treaty of 1802,

the

by

make

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

and

getting all

(he says eight millions

promote an adjustment."
Florida

of

cared

be

can

dollars

administration

If Jefferson's

that

got for

expected)

are

commit

to

an

it had but to follow the

proportions,
hints of these
and
agents of Marbois
irresponsible
what
Talleyrand, who presumed to say in advance
motives
would decide the mind of Napoleon. No man
neither Talleyrand nor
in France
Berthier,nor even
the scope of the Emperor's ambition,
Duroc
knew
foretell the expedientshe would
or could
use
or
reject.
friend
Monroe's
deceived
him.
was
or
ill-informed,
had not withheld
France
her opinion on the western
the contrary, her opinion had
been
limits ; on
actly
exfollowed
less
by Spain. Not Talleyrand,much
had
withheld
that
Napoleon, but Cevallos himself
opinion from Monroe's knowledge,doubtless because
he wished
in reserve
for use
to keep a weapon
at
close quarters if his antagonist should
come
so
near.
of colossal

error

"

"

Had

Monroe

been

not

exhausted

his

have

been

used

it in

reserve.

discomfited

arsenal,this
for

Monroe
23

found

himself

of American

United

States

has

recrossed

would

weapon

final blow.

Leaving the Spanish affair

before

if

certainly

Cevallos

still held

embroiled
the

beyond
Channel, and

again in London.
diplomatichistorya
seldom

Cevallos

ever

During
minister

within

tanglement,
disen-

July
a

tury
cen-

of the

six months

MONROE'S

?ered, at

two

great Courts,

itment

had

then

as

should have

returned

and

much

by

November

to

the

have

could

step

late ; the

his

time

lost in

In

Spain

and

his

which

the two
That
should

to

already disturbed

the American
for six

months

leave

have

power,

done

this

matter

was

in

own

longer

his

of amazement.

avoid

been
other
an-

temper.
at any

time

in obedience

post,even

surprising;
1804, after

had

too

public,than

more

his

interests
taken

was

in London

minister

instructions,was

to

should

had

very

notice

gave

Paris

at

was

to

sail at latest

to

it

plan,and he could no
defeat more
serious,and even

fatal to

It

"

his

wiser,but

been

That

for escape

ship,and

Office.

Foreign

lot.

England, meaning

to

1, he selected

British

contemptuous

anxious

for America.
quicklyas possible
wish/' he wrote.1 Hoping
my

sail as

no

such

fallen to Monroe's

mortified

been

He

natural.

was

43

DIPLOMACY.

but

that

he

Pitt's return

Monroe

pected
ex-

unfriendlychange of policyin the British

As
government.
early as June, 1804, he wrote to
Madison
earnest
advice is to look
to
:
My most
an

"

the

of
possibility
later,although the

had

become

such

attitude

change."2
of the

Four

British

months

ministry

Monroe
started
for
threatening,
Madrid, leavingPitt in peace, unwatched, to take his
and
to fix beyond recall his change of
measures
minister
policy. July 23, 1805, when the American
at last returned
from his Spanishjourneyand arrived
more

Monroe

to

Monroe

to Madison.

Madison, Oct. 18,

June

1805

; State

3, 1805

; State

Papers,iii.106.
Papers,iii. 93.

44

after

London,

in

such

of affairs

state

phlegmaticof

most

had

made

During

the

winter

several

Acts

Pitt

free

Indies

good

Britain

the

extended

system

with

through

on

These

the French

American

the

engaged

were

America
Sir William
1

Act

Orders

of

of

in

commerce

Great

British

by requiring that

all

be carried

to force the trade

into

of the

British

direct

rules
of

colonies,the

providing the

Scott

which

their

for

Orders

and

of

nel
chan-

attack

Parliament

and
legislation

hostile

other

dise
merchan-

into

islands should

While

the

the

in

Spanish colonies
were
secondary to

taking charge of
and

there

enemies

intended

were

the

enemy's

provided

Acts

with

West

ports alone.1

commerce.

devised

trade

and
all

; but

Other

concluded

free

measures

further

licenses,by

French

the

the

to

Indian

the

enemy's produce

of

passed

West

to

open

Act

the

ships.

allowed
subjectswere
neutral
vessels,and
their trade

Parliament

thrown

this

British

in

absence.

encouraged to bring
colonies,receivingBritish

importationof

the

the

Throughout the

hands.

were

return, while

in

Monroe's

were

their

produce of

alarmed

all the

draw

to

British

vessels,which

of

use

of 1804-1805

ports

Paris,he found

have

might

as

Cij.2.

men.

tending

into

commerce

lost at

weeks

some

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

on

cil
Coun-

and

necessary

for

Cuba, Martinique,
Lords

law

of

necessary

Appeals

for depriving

trade.

July 23, 1805,

pronounced judgment in the case

April 10, 1805;

Aug. 3, 1805.

same

Instructions

of

June

29, 1805;

the

mdon,
mid

by something

prove,

custom-house
been

entry,

weeks

American

ships by

warning

; neutral

British

merchantmen

applauding the

energy

scheme

blunted
; but

by

the

the

an

American

the

of

William
of

few

the

and

royal

in

navy

Pitt.

morality something

should

have
his

desperationof
did not

seized without

doubled

with

excuse

same

evidence

in

was

for
surprising,

not

was

the

originalintention

were

vied

Pitt

That

be said.

owner

decision,within

matter

as

his

scores

insurance

Of the decision

been

case

neutral

than

voyage

of this

consequence

the

more

that

the

terminate

to

In

might

unless

good prize

was

port.

the

"

ie

iad

rulingin

Polly,"1 he held that the neutral cargo which

from
Martinique to Charleston, and thence to

the

his

Setting aside

Essex."

"

45

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

planned

moral

his

had

political
gle
strug-

apply to

law
quarrel between
lies deep. Perhaps

sense

such

Sir William

historyis old,
and its source
no
good historian
a
ever
was
good lawyer
good lawyer : whether
any
could be a good historian
might be equallydoubted.
of a
The lawyer is required to give facts the mould
theory ; the historian need only state facts in their
Scott.

The

In

sequence.
as

of the

one

to any
a

"

pride.

In

man

of the

in whom

historyhe
See First

made

was
ever

considered
sat

on

the

highest personal honor,

imputation on

lawyer
1

Scott

greatest judges that

English bench,
sensitive

Sir William

law

and

the

his

judicialindependence,
whole professiontook

himself

and

Administration,ii. 400.

his court

46

OF

HISTORY

secret

law

The

defends

was

the
a

certain

this,and
may

him

STATES.

carrying out

CH.

2.

act of

piracy.
by throwing responsibility
upon
an

bound
to make
chiefs who were
political
sation
compenif compensation
to the plundered merchants
claring
The
due.
judge'sduty began and ended by delaw.
what
Experience had proved that
was
evidence previously
requiredto convince the court

the

of

for

instrument

UNITED

THE

be the

no

fact

insufficient.

was

more.

The

judge

said

History repliesthat whatever

strictly
professional
aspect of
it

this famous

political
act, and
As a political
known
was
by the judge to be such.
its character
was
measure
equivalentto a declaration
of war, and did not materiallydiffer from the more
violent seizure of the Spanish treasure-ships
by Pitt's
The lawyers justified
order in the previousOctober.
that seizure also ; the King's Advocate
defended
it
of Commons
in the House
by the simple explanation
not in the habit of declaringwar,
that England was
but usuallybegan hostilities by some
act of force.1
whom
Pitt had entreated,only a few
Lord Grenville,
months
before, to join the new
ministry,and who
to Pitt himself,
was
certainlyconsidered
as, next
the highest political
not
authorityin England, was
deterred
by this reasoning from
denouncing the
seizure of the Spanish galleonsas an
atrocious
act
of barbarity,contrary to all the
law
of nations,
which
stamped indelible infamy on the English name.
judgment,

1805

Speech

in its nature

of Sir

; Cobbett's

John

Nicholl

Debates, iii.407.

was

Feb.
(Advocate-General),

11,

Grey, another

high authority,stigmatizedit as
faith.
and
bad
The
finingviolence, injustice,
American

of the

seizure

tits

far

so

to throw

descended

b he

ships was

in

only

nature

Sir

as

Scott

William

of the

London

his

Lord

Essex."

"

the very

on

pronounced

making
position,

fatal

he

Except

as

character

for Lord

way

friend

and

; and

Lord

had

from

the

attention

to the

Monroe

to
to

unknown.

was

be

portance
im-

self
him-

addressed

assured
was

Yet
of

United

to

this and
when

been

Monroe
of American

naval

officers who

acting by order, Lord

Madison, Aug. 16, 1805

State

an
sured
as-

issued,

do

the other

score

take

States ; he

had

the

remote

more

disposed to

was

in

me

than

orders

to arrange

seizure

His

without

wholly

He

the

new

Channel, by British

themselves
1

toward

satisfaction."

new

abilities.

moderate

nothing

his Government

thing in its power

our

"

that

no

The

Foreign Secretary as ready

Don
to concede, as
Pedro

slow

also that

another

of Pitt's ministers

of his Government

views

unfriendlyattitude
that

he

the

in

longer presided

Mulgrave.

seemed

been.1

ever

explicitterms

in the

the

as

most

me

Pitt

Sir

when

day

taken

Mulgrave, Monroe

found

he

discuss, and

Cevallos

of

opinions

To

to

ermine

the

no

had

Foreign Secretarywas, like most

in 1805, a Tory gentleman of

and

Scott

decision

Harrowby

Foreign Office ;

the

over

to

William

it in advance

over

different

act

an

wore,

jtvlonroe reached

case

47

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

every,

points

called

his

vessels
declared

Mulgrave

Papers,iii. 103.

48

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

did

Government

his

of 1756

the Rule

quietlyrepliedthat
and

that

the

slightestdegree

from

STATES.

not

CH.

2.

good law,

was

relax

to

mean

in

rigor of Sir William

the

Scott's decision.1
indifference

felt the

had

Monroe

Lord

Harrowby, Talleyrand, and

Lord

Mulgrave
The

experience.

but

was

one

rough

accepted

challenged at

to

or

and

Spaniard.

trouble

himself

States.

and

caring

Government
"

was

Cambrian,"
station

any

in

who
for

the

the

had

to

by

the
had

man
Frenchwish

no

the

United

pressmen
im-

only sign of
of

his

Captain Bradley of

the

measures

recalled

been

of

wide

questions of
his

and

excuse

regard

he

showed

about

way

which
of the

Mulgrave

commerce
or

that

hands

discuss

not

explain

to

Lord
in

would

He

the

that

of Monroe

repetitionof

was

varietyof

treatment

Englishman

Cevallos

more

of

contempt

or

from

the American

of

violations

neutrality. Monroe
complained that Bradley had since been given a ship
of the line. Mulgrave explainedthat the command
of a line-of-battle ship was
not necessarily
a
tion,
promoactive officer accustomed
to an
to the
especially
Cambrian's
independence and prize-moneyof the
cruisingground.
"

"

With
the

this

1804-1805

year

he
seemed

result

drew

Monroe

to

to

came

from

little likely
to
to persevere

Monroe's

it

diplomaticactivityfor
end.
The
an
clusion
only-con-

was

adopt.

He

in its course,

Jefferson

which

one

urged
and

to

his

ment
Govern-

threaten

war

iii.105.
Madison, Aug. 20, 1805; State Papers,

MOXROE'S

1305.

France, Spain, and

upon

probably shall
each

on

the

with

England
able

be

never

without

Power

either

with

49

DIPLOMACY.

once.1

at

settle

to

pushing

greatest decision.

"

We

concerns

our

just claims

our

...

strong

am

opinion that a pressure on each at the same

time would
produce a good effect with the other."
had
not
the
Nevertheless, Monroe
yet reached
Neither
of his English disaster.
the Acts of
bottom
Parliament, the Orders in Council,nor the Judgment
in the

Appeal satisfied the sufferinginterests

harsh
to the
they might seem
England, however
of

of the Lords
of

The

interests of America.
of

rules,the extension

new

the opening of free ports,tended

licenses,

please

to

but left the British

shipping interests,
colonists in a worse
positionthan before ; for as
stood the whole
matters
produce of the West Indian
lected
to be colIslands,French, Spanish,and British,was
and thrown
the London
in a singlemass
on

the navy

market.

and

warehouses

The

overfilled with

might

convey

had
in

sugar,

the chance
For

it to France.

the French

but

how

could

to be

were

that neutral

five years

insisted that their distress

production;

when

on

the Thames

on

was

they

the

due

check

ships

to

nists
colo-

excess

production

and

Spanish islands were encouraged

ment
to produce ?
Forgettingin their despair the attachthey felt to America, the colonists attributed all
their troubles to American
competition. The East
1

Monroe

Monroe

to

to

Madison, Oct. 18,

Colonel

Taylor,Sept.10, 1810

Department Archives.
VOL.

III.

"

1805

; State

Papers,iii. 106.

; Monroe

MSS., State

50

goods, could

unsalable

with

the

than

in

Sir

trade.

tral
neu-

had

that, honest

universal

almost

This
famous

pamphlet

not, it should

or

after the

Essex

"

Madison

to

"

found

prayer

that
In

effect.

abilityand

rarelyhad
October, 1805,

decision,while
harder

press

of

than

more

War

in

Disguise;
The

Flags."

from

two

him

or,

author

less remarkable
which

hundred

two

expressionin
an
equal for

has

the

than

for his

Frauds

own

Junes

to

ing
advisall the

on

in London

of

the

with

the

Stephen,a

than
qualities

book
title :

Neutral
man

not

for those

have inherited
generationsof descendants
these abilities,
though elevatinghim
; but

immensely above the herd of writers who

bespatteredAmerica with abuse, and in
befouled
England, were
yet of a character
as

months

was

ever

pages,

James

was

three

Monroe

Powers, appeared
great belligerent
"

the

out

stopped.

be

cerned
con-

merely required
its honesty ; England with

of

demanded

voice

one

were

States,agreed

crush

to

Scott

William

proof

additional

an

who

United

the

government

callingupon

in

cessation

England, except

merchants

with

commerce

of

classes

and

manufacturers

the

the

son
rea-

shipowners, not yet

Scott's law, echoed
the same

interested

the

All

loaded

better

no

2.

The

demand.

satisfied by Sir William

cry.

discover

CH.

also

were

rivalryfor

neutral

same

Continental

of

warehouses

whose

Company,

India

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

bar

Stephen

his
was

land
Eng-

America
so

liar
pecu-

highest distinction.
high-minded fanatic,passion-

path
a

in

to

the

MOXROE'S

51

DIPLOMACY.

"ly convinced of the truths he proclaimed. Two

in Disguise,"he published
after writing War
iars
lother pamphlet, maintaining that the Napoleonic
chastisement
of England for her
a divine
were
irs
"

slave-trade

of the

"lerance

; and

this curious

thesis

argued through twenty pages of close reasoning.1

of slavery,
at a time
irough life a vehement
enemy
rhen England rang with abuse of America, which
he
much
he had the honesty and
had done
to stimulate,
to

Europe,

and

done

refuse her

to

of which
the

of

esteem

he

countries

two

in

prayed

abolishing the
it

that

and

in

harmony

settled

quence
conse-

between

the

on

slave-

impossible

was

England,

be

might

example before

an

act for which

an

the

as

up

that

assert

to

she had

trade

America

hold

courage

firmest

foundation.
insular and

This
of many

robust

of

dogmatism, characteristic
minds, Stephen carried into the question

neutral
in the

career

He

trade.

West

St. Kitt's had

honest

had

Indies,and

learned

the

himself

begun his
the prize-court
-at

in

secrets

of neutral

merce.
-com-

Deeply impressed with the injurywhich this

trade caused to England,he believed himself bound
to point out the evil and
the remedy to the British
public. Assuming at the outset that the Rule of 1756
of law, he next assumed
that
was
a settled principle
the

greater part
at

French
1

all,but
or

New

of the

was

neutral

fraudulent

trade

for

not

business,in

Spanish property, carried

Reasons

was

in

tral
neu-

which

French

abolishingthe Slave-Trade,1807.

or

52

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

CH.

2.

of systematic perjury
by means
Spanish ships,was
American
flag.
protectedby the prostituted
of this charge was
true will never
be
How
much
tions.
Stephen could not prove his assercertainlyknown.
merchants
denied them.
The American
stoutly
Alexander
Baring,better informed than Stephen and
that the charge was
affirmed
far less prejudiced,
untrue, and that if the facts could be learned,more
British than
enemy's property would be found afloat
under the American
flag. Perhaps this assertion was
the more
annoying of the two ; but to prove either
the other was
the one
or
needless,since from such
able to draw
of
number
a
premises Stephen was
startlingconclusions which an English public stood
the
ready to accept. The most serious of these was
certain ruin of England from
the seduction
of her
seamen

into this fraudulent

inevitable

decay of

her

service ; another

merchant

marine

was

the

still another

pointedto the loss of the Continental market ;

and
he heightened the effect of all these evils by
adding a pictureof the British admiral in the decline
of life raised to the peerage
for his illustrious actions,
and enjoyinga pension from the national bounty, but
still unable to spend so much
became
as
an
money
had
denied
to
English peer, because his Government
him the
safe booty of the neutral trade !*
Humor
not
was
Stephen's strongest quality,or he never
would
the British mind
have caricatured
so
coarsely;
but coarse
the drawing might be, England was
as
"

"

War

in

Disguise,
pp.

131-133.

of the

conscious

not

justice

done

have

British

Thus

bring Great
carried

who

in

war

"

from

Spain

The

conclusion

inevitable.

was

Stephen;

of Pitt and

measures

the

Scott,was

urged by Stephen

he

the

begged

language,
so

The

restraint.
of

Stephen

bitterness

could

with

their

with

war

the

opportunity
1

Bosanquet,

United

to

that

should

be

Causes

of the

of

self-

such

no

height

looking
the

his

for

moment

had

where

mingled

; but

States

able
reason-

protection

America

toward

simply

the

itself at

he

and

; while

religiousconviction

denunciations

than

Bibles, said

almost

and

beyond

of Sir William

used

writers

trade

far

great force

for

Rule

neutral

temperate

war

maintain

his

accustomed

less

the

austere

personal animosity

no

to

make

Other

fraud.

gross

to

navy.

the

went

decision

in

Americans,
not

off the

with

on

British

Enforce

"

"cut

Americans

rescuing France

the

policy, which

This

altogether!"

of

pressure

soon

carrying
of

to

that

must

the

were

purpose

the

lost

England

which
that

commerce

the

cried

of 1756!"

ruin, and

for the

disguise

and

the

this

on

of

in accord.

in

fraud

was

to

could

was

were

established

was

Britain

humor

point

Stephen

and

trade

alone

pecuniary sanctity

this

on

conviction

American

the

"

the

to

world, for Cobbett

the

Cobbett

caricature.

; but

peerage

53

DIPLOMACY.

MONROE'S

come,

followers,
motives
for
and

seized.1

Depreciation,etc.

its

p. 42.

in

going
that

III.

CHAPTER

letter

to

blunt

announcement

every

step

of

in

the

had

been

Jefferson

was

but

Madison

"I

that

main

peaceable

let

said

the

Mobile,

case

wish
as

question

to

crisis

present

but

decide,
in

thither

that

"

else

the

to

right

wit, whether
pass

away

Jefferson

to

Madison,

March

23,

1805

Madison

to

gating
navi-

of

further

await
we

ticipate
an-

as

have

shall
we

without

settlement."

to

may

failure

may

then

even

Europe

the

wrote

we

its

settle

"

France,
Charles.

He

On

everything

been

desperate.

was

may

and

not

King

him.

mission.
he

oppose

to

and

President,1

his

proceedings

difficult

followed

the

of

effect

had

by

its

Madrid,

at

Louisiana

France

with
to

meant

Monticello,

at

Monroe's

object,
the

of

to

Paris

consider,"
the

refused
then

arrived

Florida

retrocession

from

documents

West

the

Talleyrand's

negotiation
that

hear

to

disaster.

Napoleon

Monroe's

lowed
fol-

President

began

21, 1804,

Dec.

3,

which

when

Madison

that

declaration

its

ill-temper

European

March

expired,

impeachment,

Armstrong,

included

the

of

mutterings

with

and

Secretary

and

Jefferson
first

of

failure

the

hardly

confusion

the

amid

1805,

had

Congress

Eighth

THE

MSS.

will
a

and

The

taken.

attempt

everything might

his

retrace

more

singularletter of

Monroe's

the next

He

of

ters,
disasbe

step to

Florida

navigation of

the

Mobile.

his first impulse

vague

steps.

month

through ish
Spanfirst impression was
that
before,if the Spaniards

as

free

still

was

on

go

to

consent

Madison

to obtain

failed ; but his

fears had

would

foresaw

speculateupon

to

began

the

early as

as

President

the

March, 1805,

to

that

letter showed

This

55

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

1805.

wrote

President

the

to

was
a

contradictions.

27,1 that
entirelydespair," said he, March
to
Spain, notwithstanding the support given by France
to West
her
claim
Florida, may
yield to our
proposed
"

I cannot

"

its intrinsic value

arrangement, partly from

from
and

scale.
her

and

If

all

can

ground,
the

such

"

will

be

such

national
to

would
1

decide
Madison

France

as

of

would

as

at

by
law

principlesof
that
to

France

be

which

having

our

different

with

all when

equity.

sold

us

that

be

those

little weight in
at

none

by

right

supported by
have

part

approved
not

If

force.

universal

Jefferson,March

be

derstanding
un-

no

very

would

all,it must

technical

was

on

not

certainly as

States,

the mutual

Florida
claim

our

United

been

have

questions generally, and

the

soon

the

to

West

maintained

good against Spain

rigidmaxims

place

probably

world, and

approbation

that

Spain

it

Louisiana,

it to

prove

with
of

Florida

sell West

right to

above

as

may,

Britain

pecuniaryobject, transfer her weight into

she
ing
[France] should persist in disavow-

her

despairsof
our

consideration

this latter

that

her, partly

of Great

the interference

apprehension of

an

to

the

The

posed
op-

world

of
territory

27, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

56

having

to

France

on

remit

and

procure

3.

party
transaction,

whole

limited

was

the

convey

price, or

the

tanto

pro

States

United

the

CH.

rightto sell,that

no

against the

remonstrated

even

right of

the

had

she

party, which

third

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

to

territory,or

dissolve

to

demand

the

to

bargain

altogether."

eighteen

For

months

French

every

Madrid

agent in Washington, Paris, and

had

assured

remonstrance
language varying between
insult,that Spain had not ceded West Florida

and

that

France

had

been

refused

claim
of

to

of the State

records

; the

France

had

Jefferson

that West

Spain ;

he

brought Monroe

government

on

fresh

in his

that if France

could

the world
had

acted

any

case

was

That

to

claim

sion
posses-

and

government

to

ish
rupture with the Span-

issue,
"

he

prove

decide

regard

received

record

satisfactor
Randolph thought unIn spiteof
Mobile Act.

was

mind,

would

without
the

that

to

had

part of Louisiana ;
against France, but against

Florida

pressed that claim,not

and

obligedto explain,in

himself

committed

this,Madison
the claim

and

of the

the words

ventured
he

been

Gallatin

which

Florida

not

when

Florida

West

to

Department proved

for West

asked

Louisiana, and had

language

he

Spanish

in

Madison,

and

to

to West

lections
yet with these recol-

suddenly told
of

matter

common

the United

that

law

Jefferson

States

equity,while

or

Florida

riety,
noto-

in

against Spain

as

mistake.
Madison
so

should

was
singular,

have
less

followed

train of

surprisingthan

that

soning
rea-

he

57

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

1805.

advanced

far without

showing

sign
that he was
preparedfor the next step. Knowing as
defeated,
early as March, 1805, that his plans were
have

should

might expect

he

that

and

France, he selected

be

to

South

from

of

the

"

Our
he

and

wrote.1

"That

was

that

should
swum

has

rested

sunk

want
met

our

on

depending

now

relations

with

her

hostile.
but

have

this

are

still
to

bottom,

nothing
what

this

peaceable
desire.

will

and

of

is hers

; but

malice,
return

she
and
of

the issue of what

decide

would

have

hers, and

whether

sincerelyfriendlyor
and

idea
ours

should

unworthy

trial,and

us

earnest

jealousy, secret

under

wish,

of

hemisphere

possess

be

the

President's

disposition,our

want

its last

to

be

most

same

between

ceased

Jefferson to

on

to

patience
now

same

with

advances

Our

dispositionis

nation

since

ing,"
vitallyinterest-

are

our

the

We

the

should

been

the

on

together.

other

no

ill-faith.

is

existence

her

have
or

with

us

nation

they
has

friendly character
met

that

change.

that

with

Spain

interval

month's

suffered

relations

Had

we

in the

had

pacificviews

of

governor

Talleyrand's manifesto

of

arrival

of

Bowdoin

wrote

implied that

letter

cessor
prede-

privatelyto him, April 27,

appointment; and the tone of the

Jefferson

announcing

celebrated

was

of his

James

and

Pinck-

career

that

as

Carolina, was

Massachusetts, son
State.

noisy

as

Spain

succeed

to

whose
diplomatist,

futile if not

as

repulse from

minister

new

This

Madrid.

at

ney

so

our

nently
perma-

cherish, the

expect it."

Bowdoin, April 27, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

mer,
for-

58

of

faculty,peculiarto

the

had

Jefferson

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

wished

he

seeing what

Few

he willed to believe.

believingwhat

to

CH.

certain

peraments
tem-

and

see,

3.

of

other Americans

pire
seriouslytalked of the Spanish emin America
as
swimming or sinking with that of
United
States; but Jefferson,for the moment,

could have

the

thought

that

the

earthen

of

pot

Spanish

dominion

safelyunder charge of the

of American
could
iron
democracy. He
energy
gravelysay in regard to Spain, we want nothing of
for eighteen months
he had exhausted
hers," when
short of force,to gain Baton
Rouge,
every resource,
Mobile, and Pensacola,not to speak of East Florida
He charged that Spain met
and Texas.
his advances
with jealousy,
secret
after his
malice, and ill-faith,
ministers had intriguedwith Napoleon for nearlytwo
hope of depriving her of her
years, in the constant
property. Dec. 13, 1804, he wrote to General Heath :
With
but never
Spain we shall always be bickering,
could

itself to float

trust

"

"

at

till

war

seek

we

it ; "

and

wrote

to Bowdoin

were

leadingto permanently

had

not

that

her

six

secret

months

malice

hostile

ill faith

and

relations.

further to go ; for if he meant

much

later he

tain
to main-

his

that
authorityamong
rulers,the war
till he sought it must
be sought.
come

never

As

Monroe's

overthrow

evident,the President
from
of

August

one

grew

device

Monroe's

to

became
uneasy,
another.

more

and
In

He

would

and

more

turned

lessly
rest-

the first

days

despatches arrived,announcing
1

See p. 8.

CABINET

1805.

from

alone

from

had

an

with

at

awkward

refusal
any

of

offer
a

of

The
review

was

as

Madison

tion
questhis

they seize

if

nothing, as

and

this

the

of

war.

Emperor,
tions.
ques-

claims

without

tone

in

perseverance

be

may

extraordinary, a

haughty

"has

serious

some

mission

in

He

result.

drawing
with-

admitted

be

to

sonable
manifestly unrea-

strong appeal

to

the

country."

from

this somewhat

mild

Monroe, Armstrong,

ingston
Liv-

or

recommended.
as

was

communications,"

militarystatus
1

drawn
such

not

1 find that,

former

terms,

of
sensibility

conclusion

One

no

absence

inadmissible, form

had
"

and

post facto conditions

ex

feeling

said, August 2,l

stipulatedprovision for

and
and

of

overtures

other

of

dangerous than

he

the

parade

our

place,

tween
government stood be-

more

termination,

the

all

just, without
honor

the

alleviate it at Paris, involves

After

and
Mon-

at

took

men.

reached

Madrid,"

in
expected, particularly
should

long

Napoleon ?

humiliation

business

The

"

phia,
Philadel-

was

should

decided,

admitting that

and

war

fluctuations

of the two

first reflections

Madison's

President

the

day

to

to be

was

to break

moment

shrank

day

the characters

peculiarto

by

interchange of letters

brisk

marking

The

offers had

in

was

detained

was

lameness.

troublesome
ticello.

wife

his

where

all his

Madison

rejectedby Spain.

been

that

left Madrid, and

had

he

that

59

VACILLATIONS.

quo
to

in the

apprehended
continued
controverted

Jefferson,
Aug. 2, 1805

from
the

the

tenor

secretary,

the
districts,
; Jefferson MSS.

"

of
the

navi-

60

gation

spoliationssubsequent
had
a
place in
never

the
have

passed,

to

points

had

be

to

force,

idea

includingthe
This

hither.
the

on

with

the

have

mission
for

convenient

us

to

what

territorial

also, if

not

or

in what

would

has
tions,
ques-

tion
condi-

so

country,
made

not

question
is to

resort

mode.

haps
Per-

improved by
sequel of business
of

it would

as

Executive

be

appearance

more

this

the

fail, the

be whether

part of Spain, the

new

should

transferringthe

of

would

the

within

to Bowdoin

instructions

the

Bowdoin

spoliations,on

extent, and

what

to

of

utmost

Legislaturemust

the

discussions.

1802

yielded,with an incorporation
1802
with
quent
a
provision for subse-

experiment

this

If

purview.

of

be

is the

This

claims.

with

of

convention

the

of

the

3.

Florida, and

convention

French

the

deposit,and
those

that

the

to

suspension

propose

the

West

CH.

with
instructed, consistently

be

perhaps

may

STATES.

running through

rivers

the

of

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

and

an

advance

be

attended

would

be

by Spain

most

pretext

delay."

for

Madison, after enduring

in

one

refusal of all our

"

haughty tone," suggested that

tures
over-

another

be

The

terized
slightlypatronizing air which characJefferson's attitude toward
Madison, but which
he never
betrayed toward Gallatin,was
explainedby
this want
of directness in Madison's
nature, and by

invited.

the

habitual

slowness

of

suggested by Madison
into

the

hands

of

his

threw

France.

opinion of Jefferson,whose
news

alarm.

from

Pinckney

to

The

decisions.
the

control

This
mind
state

at

least

action

of
was

events

the

wrought by the
of steadilygrowing
was

CABINET
the

think

"

uld

status

igust 2.1
le

against

which

to

propose

Three
had
"

increased
The

the

should

and
the
take

immediately

not

years) a

shall

war

France."

again, and

Wrote

his

alarm

2
"

enclosed

now

papers

opinion of
make

he

Spain

dress.
re-

treaty of alliance,to

(within

or

days later

ought

before

provide

to

war,

such

in

both

to

eventual

an

whenever

of

think, therefore,we
we

of

cause

worthy

purpose,

ought

whether

place with Spain

take

England

into force

come

we

peace.

consideration

into
to

of

sufficient

letter of

refusal

refused, the

ratification

show

acts

conclusion

be

of itself

these

not

receiving Madison's

even

withholding a

Yet

France,

it

is not

limit

is the

"r

Should

"

already proposed,
through Bowdoin," wrote

offered

4, before

Ferson, August

if

quo,

immediately

be

61

VACILLATIONS.

expediency of

to

you

confirm

treaty with

me

in the

PZngland,but

ful
doubt[to Spain] more
light on
; the
correspondence will probably throw
that question. From
the papers
already received I infer
reliance on the part of Spain on
the omnipoa confident
tence
of Bonaparte, but a desire of procrastinationtill
in Europe shall leave us without
an
peace
ally."
the

Ten

of

the

days more
evident;

became
to

rose

offer

status

quo

passed; the whole

President's

the

feverishness.3

He

mortification

anger

wrote

to

and

alarm

Madison,

gust
Au-

17,"

am

anxious
with

to receive

Spain, as

opinions respecting our procedure

should
negotiationswith England

Jefferson to

Jefferson to

Madison, Aug. 4, 1805

Madison, Aug. 7, 1805

Jefferson to

Madison, Aug. 17, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

; Madison
;

MSS.

Works, iv. 583.

62

advisable

be

that
before

the

Were

it

of

next

bounds

of

for
eligible

the

language

can

keep
her

arms

will,to which

she

foresees

does

venture

on

therefore

and

should

not

ourselves

permit

not

be

to

cause

and

found

she

enforce

mandate
off

as

and

"

if

that

by

truckle,

will not

we

within

her,

to

were

Spain

of

means

the

as

for

us

"

she

till peace,

insulated

us

as

peace

it,

confirms

is

conduct

settle with

is to

France

of

view

not

delay.

for

expedient

other

cavalier

the

France

that

evidence

do

But

us.

necessarily,
un-

Congress

be

this

as

3.

question only

Louisiana, I should

I consider

choice.

our

the

Were

spring.

day

result before

only for spoliations,just

we
might consider if no

war,

more

lay their

CH.

postponed

be

not

may

we

rise

they

about

should

they

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

now.

We

our

guard

friendless."

and

President's

The

could

Madison

Pitt

wish
was

to

natural

plan presented difficulties which

fail to

not

fight the battles of

; but

Pitt

price he
and

to

was

the

on

Executive

should

"

An

of

laying her

Madison

to

doing

ask

the

what

Floridas
ments
com-

British

treaty

but

under

alliance

eventual

Britain,if attainable

possible measures

chance

of

Madison's

proposed

from

conditions,would
all

States

agreed that the

objection.Madison
which
take provisional
on
measures,

Congress 'might act.1

Great

conquering
States.

United

President's

this

pointed out

for

should

United

might reasonably

receive

for the

Texas

the

little in the habit

was

gratuitousfavors, and

Jefferson

That

see.

be
I

do

her

for

us

not

without
the
see

obligationsto

Jefferson,
Aug. 20, 1805;

with

admissi
in-

best

the
be

Jefferson MSS.

of

least
called

correspondentobligations
part." Objectionto the President's plan
to a plan of
the secretarycame
but when

force

into

was

easy

his

at

our

on

own,

he

to

renew

than

63

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

1805.

will without

our

suggest nothing

could

moderate

would
Merry, which
and
alarming France

from

Spain,

"

coquetry

side

the

have

Great

with

communication

of

degree

vigorous

more

with
of

advantage

whom

the

would

Britain

ing
grow-

be

not

concealed."
Such

such

less favor

with

met

proposed

own

had

the

in

met

of alliance

with

bent,

moment

and

this

Madison.
the

of the

and

American

for

the

the

writer's

Madison

had

proposed British treaty.

to

make

peace

without

the

spoliationclaims to
co-operationin the war

sufficient inducement

be

treaty

objectionsby

that

complained

Florida

while

was

livelytraits of

He

England

Upon

Madison's

than

eyes

with

President

stipulatenot

securing West
would

alliance

met

the nature

should

America,

he

showed

sanguine temper.
misconceived

of

eyes

Jefferson's

in

one-sided

England

that

arguments

England

against

heelless

as

President

his

effective

as

slippersagainst Pitt ; but the

yond
thought the situation to have passed beMadison's
tactics.
proposed coquetry with

Napoleon

Merry

doubt

no

was

weapon

to

her

for

making

contract.1

''Another

motive

induce
ill humor
1

may

much

England
at

Jefferson to

times

more

to

go

have

powerful
much
been

would

further.

tably
indubiWhatever

expressed against us

Madison, Aug. 27, 1805

; Works

iv. 585.

64

HISTORY

individuals

by

of

sides

ministers

against
do

with

the

as

think

would

nation

the

to

as

King
the

his

or

into

enter

weigh

not

every

fightingby

more

could

nor

popular

so

The

us.

give

would
be

could

ance
alli-

an

ation
consider-

their

us

general guaranty of Louisiana

might try them ;
any rate we

At

make

not

obtained,
the

calling up
it

possible,as

situation

our
we

might

await

receive

our

her

and
ure
fail-

such

one

convenience

own

think

it

overture

an

might prevent

If

worse.

foederis.

casus

should

England

that

act

an

Floridas.

for

France

once

us

of

3.

consider
it
by grains and scruples ; they would
price and pledge of an indissoluble friendship. I
it possible that for such
a
provisional treaty they

would
the

see

CH.

first wish

the

country,

is to

heart

Englishman's
their

that

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

important

as

listeningto

early

as

terms

of

peace."
If

Jefferson

right

in

thinking that every

Englishman's heart yearned toward America, he was
in delaying his
unfortunate
offer of indissoluble
Sir William
when
Scott
friendshipuntil the moment
delivered
his opinion in the case
of the
Essex."
was

"

Madison's
he
the
the

scheme

equallyunpromising, because
had
made
of Merry, on
whom
a
personal enemy
of Madison's
tactics depended. Each
success
of
two
of the
high authorities felt the weakness

other, and

the

in courteous

unpractical:
"The
more

active

more

was

secretary even

language,that

went

so

far

as

the President's

hint,

to

idea

was

"

I reflect

I feel the

value

on

of

friendshipof Great

the
some

papers
eventual

Britain,but

Madrid,

the

securityfor

the

from

the

more

see

at

her of

securityto
be

such

guaranty, unless

in
certainly

her

commercial

objectionsof

to obvious

be

can

suggested
of

In this state
the

Cabinet

the

course

written

devised,

is

as

one

the

be

of

few

from

papers

last letter."

in my

Unless,

occurred

not

such

than

course

liable

days

President

the

Gallatin

an

of
in

received

Robert

and

to

things,the remaining members

asked for their opinions; and

were

pretty

us

kind.

has

other

no

see

her?

bargain

serious

most

arrangement which

therefore, some

her

satisfactory.To offer
concessions
on
points in the
payment for aids which might

required,would

or

join

to

to involve

as

must

we

equivalent

as

offer

like

be

not

certain

received

be

never

as

bound,

accept
we

can

shaped

so

regulationsor

nations

of

law

she will

What

without

that is to

"

would

war,

be

thing,

what

obligation.

is to

she

same

to do

or

"

an

mutual

me

If

ours.

too, either to the

so

in the war,
to

of obtainingit
difficulty

the

time

same

65

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

Smith.

annoyed at the results of Jefferson's

diplomacy. Emphatically a Northern man, he cared
little for Florida; and a war
with Spain would
have
Gallatin

was

in his eyes

been

of his
rested

on

bluntness

have

relished.

"

to

demands

have

which

from

Madison

Gallatin

to
to

the

made

no

cealment
con-

whole

negotiation
he told Madison
as
much,

the secretary could

Spain

were

too

independent

scarcely

hard," said he,2

of

French

inter-

Jefferson,
Sept.1, 1805; Jefferson MSS.
Madison, Aug. 6,

i. 237.
TIL"

He

war.

opinion that

expected, even

VOL.

Southern

blunder ; and

with

"The

1805

Gallatin's

Writings,

66

OF

HISTORY

ference,

only

be

might

any

success

hoped

that

of
of

reputation.

be

eligibleto

again

the

If

for

risk of

by

that

on

lowering

national

the

has

already been

produced,

endangering

peace

will

to

be

not

before

this

at

the

serious

we

ment
mo-

manner

in

that

effect

character

save

it may

importance

conducted

how

loss

some

opportunity

been

negotiationhas

the

of

ground,

strength may
by pretensionswhich our
permit us to support. If from
which

could

our

productive

better

It

3.

negotiators
pension
relinquishment or sus-

safe

are

CH.

negotiation.

render

claims

we

STATES.

assumed

tone

our

wait

the

run

from

to

as

of

some

UNITED

the

such

be

not

THE

and

out
with-

difficult

question."
words

These
Monroe's

despatches.
was

put

into

to

Madison

returning it
the

had

business

When

not

ended

could

Gallatin sent
in

substance

to the

an

of the

criticism

not

ended

President

argument

have

and Pinckney
Monroe, Livingston,

take

badly
bore

admitted

much

and

in

that
he

as

double
that

worse.

remarkable

for peace,

grounds which

it,and

comment

so

phrase

must

have

dry

quite

The

previouslysupposed.1
Madison
meaning, for even
business

the

seen

dence
correspon-

read

he

made

had

he

whole

the

hands

his

had

the

before

written

were

paper,2

in tenor

Jefferson,Madison,
had

thought proper

disputewith Spain. Gallatin held

ference"
that,owing to the
unpardonable oversightor indifin failingto inof Livingstonand Monroe
to

in

their

"

Madison

Gallatin

i. 241.

to
to

Jefferson,
Sept. 1, 1805; Jefferson MSS.
Jefferson,Sept. 12, 1805; Gallatin's Writings,

jt

boundary

on

)vernment

was

67

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

United

Louisiana, the

to

holding Spain respon-

from

debarred

States

of its

"le for the inevitable consequences

fault,

own

refusal to ratifythe claims

Spain'squalified
her rejectionof the French
tvention of 1802 nor
As a matter
of
)liation claims would
war.
justify

jither

justice,war

jtract

Sabine

Perdido

and

under

arrangement

and

convention,
which

making

on

Pending
spend

consequence."
step, with

proper
and

acceptance

quo,

of
newal
Rethe

temporary

against

the

of the

tions
spolia-

new

Spanish privateerswere

and

American

in the West

commerce

daily
Indies.

million

negotiationCongress might
the militia,
and might appropriate

on

money

dollars

annually

build

to

ships

of

line.

Gallatin
effect,

threw

opinionof Robert
existed

Navy.

his influence

againstthe President's

of Gallatin's

the

status

insistence

French

some

of Madison
The

the

subversion

fine,a

natural

ance
in alli-

the result of this

In

the

The

precedent to ratifyingthe claims

condition

Spanish

in

"

as

of Florida ;

the value

boundaries

as

defended

be

entangle America

hopes must be the

of negotiationwas

our

the

exceed

and,

to

be recommended.

not

would

result
political
with
England

the

all

loss would

and

expense

could

it
policy,

of

matter

not

was

Smith

in the Cabinet

Hardly

three

embarrassment, Gallatin

semi-warlike

did not weaken

reasoning. Already

the side

on

views.

the force

sion
perceptibledivithe

Treasury and
months
before the Spanish
had spoken to the President
between

68

THE

UNITED

of Robert

Smith's

OF

HISTORY

in

strong terms
had added,1

STATES.

CH.

3.

and
administration,

"

"

than

the

subject,

On

this

the

object seemed

"

accountability,
"

in

harmony

to

of

Navy greater

merely

nominal

preserving

councils, however

your

grating

to

fect
per-

my

uniformly silent."

present views

Smith's

and
irritation,

in his

require,and

have, for the sake

almost

feelings,been

the

of

expense

to

tended

to

confirm

Jefferson

reconcile

Gallatin
to

doning
aban-

The Secretaryof the

energeticschemes.
Navy said that throughout these negotiationsSpain
his

much

presumed

had

and

peace,

by land

working

the want

on
or

on

American

on

of

He

by

water.

her

fears,and

recommended

to

means

predilectionfor
to annoy

her

either

urged the necessity of

advised

that

provide additional

Congress be
gunboats,to put

all the

frigatesin commission, and to build twelve

he was
seventy-fours.With these means
disposed
to take a commanding
attitude ; and if Spain were
alliance with
an
supported by France, to make
England.2
Gallatin and
Robert
Smith
agreed only on one
point, that the affair had been mismanaged. Both
secretaries held that America
had
made
pretensions
which
she had
not strength at the moment
to support.
than
Rather
again run the risk of lowering
national importance,"Gallatin preferredto submit
to
"

"

Gallatin

to

Jefferson,May

30, 1805; Gallatin's Writings,

i. 233.
2

Robert

Smith

to

Jefferson,
Sept. 10,

1805

; Jefferson MSS.

the

of

loss

consequent

reputation,and
Smith

peace-policy.Robert
high tone, and to arm.

true
a

it

it

his neck

bow

France

that

such

to

His

Spain.

and

plan

agreed
caught

solve

his

what

to

Spain

and

rived
September, arpation
advising the militaryoccu-

of the

well

at

it with

with

himself

gestion
sug-

President's

relief of

the

who

views

unable

man

hears

that

another

explain

inexplicable. Jefferson

is

result to

uniting
Madison

it with

his

the

true

as

to

seized
nounced
an-

own,

solution

"

worst

pass

acts

intercourse
new

with

l
:
difficulty

the

should

the

problem,

own

Supposing
in

of intercourse

first well-considered

the

was

so

the

of

cessation

Armstrong's idea,and

as

United

carrying out the policyhitherto

although contrary to Gallatin's advice,

and

pursued ;

the

the

some

for

yet made

us

of

yoke

middle

the

moment,

of Texas

without

President

Armstrong's letter

he

posed
pro-

imposed.

At

it

Not

President.

the

to

struggle could

States

Gallatin

that

"

humiliation
inward

instincts

mortifying,and although he
he could
little abrupt as
not
possible,
it was,
from
a
severe
seeming what

as

prevent

to maintain

Jefferson's

path

to

and

hard

was

made

the

return

wished

All

Gallatin ; but

with

were

69

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

1805.

previous alliance
event,

with

Spain
of

England
Executive

at discretion

Spain

that

propose

(1) authorizing the

establishments

Jefferson to

I should

with

between

to

guard

Congress
to

pend
sus-

(2) to dislodge
the Mississippi

Madison, Sept.16, 1805; Works, iv. 587.

70

HISTORY

(3) to appoint commissioners

all claims for spoliation."

Bravo

and

appointed October
reunite

should

explained at

"With

ought

we

of

from

will

Spain.

see

bind
positively
to bind

refuse

indeed,

in lieu of

advantage

yet

regard

nothing

to

At

not

to

of

turning

public
1

or

our

that

she

while

we

unless,

"

war.

our

part

No

such

to

us

and

had

except negotiationwithout

end.

I think

Armstrong
the

to

to

went

on

ought

to receive

French

controversy

private;

Madison

war,

be admissible

would

clude
pre-

attainable,

peace,

into the

ject
sub-

England, therefore,Madison

extinguish in

to

if

yieldedon

were

to enter

the

on

chance

make

think

will not

as

make

to

to
positively

as

propose

Paris

advised,

President.

adjustment,

Having settled this point,he

"

war

her."

satisfactoryto
In

herself

occurs

soon

his views,
he

of the

project,
so

know

not, however, much

engagement

as

return

course

in the

positiveadvantage

an

the

his

understanding

an

coalition

ourselves

some

not

that

intermediate

an

the Cabinet

Britain," he said,1"I

far into

as

eventual

an

us

with

to go

Great

to

respect

President

to consider

should

length

some

which

on

he could

widely from

differed

which

day

that the Cabinet

in order

he

the

as

The

discussed.

Washington

at

and

"

be

repliedthat

but Madison
and

could

which

of action

8.

plan, uncertain,indeed,
British help,but still a scheme

length was
dependent on
at

because

CH.

to examine

ascertain

Here

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

with

leave

"

government

Spain

them

into

under

tions
instruc-

every

hope

French

job,

apprehensions

Jefferson,
Sept.30, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

; and

Ireat Britain

leave

To

Bonaparte
several

jk which

[ployinghalf

in

Spain."
"

apprehensions
diplomacy

armed
which

but

by civilitiesto Merry.
After this decision,
nothing

"

then

were

accomplish,

to

men

to

was

Paris,

at

European governments

success,

and

change

any

objects with

our

under

million

without

utherto

to

Madison's

objectof

the

"

of

advantage

favorable

Cabinet

French

take

to

States

the United

between

connection

eventual

an

71

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

Madison

hoped

to

feet

)ut

of

line

of the

;ourse

died ; but

44

As

regard
Bowdoin, the

summer

minister,had

new

learning the
to Paris

went

continued

Madison,

his

fortunate, and

any,

what,

or

with

embraced

by

as

the

or

intercourse

with

the

last
to

as

be

may

Spain
the

of

fall within

Armstrong,

it will

effect of

shall

occurrences

may
the
the

the

be

be

taken

for

the

path

within

be

to

the

opportunity of
in

any

we

not

or

Britain

by

him

to

whether

cation
communi-

points

not

question my
other

marked

out

than
for

sphere of Claiborne's

Casa

of

impressions

government

is

the
this

one

aided

invite

step whatever

any

Marquis
best

be

question, however,

Spanish government on
late negotiation. On

disapprove

may

the

should

steps

the

reflections
such

nicest

The

Spain.

that
until

aloof

keeping

and

Bowdoin
ought to proceed
question is, whether
to Madrid.
My opinion is that his tripto Great
was

the

Madrid.
visiting

Spain herself,"

to

In

Spain.

to

he
negotiation,

to mark

but

arrivingin Spain, and

on

without

mdon

in

conduct

of Monroe's

dlure

remained

Calvo.

Perhaps

all for

ing
convey-

wish, without

respect

more

than

mitting
com-

may

72

OF

HISTORY

advisable.

be

Claiborne

In

it

general
hold

should

UNITED

THE

STATES.
to

seems

me

CH.

proper

3.

that

pretty strong language in all

that he should
particularly
go every length
the law will warrant
and his project of
against Morales
be not
If Congress should
sellinglands.
indisposed,

and

cases,

may

effectual

that

on

as

their

meeting

there

what

ought

be

to

authorized

be

proceedings

well

as

will be

suggested

Having brought

the

that
other

time

to

will

be

points ;
consider

perfectly
but
more

before

fully

for their consideration."

face to face with

government

government of Spain,in the belief that Spain and

France
must yieldto a peremptory demand,
finding
that Spain not only refused every concession,
but renewed
and took
commerce
depredationson American
the

"

an

attitude of indifference

Madison

proposed

no

more

to threats

or

vigorous

entreaties,
"

than

measure
"

length the law will warrant

against
certain Spanish land-grants.
Such
a
course
pleasedno one, and threatened to
create
and Armstrong urged
new
dangers. Monroe
that a supposed devotion
to peace on the part of the
President weighed heavilyagainsthim with Spain and
France.
Jefferson approved their proposed aggressive
he wrote to Madison, chieflybecause
it
as
policy,
would
the dangerous error
correct
that we
are
a
no
people whom
injuriescan provoke to war." 1 He
shrank
from war, except under the shield of England,
and yet he feared England for an allyeven
than
more
His perplexity
ended in helpSpain for an enemy.
to

"

every

go

"

Jefferson to

Madison, Sept.18, 1805

; Jefferson MSS.

CABINET

vision

whether

are

England,

with

during

the

Itimatelywith
to

of

present

us

the

opinion
and

important

the

declaration

of the

send

shall

we

these

aid

your

and

war

foederis

casus

Yrujo,

away

instruct

Bowdoin

But

are

orders.

first of

event

in

engaged

shall

we

in the

only

we

but

on

counsel

all

is too

questions

difficult to be decided

consideration, in which

the fullest

should

be

for."

waited

Madison

Again
six

force

for

provisional alli-

become

we

till further

that

too

into

into

4 ;

of it : 2

the Executive

on

press

; whether

Madrid

to

go

war

whether

Calvo, Morales

'asa

corne

leaving the

"tth France,

not

to

October

nothing came

shall enter

we

held

was

that

only questionswhich

The

it

meeting

Madison

reportedto

it he

ice

Cabinet

The

"ssness.

73

VACILLATIONS.

wrote

had

months

back

his

elapsed since

23, despaired of Monroe's

opinion. More

the

mission

than

President,March
alternative

; every

repeatedlydiscussed ; every advice had

been taken.
meet; something
Congress would soon
in realitydelay was
itself a debe decided,
must
cision
President
and
Secretary of State
; yet the
seemed
result than
no
nearer
a
they had been six
months
the
before.
Meanwhile
European packets
that put a different face on
the probbrought news
lem.
had

been

"

Scott's decision

Sir William
"

"

Essex

arrived

England began
and

Austria

August
1

27

seizures

of

in the

American

Pitt's great coalition

against Napoleon took

Napoleon

Jefferson to

broke

up the camp

of the

case

ships by
with

the
at

Russia

field,and

Boulogne

Madison, Oct. 11, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

74
and

Upon

Madison's

acted

as

Rhine.

nothing : 1
"

long-intended movement

his

began

her

Considering

probability of

the

such

questionablewhether
especiallyas

overtures

little

in the

felt

somewhat

be

shape

for

admissible, and

be

abortive

of

that

States, the

United

the

toward

would

elsewhere

for

vulsion
con-

doing

the

time

may

the

of

the

have

may

on

uncertaintyof
an

arrangement

possible

her,

to

delay

mean

I think

effects
it very

be

not

expedient,
English pulse will

discussions

the

by

extension

an

influence

the

and

effectingwith England
alone

the

European

reason

3,

"

temper

as

CH.

across

this

mind

additional

an

against France,

war

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

now

foot

on

by

Monroe."

Mr.

Accordingly the Secretary advised that Morales,

out of the
Casa Calvo, and Yrujo should be ordered
should remain in England,
country, while Bowdoin
"

and

so

left it.

Madison's

habit

showed

the

issue,in

order

Madison's
his

chief

and

measures

of

toward

conduct

avoiding

as

difficulties at

This

diplomatistled

home

and

of

heart

the

to fret its extremities.

character

Europe

abroad

every

mark
him
;

of
into

but

the

ness
Spanish imbroglio of 1805 first brought the weakhe
recovered
into public notoriety,and
from
fortune.
the subsequent revelation
only after years of misThe
commercial
ho

same

habit

restrictions

as

of mind

made

of coercion.

disregardedArmstrong's
1

Madison

to

Oct
Jefferson,

means

idea

of

him

favor
So

seizing Texas,

16, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

of his

warmly approved

it

embargo

"d, if

it

the

globe

to

mental

trait

was

of

This

it is

be

cannot
be

can

weapon

and

more

all the

force

can

larter

embargo

an

hand,

Executive
lat

to

"

commercial

passing suggestion as

of
efficacy

The

75

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

nations

In-

properly shaped
colonies

for

to

apparent

more

having

respect

doubted.

me

in this

rights."

our

closelyconnected

son's
Madi-

with

source
good qualities, it sprang from the same
his caution, his respect for law, his instinctive
"

as

of the

sense

dangers

delusion

when

could

do Jefferson's

him

to

be forced

by

was

his wish

for

belief that

Napoleon

meant

in order

to attack

reasonable,could

plunged into
he

receive

of
now
44

The

have

man

pin-prickto

mere

us

Madison

to

Jefferson

to

of

indecision.

; and

this

on

in

peace

He
the

Europe

idea,never

very

no

letter of October

his

our

16,

than

he

plan.
an

certain," he

gives

believe that

to make

extensive

Europe, strengtheningevery day

This

strange

weight after Napoleon had

No sooner
did
generalEuropean war.

of
probability

almost

to

tastes ;

English alliance

an

America

Madison's

again changed
"

conservative

weary

rested

had

Union, his

will.

himself

Jefferson

and

the

defects,it led

or

it caused

Napoleon

threatened

radical

its merits

but whatever

like

of

mixture

curious

that

wrote

war

for

October

on
some

23

great desideratum, time.

the continent
time
to

past, is

Madison.2
In

truth

Jefferson,
Sept 14, 1805; Jefferson MSS.
Madison, Oct. 23, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

it

76

OF

HISTORY

THE

We

places us quite at our ease.

of campaigning at least,and
their

for

it

than

by
we

Paris !

At

that, and
western

for

bait

of

peace,

obtain

can

mean
we

we

it

We

need

the

sum

not

of

terms

and

roe
Mon-

who

care

had

we

the

willingto
on

settlement.

mediator, the price of

gets

thought

of

Guadeloupe as the
of Spain ; providing
effectual way.

that determined

are

gives us time,

Armstrong

France, while

to France

it whenever

Madrid, certainly.

at

the

Spain again, yet desirous

to preserve

that

to

of

it unembarrassed

It

boundary may be the soother

our
spoliatedcitizens in some

announce

may

means.

enlargement

an

the

be

the

as

as

now

questionable

peaceable

or

year

be

retire from

Not

through Armstrong,

Floridas

may

done?

be

negotiators,France

as

the

this

should

Where

3.

tion
negotia-

we

pursue

to

for

effort

one

of

year

terms.

separate

our

another

make

to

too,

obtain

can

of

more

not

free

CH.

Should

much

should

we

alliance,and

any

other

one

become

it is

whether

was

certain

are

arrangements.

peace

into war,

forced

STATES.

UNITED

not

making

other

whether

see

which

ask

to

one

We

her

tice
juseffort

position
inter-

think

we

just ;

delay,however, can be admitted ; and that in the

time should Spain attempt to change the status quo,
shall repel force by force, without
undertaking other
no

active hostilities till we

see

what

may

be the

issue

same

day

to Gal-

to

Robert

of

her

interference."

letter

similar

latin; and

the

next

sent

was

on

the

day Jefferson

Smith, suggestingthe

same

wrote

idea,with

some

teristic
charac-

additions.1
Jefferson's
years
1

of

war

idea
seemed

Jefferson to Robert

that

Napoleon

would

reasonable; for

how

Smith, Oct. 24, 1805;

require two
could Jeffer-

Jefferson MSS.

would

Austerlitz
that

peace

with

the

In truth
which

be

would

be

had

already surrendered,
fought within six weeks,
before

restored

seemed

had

he

even

His

alliance.

when
conduct

to his

abandon,

to

most

in

the

new

terrible

Emperor Napoleon more

Jefferson only reverted

reallyclung

earnest

that

sense

than

to

for
was

ever

peace

which
a

and

year,

policyof

but

that

he

British
at

least

son,
hardly be said for Madieven
though the President apparentlyyieldedto
which
Of all the pointson
advice.
secretary's
So

consistent.

the

Ulm

that

know

son

77

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

1S05.

Madison,

and

much

Monroe

could

in obedience

stronglyinsisted,even

most

to the

to his

orders,had

extent

ing
of offend-

that under
cumstanc
cirno
Talleyrand,the strongest was
should the Florida negotiationbe turned
As
late as
into a bribe to France.
September 30,
net,
Cabito guide the
in writing the opinion intended
Madison
asked authority to extinguish in the
French
troversy
congovernment every hope of turning our
with
vate."
Spain into a French job,public or pril
The
President's
suggestionof October 23
avowedly turned the controversy with Spain into a
become
French
privateas
job,which must inevitably
well as public.
"

Madison

made

no

protest. He

soon

returned

to

Washington, and there, Nov. 12, 1805, a Cabinet

recorded
held, whose proceedings were
meeting was
by the President in a memorandum,
probably written
at the moment.
This memorandum
closed a record,
1

Madison

to

Jefferson,
Sept.30, 1805; Jefferson MSS.

78

unusually complete, of
than

Cn.

3.

better
episode illustrating

traits of character

the

and

Madison,

an

of
peculiarities

the

other

any

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

Jefferson

and

commonly

most

their faults.1

allegedas

the

Present,

12.

Nov.

"1805,

The

subject,Spanish affairs.
Europe leaving us without
"

four

extension

danger
of

secretaries;
of

of

the

sudden

in

war

peace,

ally,I proposed we
it
to France, informing her
ourselves
address
should
with Spain, and
settlement
last effort at amicable
was
a
of money
for
Offer to her, or
through her, (1) A sum
the rights of Spain east of Iberville,say the Floridas
;
depriving

chance

of the

us

an

(2) To cede the part of Louisiana from the Rio Bravo to

the Guadeloupe ; (3) Spain to pay within a certain time
tion
flag,agreed to by the convenspoliationsunder her own
(which we guess to be a hundred vessels,worth two
and those subsequent (worth as much
millions),
more),
and
from

The

France,
who

for those

hypothecateto us
Guadeloupe to Rio

to

Spain, which
It

be offered
Gallatin

fixed
did

not

like

advantage
1

of

an

Cabinet

to

be

exciting

motive

the

for

arrears

secure

from

us

to

bond

press
; the

be

ployed.
em-

with

subsidies, and

going

into

we

five million

should

thought

this

Florida
be

the

chants.
mer-

to

sum

Mr.

dollars.
under

thought

in

an

prehensi
ap-

fact to

overweighed by

opportunitywhich
Memoranda;

she

fide, because

unanimously, and

might

Jefferson MSS.

not

the

with

third, to quiet our

purchasing

lest
We

peace.

Armstrong

exceed

to

not

of war,

purchase

Bravo

agreed

was

country

second, the soothing motive

would

Rio

the

Bravo.

is in

to

; the

France
the

to

also

glad

England

scale of

to

was

Spain

whom

to

will b.e

claimed

first

payments

ing
tak-

occur

to

getting

of

again

that

agreed

was

he

whether

be

made

will

to

to

are

Claiborne

resign
pensions

not

going

understand

to

to

become

and

to

remain

his

be

let

and

that

and

all

his

to

any

friendly

if

they

if

as

choose."

ones

also

Dallas

he

not,
at

departure

depart,

It

through

Spanish

the

and

peace

Mississippi.

presence

desired

citizens,

the

and

away,
that

our

sounded

be

should

Yrujo

to

of

commerce

Morales,

Calvo,

Orleans

is

the

agreeable,

be

not

Casa

of

essential

country

security

the

79

VACILLATIONS.

CABINET

1805.

Washington
is

officers

with
remain

women

should

expected.
at

New

discretion
who

will

receiving

CHAPTER

his

retrace

can

what

say

Sabine

and

have

had

ordered

have

probably
Louisiana

had

without
if

indeed

taken

this

other

this

declared

have

he

measure,

into

then

have

about

impressment

would

had

France

with

vanished

seized

in

Florida;

neutral
have

United

President

fallen

continued

two

of

and

leon
Napo-

defence.

had

Godoy
had

by

no

ging
drag-

States,

Jefferson's

and

ficulties
difHe

an

instant.

his

controversies

trade,
to

have

Napoleon
the

with

war

have

could

embarrass

to

of

try,
coun-

no

but

strong
Armwould

whole

rights

war

the

purchase

required

step

as

theories
the

to

policy succeeded,

England

war

such

than

would

with

succeeded

August,

act

the

by

one

cross

an

Constitutional

to

extreme

France

might

approved,

in
to

the

as

the

No

Bravo,

Such

been

then

motive

Rio

supported,

Jefferson

might

the

been

regard

Spain

to

had

was

if

troops

advised.

Louisiana,

in

proclaimed,

his

1805,

which

policy

happened

Texas

Monroe

October,

Administration.

second

might

occupy

and

had

his

Jefferson

1805,

reverse

repeatedly

and

of

turning-point

and

steps

publicly

been

in

decision,

JEFFERSON'S

PRESIDENT
to

IV.

blockade,

and

ground;

and

the
years,

until

Spain

raised
Napoleon and once more
of popular liberty,
Jefferson
standard
of

yoke

off the

threw

81

ENGLAND.

AND

FRANCE

BETWEEN

1805.

Europe the
agreement with
might perhaps have effected some
then have
stood at
and would
the Spanish patriots,
the head of the coming popular movement
out
throughin

world,

the

the

"

destined

party were

plain,even
for
acts

at

whole

Godoy, Napoleon,Pitt,
the
Randolph, and even
combined
seemed
to drag

so
path. Its advantages were
early moment, as to overmaster

that

his instinctive repugnance

summer

to

of force.

After

step,and
by peace

long hesitation,Jefferson shrank from the

fell back upon
his old policyof conquering
costly. To Gal; but such vacillations were

latin the decision

the whole

on

his

and

into this

him

drive

or

Federalists

England

he

to resist.

Monroe, Armstrong, John

New

which

movement

the

was

easy, for he
could

nation

had

better

held

ever

afford

that

loss of

that loss
he allowed
dignitythan a war ; but even
of dignitywould
he could
not
cost something, and
foretell what
equivalenthe must pay for escape from
Neither
Jefferson
Gallaa Franco-Spanishwar.
nor
tin could

expect

positionwas
reckon

to be

than

worse

with

wholly"spared;

but

Madison's

theirs,for he had

his

still to

personal enemies, John Randolph,

a
Yrujo, and Merry, and to overawe
quasifriend
the militarydiplomore
dangerous than an enemy,
"

"

"

mate, Turreau.
Turreau
the

during this summer

Secretaryof State,and
VOL.

III.

"

kept

his eye

fixed

repeatedlyhinted,in

on
a

82

He

evasions.

here, but

it

by
it.

only by

his

enough

the
said
4 '

United

States.

the

be believed
the

words, he
that

impression
The

of

tenor

less
doubt-

certainly
dent
Presi-

the

impression was

General

to

In

tone

wrote

Moreau's

to

Madison

reception in

excessively
militaryhe

"

General

of

Moreau

residence

the

it is proper
in the United

which
Turreau

1805) ; MSS.

to

not

(ne

object of

honors

ought

services

his

; and

adjourned

foreign country,

him

could

afterward, Turreau

regard

the

command.

in

note

weeks

few

be

at

not, it strengthened Napoleon's

or

for

taste

of the

to obedience.

; correct

natural
A

force

the

reduced

was

shall

although Turreau

; but

Talleyrand

to

'

this remark

his letters to Madison

gave

lately, since

me

enemies, for it contradicted

overstated

affected

discontent

any

arrangement

made

Jefferson

That

to

me

been

time.'"

favorable

more

to

Jefferson

it, the

wishes

Emperor

shown

not

Mr.

Well,' said

'

to

have

negotiationswith
have

stopped everything. They

has

Spain

no

sures
mea-

sufficient

were

4.

of cool

tone

Emperor's

in the

of France

intervention

The

in

the

Florida

of
protection

for the

that

said

9 he

CH.

to tolerate

meant

Talleyrand

to

wrote

July

confidence.

"

frank, that he

extremely

manner

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

would

the
26

the

formerly have

States should

passes

point)

which

(il convient)that

Madison,

State

doit

bounds

Department

Archives.

be, in

ration
conside-

drawn

upon

his arrival and

be

of

Thermidor,

to

marked

by

no

his

monstrat
de-

hospitality."
An

xiii.

(Aug. 14,

BETWEEN

Madison

so,

ventured

not

the

to

resent

styleof

The

in

present

is

and

will receive

who

Meanwhile

Madison

whom

soothe

in his

the

speaks with
toward

the

States

He

the

he

has

assurances

the
in

and

to

Madison

that

Turreau

affection,
the

sitions
dispo-

fested
uniformly mani-

Madison

toned

intended.

hardly
he

resented

says,"wrote

; and

these

before

was

undertook
letter,

are

resided

ness
busi-

Powers

Emperor,

such

had

it

those

not

"

six

announced

war

would

in

drivingfrom

months

in

the

Talleyrand
that any
politicians
to

office the

party which

"

Jefferson to

Madison

to

Turreau

to

Archives

had

President,2

of all American

it : 3

who

by

conviction

made

but

of

not

are

the

end

Spanish

even

Upon

had

in the

greatest respect,and

severityhe

Turreau
United

the

it is certain

to me."

down

"

the Administration
which

in

mandates."

irritation.

the

France

"

the offensive

letter to

next

we

niece

showed

had

injury. But
notice
justify some

Smith,

his

they

done

would

execute

General

repudiationof

the

to

which

of

indiguation;

have

understand

to let them

order

conduct

excite

encouraged

that

ground

the

might

and
interference,

President

The

government

to

case

this

express

that

that

which

at

83

ENGLAND.

negotiation: 1

calculated

was
case

on

Monroe's

igardto
' '

it.

resent

to

do

AND

indignant

was

posed
to

FRAXCE

Madison, Aug. 25, 1805; Works, iv.

584.

Jefferson,
Sept.1, 1805; Jefferson MSS.
Talleyrand,20 Messidor,An xiii. (July 9, 1805);

des Aff.

"r.,MSS.

84

HISTORY
To

"

such

CH.

Administration
itself to

be

States

have

government

it,although

sure

of

beginning

their favor.

And

no

one

to

depends only

war

need

party leaders,

all the

President,

such

"

Turreau's

vulnerable

and

States

naval

the

universe.

In

brief, it

the

weakness

of

the

will avoid
to
war.

But
here

at

first

does

the

agree

with

sight;

and

succeed

the

actual

character

and

tion
ambi-

to

should

he

throw

think

as

the

made

officers.

her
tary
mili-

United
no

cealment
con-

Americans

The

ignorant navigators in
to

seems

that, considering

me

concealment

no

serious

difference

constantlyshow

system

the

suggested

"

the most

makes

will

the

most

militaryconstitution, the

every

aggression,and

who

government

trained

to-day the

which

and

are

government,

did

Their

boldest

and

it is shared

people. Neither

new

lack
They especially

undertake

have

France

power

formidable.

the

Madison."

of its weakness
"

hopes

of

character

those

by

was

indisposition

Jefferson, for

even

where

point

as

Mr.

war

public opinion in

and
interesting,

strengthagainst this
nor

outraged

to

that this

of American

sketch

long

was

Mr.

as

it with

personal

well-founded

pretensionsand

dared

not

think

the

on

philanthropicprinciplesof
by

vinced
con-

English, and accepts all the humiliations

impose ; and notwithstanding the contempt

they care to
generally felt here for Spain, against whom
last year quite openly provoked, the members
United

4.

the

day by

every

it allows

fact, that

this

of

STATES.

actual

is the

extent

an

UNITED

THE

OF

of

temper

yet unless

so

of this weakness,

which
itself

encroachment

?
pacific

circumstances

Federal

might
an

lead
to

enemy
which

vails
pre-

Certainlynot,
change,

the

FRANCE

BETWEEN

1805.

To

in

will succeed

States

United

without

conquer

politics(Conquerir sans

the

reconciling
is the

war

tion.
contradic-

first fact

voilti les

guerre,

85

ENGLAND.

AND

in

their

premiers faits

"

politiques.}
reflections

These

before

and

war,

failure

Monroe's

discuss

Turreau's

disguisehis objectsor
occasion

I took
in

Turreau

the

schemes

the

appeared

Scotia,
the

the

south, while

and

convenient

has

will fall of

did

have
so

ripe.
"

not

itself.'

The
an

left alone
and

an

the

sword

asked
to

he

phrase

be

States

always

directed

still in

When

that

United

the

the

north

Canada,

as

portant
im-

Nova
'

secretary,

the

Spain

why, then,
the

Florida

with

the

supposed
was

admission

invitation

wrote

astonishment

my

were

little

made

replied the

come

no

is

pear

but

ripe

it

"

answered,

if

!'

had

Madison,"

territories,such

yet

shaking

because

"

have, should
there

Doubtless

Turreau

violent
must

'

etc.

moment

Had

to

Mr.

which

aggrandizement

sures.
mea-

methods.

to

express

despatch,

same

of

government
toward

to

dent
Presi-

the

he

but

to

Spanish

of warlike

thought
keen,

was

begun

before

months

short-sightedness.Madison

for

effort to
"

vision

had

policyof

the

the

abandoned

wholly

excuse

and

three

than

more

Cabinet

his

and

President

the

early in July, 1805,

written

were

an

that
had

of France.

candor,

same

Florida

admission
Florida
as

to

Turreau

gave

so

pear-tree,Madison

the

been

to Turreau

Madison

he

to

be

pear

and
would

strong

that

an

tion,
invita-

have
as

been

England

interposewith safety
could

not

doubt

the

86

effect of
had

his

the

July, 1805,
these

he

that

Floridas

the

urged Napoleon to take

hand
his own
solelyto
"

in

stop

can

arrest

also

Cuba

and

American

check

alone

I believe that France

to

Spanish property, but

of

petty larcenies

confident

Madison

told

only

not

4.

already become,

minister

French

new

CH.

So

interference.

blunt

own

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

into

aggression.
can
Ameri-

these

and baffle (dejouer)their plan."

enterprises
Turreau's discipline
Had
stopped there,much might
said in his favor; but in regard to still
have been
mands
deused
he
matter
another
expressionsand made

such

Madison

as

had

yet

never

from

heard

experience
diplomaticagent, although the secretary's
Neither Yrujo nor
Merry
was
already considerable.
in giving to their remonstrances
succeeded
or
had
requests the abruptness of Napoleon's style.
The
Federalist newspapers
during Jefferson's first
for charging him with
had found so little reason
term
subservience

nearlylost

had

whose

nor

the

had

thought

that

British

Napoleon
1805-1806
a

the

or

did

certain

and

his

outraged by

their while
led

was

share

doctrine
of

until

but

detested
in

proach
re-

the New

withdraw,
newspapers

love

of French

of France

to

to press

strength;

friends,who

the conduct

Not

stale

plundered,

British

astray by

Empire.

the

had

consented
or

and

Neither

France

government

it worth

Jefferson

this old

weight.

Jefferson

claims

and

its

whom

merchants

England

that

France,

to

the
or

the

charge
of

winter

influence
as

of

fear

John

Madison,

cover
re-

dolph
Ranwere

Spanish affairs,

FRANCE

BETWEEN

AND

the whole

Timothy Pickering and

the dumb

In

jmingo.

iw

of

vote

both

Domingo
colony of

France.

of

)risoners

war

which

rested

to

their

Although

St.

with

the

was

and

name

trade

the

victim.

in international
Rochambeau

sur-

his few

and
to

of Federal-

exasperated by

Madison

still in

himself

jndered

regard

cases

was

body

the power

and

slaves,were

in

of France

mduct

St.

the South

hated

:s, who

87

ENGLAND.

the

remaining troops as
English in November, 1803 ;

although the negroes in January, 1804, proclaimed

held undisputed control
of
their independence, and
French

colony,while their ports were

open,
vessel bearing the flag of France
armed
and not an
a
blockade, yet Napoleon
pretended to maintain
claimed
that the island belonged to him.
General
Ferrand
still held points in the Spanish colony for
France, and defeated an invasion attempted by Dessalines ; nor
did any government betray a disposition
to recognize the black
tions
empire, or to establish relawith JDessalines or Christophe,or with a negro
republic. On the other hand, the trade of Hayti,
was
being profitable,
encouraged by every government
the whole

"

in turn

West

other

which
in company.

General
armed
number

York

; but

of
with

it was,

even

than

more

Indian

trade,unprotected by law, the

carried

it

usuallyarmed,

were

In the winter

Turreau's
with

because

arrival

eighty cannon
seven

cargoes

of
at

and

1804-1805,

and

sailed

soon

after

Washington,
carryingcrews

hundred

men,

which

included

set

sels
ves-

flotilla
to

sail from

contraband

the
New

of

war

HISTORY

for
A

him

assured

who

STATES.

that

would

law

CH.

with

remonstrated

Turreau

of all kinds.

UNITED

THE

OF

correctingthis abuse.
Bill was
accordinglyreported;

Madison,

be

soon

it

but

4.

reported

prohibited

and
commerce
put the trade under
only the armed
To answer
Turreau's
heavy bonds for good behavior.
objectthe trade must be prohibitedaltogether. Dr.
Logan, one of the senators from Pennsylvania,who

democrats, with

led the Northern

amendment

Burr
and

amendment,

the

of the

return

celebrated

the
drank

Another

Hayti.

in

health

Ferrand

stronglyagainstFerrand.
Turreau

1805)
2

to

Archives

State

Talleyrand,30
des Aff.

Papers,ii.728.

of the

Vice-

One

given

were

themselves.
New

York,

public dinner, and

to

the

severe

Madison
armed

of

government

reported to

Germinal, An

Etr., MSS.

his Government.1

to

flotilla to

issued

against the trade,2and

matters

expedition was

General

closely

still open.

merchants

Haytian
a

so

was

public,and

the

event

commerce

against Dr. Logan's

trade

were

notoriety by

company

of

ate.
Sen-

accordinglypassed, March

unarmed

facts

The

they

Bill

the

voice

duly reported these

Turreau

needless

his

gave

3, 1805, leaving the

the

kind

require the casting vote

to

as

an

before the

came

Senate

the

; and

Domingo

President.

On

it

port,
sup-

moved

negroes,

proposed to prohibitevery

St.

divided

Haytian

Bill when

the

to

He
with

the

hostilityto

in

the "Aurora's"

be

paring.
pre-

tions
proclamaremonstrated

American
xiii.

ves-

(April 20,

FRANCE

BETWEEN

carried

had

il,which

three

taken

was
[aytians,
[alifax,and

AND

by

British

condemned

there

of

cargoes

89

ENGLAND.

British

the

hy

from

in his

Italyand

Turreau's

received

request

minister

from

accredited

the

judgment

to

him

that

to

[at Halifax] ;

so

for

you

thing

that

enter
can

or
no

the

copy

declare

part in

good prize
ports of

with

be

to

St.

ence
indiffer-

against

allows

government

Americans

take

see

evidentlydirected

American

will

the

longer

it

stop (que cela

to

leave

American

to

I will declare

; that

shall

armaments

the

and

(indigne)in
brigands and to

scandalous

everything which
Domingo ; and
the

this

join

it is shameful

provide supplies

commerce

for

will

tion.
atten-

my

the

to

wrote

"

fixed

note

You

me.

it is time

that

finisse);

send

to

has

turned
re-

Boulogne,

at

camp

had

immediately

Washington

you

of

its

to the

despatch,and

from

despatch

dis-

protecting themselves

gone

to

were

emphatic styleto Talleyrand: l

own

"The

which

return

Madison

and

court

trade.

designs,the Emperor Napoleon,who

'rench

to

of

problem

the

ung

Jefferson

while

and

into

cruiser,sent

good prizefor carrying on an unlawful

Early in August, 1805, after Monroe's
mdon,

to the

powder

France

made

in

ports."
In

this

law
did

outburst

became
not

confused.

could
1

not

Napoleon

1805)

temper Napoleon's ideas

The

dispute his right to

tradingwith Hayti :
or

of

do
to

the

so, and

American
seize

for this

vessels

that he did not

he

reason

Talleyrand,22 Thermidor,

xi. 73.
; Correspondance.

government

American

was
difficulty

of

An

made

xiii.

the

(Aug. 10,

90

that

demand

American

the

STATES,

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

CH.

should

government

4.

help

powerlessto effect without

its aid.
Talleyrandimmediately wrote to Armstrong
he tried to put the Emperor's commands
a letter in which
into a shape more
diplomatic,by treatingthe
race, againstwhom
Haytians as enemies of the human
States should interpose
it was
right that the United
l
of hostility
with measures
:
him

doing what

in

he

was

"

"As

the

of

seriousness

the

complaint obliges his Majesty

shall enter

everythingwhich
the

occupied by

illicit and

once

of

take

will

States

and

that

the

to

its

put

tolerance

repressiveand

an

end

last

good prize

as

Domingo
he

it.

this

United

the

of

government

the

must

this

everything coming out,

all the

to

to

occasion

consider

to

part, against

contrary

nations, all

proper

and

on

which

into the part of St.

rebels,

himself

persuades

facts

principlesof
authoritative

This

system

at

commerce

measures

of

impunity

longer (ne pourrait

no

law

the

durer

davantage) ."
For

third

the
the

used

word

States.
he

must

he

was

stop

which
should
1

no

"

the

to

six months

the

President

President

had

Talleyrand
of the

been

Spanish claims ; then

public respect for Moreau

told

still

trade

which

would

within

must

Once

abandon

show

must

"

time

told

his

more

that
authoritatively

France

continue

in

was

British

obey Napoleon's order.

Talleyrandto Armstrong,
1805) ; State Papers,ii. 726.

29

unable
hands

to

if

ted
Unithat

that
;

he

he

finally
must

stop, and

Congress

Talleyrand directed

Thernridor,An

xiii. (Aug.

16,

FRANCE

BETWEEN

Washington the Emperor's reTurreau

accordinglyechoed in Madi-

lonstrance, and

the identical

ear

is

"

words,

last

must

indignation,received

his

to
letter,

91

ENGLAND.

at

repeat

to

irreau

AND

longer."l

no

no

answer

or

"tice.
Thus

the

at

2, 1805,

j.

luct of

serious

Spain

was

captured American
rights;

land

on

from

indignation.
in
difficulty
Britain

by

met

During

At

property

without

As

resistance

short

whole

year

the

"

York
"

Leander

the

England, and
board

named

the

Basil

mode

"

Turreau

State

to

Napoleon

had

not

without

enough

Powers, Great

two

could

declaration
conduct

worse.

The

be

of

of

properly
war.

England

blockade
"

intolerable,exasperating
had

most

Leander

Hall,

were

who

to

"

was

Madison,

Jan.

Papers,ii. 682-695.

of
and
even

naturallyfriendlyto
dread from a quarrel.
a
midshipman
young

in later years
and
service,

3, 1806

not

demands

hear

not

the

blockade,coming from

sions
incurconduct

"

of life he led in this

of the

cruisers

The

for

which

of

class,who
who

con-

frigates Cambrian

two

became

mercantile

On

the

by

The

pressed abrupt

these

the

it.

forces made

could

attitude

an

meet,

regard to treaty-

though Congress

changed steadilyfor
New

also

with

to

at will.2

Jefferson

dealing

was

Spanish

sea

armed

Texas

and

as

also took
no

hostile.

Spain,but

such

own

awaited

equally menacing,

was

onlysustained
of his

Congress

problems

Spanish

Florida

of France

when

moment

described
whose

British
; State

the

account

source,

was

Papers,ii. 726.

92

HISTORY

less liable than

of

we

ship

that

running

was

leisure

to

send

what

she

was

league

made

off

two

or

tide, and

their

boat

sometimes

dozen, and
a

CH.

the

authorityto

4.

charge

Every morning at daybreak," according to his story,1

set about
arrestingthe progress of all the vessels we
firingoff guns to the right and left to make
every

saw,

'

American

STATES.

exaggeration.
"

"

any

UNITED

THE

OF

worse

the

hours, sometimes

in

heave

to,

board

on

of.'

'

to

have

couple

or

of

wait

until

see,' in

we

had

lingo,

our

a
frequentlyknown
dozen, ships lying

port, losing their fair wind,

the
than

whole

all their

day,

market,

before

our

for

many

search

was

completed."

suspicionof French
ter
ownership, a chance expression in some
privateletfound and opened in the search, insured seizure,
a
for months, heavy costs,
to Halifax,detention
voyage
indefinite damage to vessel and
at best
cargo, and
demnation
release,with no small chance of re-seizure and coninformalityin

An

under
reach

rule before the

some

new

were

incident

vexations

of New

merchants

York

to

in truth

commerce

found

vexations

secured

These
the

on

courts
1

R.

whole
created

disliked

might always ask Government

but

ship could

port.

Such
the

papers,

state

of

them, the
to resent

its interest

If

war.

chants
mer-

them

in submission.

neutral

profits
; and
British
the
frigatesand admiralty
comparatively little scandal by in-

Fragments of Voyages and

N., F. R. S., London, 1856.

Travels,by Captain Basil Hall,

ice, while

the

Gallatin, and

the

nor

such

on
profitor popularity

the

to

bitterness

extreme

nothing

said

or

"

seaman

every

more

into

grow
the

have

cantile
mer-

risked

fortunately
severe,

whom

they had

In

submission.

officers took

words, the British

of

and

practice of impressment roused

the seafaringclasses,who
among

gain by

to

stake ; but

steadilybecame

their

in

meanwhile

had

officers

British

manders
com-

probably have

would

government

York

exercise

belligerentright by prescription.Neither
class

the

British

moderate

blockade

of neutral

habit

the

States would

United

the

the

practice. Had

plained
com-

of New

blockade

satisfied with

been
power,

grumbled and
neutralitysoothed

the

and

fixed

already a

allowed

and

profitsof

merchant,

offended

protectionfrom the
France.
Madison,

newspapers

the

but

their

as

privateersof Spain

iical

was

served

they

93

ENGLAND.

AND

FRANCE

BETWEEN

had

to

reason,

Hall's

of American

out

they

Basil

or

reason,
"

consider

sels
ves-

posed
sup-

British

subject, or whose country they guessed from dialect

or
appearance." By these impressments American
"

vessels

often

were

cast

away

or

short-handed, and

foundered.

greatlyirritated ;

were

owners

left

In
but

were

such

times
some-

cases

the

commonly

the
asperation
ex-

deeplyfelt by the laboring class

the families of seafaringmen.
and
The
verity
seamong
with which
enforced in 1805
impressment was
excited
hatred
toward
people who
England among
was

had

at

twenty

best
years

most

no

reason

to

afterward, when

love

her.

Basil

More

Hall

than

revisited

94

HISTORY

New
of

he

York,

ship, the
Not
only were
frankly admitted, they
until

"

Pitt's return

had

citizen

Madison

he

obtain

seized

ordered

The

but both

British

seamen,

year

or

Gallatin's

to

of

two

year

not

and

marine

at the rate

; and

of the

Gallatin to

five hundred

lost two

and

hard

to
service,
was

the

ber
num-

large
daily

so
were

the

mitted
ad-

national

largelymanned
by
dispense with them.
of about

Jefferson,April16, 1807

seventy

annual

two

increase,

British.

were

thousand

nage
ton-

four thousand

requiredto supply this

thousand

had

citizen

sailors who

were

to

man

American
calculation,1

after 1803

tons
men

could

and

increased

two

of disease

States

birth,

them

if the

died

mercantile

of

ralty,
British Admi-

the

American-born

the

of the United

hundred

his

sent

or

of British-born

marine

thousand

defence

subjectfor impressment,and
actuallytaken was never
persons

the number

According

the victims

prove

and

inquiry;

an

neither

American-born

an

to

but

no

of such

British

them

Among

year.

outrage ;

could

who

after
likely,

was

impressed ;

Where

transmitted

who

to be

about

liberties.

release.

thousand

people,nor even
body to fight in

killed in action

been

usage,

receiving the documents

which

as

as

been

on

Monroe,
not

cared

rights and

their

impressments increased

to power

President,Congress, nor
themselves,

harshly performed.

were

of intolerable

cases

were

4.

surprised to find the name

tation.
Leander," still held in detesthe duties harsh, but, as he

they averaged about

them

Cn.

not

was

his old

After

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

If the

five hundred
;

Works, i. 335.

men

annually by desertion or engagement

after recovering one
jrvice,even

States

United

uist
to

thousand

it ten

all her

they would
marine

mercan-

she

then

result

have

of

by sending

war

back

could

America

whom

seamen

protect

for whom

immediate

British

strengthen the

to

war

repart necessarily

most

The

employer.

other

no

to

seamen

flag,because

old

to their

the

for

fightingmust

good
hand, if

other

lose

same

seamen

made

navy

the

would

these

; and

le marine

irn

thousand

went

government

America

British seamen,

On

loss.

the

ily a fraction of
le

in the American

by impressment, the British

year

95

ENGLAND.

AND

FRANCE

BETWEEN

,.

no

longer employ.
Nations
rarelysubmit to injurywithout a motive.
the Republican party, if Timothy
If Jefferson and
Pickering and
New

and

of war,

idea

rejectedthe

it

themselves,

seamen

they found

because

was

This

greater interest in maintaining peace.

regarded England,

consisted,as
in

realized

protectedthis

navy

said

Americans
in the

but
of

summer

seaboard, from

Machias

and
do

"

The

news

Pitt

of

for

long

as

the

not

ish
Brit-

the

wealth,

impressments

thought

that

they knew

to ask

large profits

proper

suddenly the whole

to Norfolk, burst

demanded

something,

they seemed

1805

the

interest

of American

source

little about

and

this source,

in

freights.So

neutral

of Boston

merchants

George Cabot, the

the
York, and even

to

but
struct
ob-

American

President

what, but

into

citement,
ex-

should

at moments

war.

Sir William

Scott's decision

in

the

96

HISTORY

of the

case

"

OF

Essex

THE

"

UNITED

reached

STATES.

America

CH.

in the

4.

month

September,while the President and Madison were

selves
discussingan alliance with England to protect themagainstFrance and Spain. The announcement
that Great Britain had suddenly begun to seize American
at the moment
when
Jefferson
ships by scores
her willingness
most
counted
to oblige,
on
confidently
of

was

long

blow

the

Administration

so

severe

elapsed before either Jefferson

time

realized

to

its violence.

Their

minds

or

that

Madison
intent

were

on

Spanish problem ; and with the question of war

pressing upon them from the south,they did not at
once
perceivethat another war was
actuallydeclared
from
the north.
Jefferson
against their commerce
disliked
commercial
disputes,and gladly shut his
to their meaning; Madison
felt their importance,
eyes
but was
never
quick to meet an emergency.
near
Philadelphiaduring the autumn,
Merry was
when
Mrs. Madison's
illness obliged the secretaryto
remain
in that city. Early in September Merry wrote
that
the
to his Government
complete failure of
Monroe's
no
Spanish mission was
secret, and that
collision with Spain in West
Madison
expected some
Florida,but would wait for the meeting of Congress
before taking action.
Such a determination
the
on
sonant
part of the President,"continued Merry,1 is so conwith his usual caution and temporizingsystem
(to which the oppositionhere give the character
of timidityand
that I cannot
but be
irresolution),
the

"

"

Merry

to

Mulgrave, Sept.2, 1805;

MSS.

British Archives.

BETWEEN

1805.

FRANCE

AND

lisposedto give entire

lortlyafter the date of
British

lat the

jruisers

terry,who
lade

had

who

The

"

leasy.
excited

the

the

by

the

mtrary, considered
linst

altered

arrived

its rules in
that

them."

British

[adison could

position

own

it alreadywas,

and

clamor," he

became

wrote,1

England (which
such

on

cargoes

has

to

be

usual

premium) is rendered
events
expected,
having been totallyunmerchants
here having,on the
themselves
as
perfectlysecured

Merry

that

saw

of peace

midst

the

his

see

than

insurance

greater by such
and

to

from

news

dsed to four times

id in

wish

no

sensation

this

by

ilreadycaused
ie

despatch,news

and
carrying-trade,

uncomfortable

more

information."

everywhere seizing American

ships,
had not been forewarned
by Lord Mul-

were

*ave, and

the

to

government had

the neutral

jgardto

credit
this

97

ENGLAND.

hardly fail

taken

his
a

denounce

to

Government
which

measure
as

act

an

of

ister
Dreading a violent explosion,the British minwaited
anxiously; but, to his surprise,nothing
happened.
Although I have seen Mr. Madison twice
war.

"

since

the

engaged with
mention

to

account

this
it to

for

taught to

this

England
1
2

Merry

in
to

III.

to

the

Madison
overawe

Mulgrave, Sept.30, 1805

Ibid.
VOL.

has

"

been

so

much

thought proper
me."2
At
first Merry could not
he
silence; only by degrees was

that

order

public has

he
object,

it with

connect

understand

to

of the

attention

not

Spanish quarrel,and
hoped to conciliate
In this play
France.
;

MSS.

British

Archives.

98

government : 1
to this

the

British

"

had

I
place [Washington],

Madison,

alarm

to

4.

versation
con-

of Philadelphiato
quittedthe vicinity

Before

"

calculated

not

CH.

of Madison's

Merry's account

of cross-purposes
was

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

having
respectingthe
who

interview

an

received

then

detention

return

with

Mr.

from

accounts

Mr.

his

Majesty's ships
of their being
vessels in consequence
of several American
loaded with the produce of the enemy's colonies,brought
that subjectto me,
forward
speaking upon it,however,
Monroe

by

"

much

with

moderation

more

the sensation

and

country, I

this

for

is unnecessary
to

to endeavor

which

sentiments

his

of

this

on

which

observe

with

cargoes
which

procure

which

were

might

his

by

to

afterward

should
turned
had

Spain toward
less reserved
1

liberation

stopped

before

be

the
in

just been

some

efficacious

the

vessels

well

Our

; MSS.

trade

the

in

conversation

recent

Madison

sentiments

Merry to Mulgrave,Nov. 3, 1805

and

of those

as

regard to

Mr.

as

system adopted

new

received, of the

expressinghis

and

Monroe's

circumstances, the

this country, when

in

of

generallyknown.

upon

part

delivered

Mr.

far

me

place.

former

State

that

alreadydetained,as

Majesty's government

question
of which

be

the

taken

has

great temper,

by expressingonly a wish
it might prove
remonstrances
so
upon
least

to

principleupon

in the

concluded

at

the

Secretaryof

subject

ing
detail-

he made

vessels

those
to

American

this letter,the

of

Lordship by

your

improprietyof

the honor

I had

As

...

produced out
throughexpected on his part. It

observations

detention

bility,
irrita-

it had

have

the

his natural

from

to trouble

me

to prove

the

which

could

the several

you

than

than

accounts

conduct
was
on

of

much
former

British Archives.

FRANCE

BETWEEN

1805.

occasions, and

gave

AND

the

me

99

ENGLAND.

detail of

the

perfidious and

of the Spanish officers who

^nsolent proceedingsof some
at New
still remain
Orleans, and of others who
mand
com-

the

in

information

Havana,

supposed

to

be

destined

Orleans

two

of

toward

the

with

the
a

port
re-

considerable

Louisiana,
differences

still

governments

from

reinforce

to

Florida, and

not, he observed, fail to render

the

four

quantityof militarystores

garrisonsin East and West

which
prevailed at New^
force
advancing from Mexico
between

with

"

troops with

hundred
the

disputed territory, which, combined

received
he had
of the departure of

could

ing
subsist-

difficult of

more

accommodation."

This

conversation

took

the

place about

October,before the President had decided

in the acts of Spain and France.
As

middle
to
a

of

esce
acqui-

result of

high tone taken toward England in the winter

mildness
of 1803-1804, the secretary's
might well
not
surprisea British minister,who was
quick of
guage
comprehension,and requiredto be told in plainlanthe meaning of Madison's
No
manoeuvres.
had Merry returned
to Washington than
sooner
a
confidential person" was
sent
to him
to explain
the mystery : l
the

"

"

On

"

in

person
of

this

the

subject it

confidential

American

proper

been

situation

remarked
here

that

vessels

to

the

me

by

United

consideration

Merry to Mulgrave,Nov.

States
of the

3, 1805

and

of

the

detention

by his Majesty's ships

unseasonably to divert the attention

happened very
the people of the
from

has

has
of

Government

grievancesand injuries
:

MSS.

British Archives.

100

HISTORY

which,

they

have

Government

the

actually taken

the

that when

States

the
and

state

other

laid

is considered

mentioned, of what

proceeding

the

on

effect upon

the

feelingswhich
of

the

conduct

this

country."
"

Jefferson

part

so

unfriendlya

Britain, will have

of

"

person

Madison

Samuel

be

the

that

body by blunting
have
been
would
otherwise
excited by
Spain, supported by France, against

confidential
and

to

Great

of

resolutions

the

same

Kobert

which

United

the

4.

before Congress
by the President
aboveapproaching meeting, the circumstance

their

The

had

and

CH.

Spain, and

from

conceived

he

between

be

should

Powers
at

; and

STATES.

UNITED

disposed

were

relations

the

THE

experienced

to resent

measures

of

OF

Smith

on

usually employed by

such

errands

was

either

partlybecause both these

to officiousness,
a littleinclined
gentlemen were
partly
of the world, or what
because
Pichon
men
they were
hommes
called
the
fort polls." In this instance
probablythe Secretaryof the Navy. In
agent was
tellingthe British minister that the President had
to resent
the conduct
of
measures
already taken
because
unwise, not so much
Spain,this agent was
the assertion
because
was
as
incorrect,
Merry knew
In the same
better.
despatch,written Nov. 3, 1805,
of the President's
Merry informed his Government
hopes of an agreement with Spain,founded on the war
in Europe,
hopes which had been entertained only
ten days, since October 23.
He had the best reason
to be well informed
this subject,
for he drew his
on
information
directlyfrom Jefferson himself.
That Merry should have been exceedingly
perplexed
or

"

"

in

arrival

Two

wonder.

no

was

AND

FRANCE

BETWEEN

had

years

since

elapsed

when

Washington,

101

ENGLAND.

he

had

his
been

hly treated without sufficient reason, by Presient, Cabinet, and Congress ; and on returningto the
of 1805, immediately after
same
place in this autumn

cordiality.Immediately
20, he called at the White
British

Not

genial humor.
close concert

Upon

produce

lamented

his

on

view

to

most

British

existence

England

of

and

the

to

this

fleet from

proceed

to
to

it

the

my

me

with

had

they

to

this

ness
frank-

country

the

lation
accumu-

sustained

Congress

part of

the

hostile

situation of

naval

not

been

crossing the
with

render

and

force

might
to resent

affairs,he

He

Atlantic.

it necessary

great caution

Mulgrave, Nov. 3, 1805

the

and

; MSS.

said

for the
to
state

periority
su-

vigilance

possible to prevent

put their principalseaports in

Merry

great

possiblethat

was

the

to

return

on

affairs between

of

Majesty's

experience would

States

his

unfortunately [notwithstanding]the

officers,it had

enemy's

that

spoke

injurieswhich

that
of

he

state

resolution

With

them.

order

saying

the

of

this

finding

about

the

assumed

President

seeing the

my

Spain

his

of

in

said

was

alliance between

and

respecting the

of

Jefferson

find

word

place a fortnight ago,

and

October

States i1-

United
"

surprising

Instead

House.

outrages ; his conversation

a

with

his return, about

on

delighted to

was

received

nation, as

Merry

States

United

on

passion,denouncing Pitt and the

he might reasonablyhave expected,

in

the President

war

himself

he found

commerce,

made

had

Government

his

the
that

United

gain time,
of

in

defence,

British Archives.

102

of

had

he

which

for

already given

successively

and
which

in the

the

being

as

be

preservation of

the

Such

kept

be

longer

no

reported them

as

intended

Spanish

to

in

engaged

rule

new

would

be attacked,

however,

pressed
ex-

be

for

till it could

Power,
dishonor."

practical as

to

affect
but

government,

the

without

comment,

plan

in

or

State

book,

by Great

adopted

of

case

of

Secretary

pamphlet,

would,

to

Britain
,

act

an

was

Such

12, 1805,

Nov.

diplomatic
when

the

on

so

Monroe.
within

Congress
that
to

time

order.

that
was

the

Washington,

at

the

purchase

persistentlyrecommended

irresponsible creatures
to

of international

adopted Jefferson's

negotiations for

line

steadily rejected

situation

Cabinet

the

plan of reopening
Florida

violation

difficult.

not

was

the

was

faith,in

of bad
task

The

law.

the

and

of
and

Mexico,

President's

the

Florida,

constantly

Mulgrave

composing

the

that

so

Meanwhile

war.

would

event

Louisiana

He,

American

to Lord

express

them.

every

not

the

to

might

absolute

speculationswere

he

prove

with

without

Merry's antipathy

was

to

of

the

4.

possession

of

Gulf

voice

peace

the

Cuba,

island

that

individual

his

that

West

defence

conquest

easy

an

and

East

the

to

key

in which

manner

In

of

the

for

necessary

was

Florida,

Island

the

CH.

directions.

that

considered

he

hostilities

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

of

Talleyrand,
by

moment
to

meet

in

diplomatic

chaos

by
and

Madison

three

so

and

weeks,
must

of

be

and
duced
re-

Y.

CHAPTER

Madison

from

character

of

let him

that

In

broke

up

he

details of imminent
his

Considering the

of the

Ulm

at

Powers

to

once

who

will

Austerlitz.

and

his armies

war

diplomatic

vast

"

Paris, busy with

at

was

Europe, on the same

day, the
at Boulogne and set his
camp

toward

motion

in

the

it material

think
not

are

we

his orders."

Emperor

Jefferson,writing to

Monticello, said

Bonaparte, I

see

receive

army

President

27, 1805,

AUGUST

and

the

thousand
in

were

tember
Sepmotion,

taking

militaryplans were

shape.
do

to watch

except

Emperor's

the

visit from
who

but

minister

the

at

gentleman
with

who
him

arrangement
United

The

note
tone
1

and

the

between

Paris

had

little to

of events, when

course

absence

brought

at

Boulogne
had

he

the

outlines

States

and

written
of

that

Jefferson to Madison,

would

Aug. 27,

1805

awaken

Spain

Writings,iv.

an

Spain.

States, said this paper, should send

at Madrid, written
to the Government
manner

official position,

no

United

during

received

memorandum,

Talleyrand's hand, sketching

in

States

United

The

other
an-

in

from

585.

104

HISTORY

her

indifference.

should
a

STATES.

of

the

persistencein

his

course,

the

United

join with

CH.

Prince

the

this note

In

warned

be

follow

UNITED

THE

OF

Peace

that

consequences
and

of

5.

would

should

be

couraged
en-

States in

referring
in dispute. In case
to Napoleon the matters
Spain
would not unite 'in asking the good offices of France,
be sent by Armstrong to
of the note must
a
copy
Talleyrand,with a request for the good offices of
refer to the
decision
more
Napoleon. "The
you
and
of the Emperor, the more
sure
easy will be the
If Spain,on the Emperor's representasettlement."
tions,
to part with the Floridas,as she
should consent
to

no

would

doubt
terms

Louisiana;

Colorado

Rio

the

fall

into

Mississippi,as

the

boundary of Louisiana,

with

Florida

line

in

as

wardly,
northwest-

of all those

headwaters

including the
which

and

ing
follow-

the

propose

in
privileges

Commercial

would

do, France

the

rivers

western

each

thirtyleagues on

unoccupied forever ; the claims

spoliations,
against Spain, excluding the French
the Spanish colonies; and,
to be paid by bills on
dollars to be paid by the United
ten million
finally,
side

remain

to

States to

Spain.
the
on
spot.
Armstrong rejectedthe conditions
They sacrificed,he said,the whole country between
the
claim
the

Colorado
to

of

estimated

They

Rio

the

Bravo

claim

to

Florida, the

West

violation

claim,

and

gave

entrepot at
at

six
to

New

Spain

an

damages

Orleans,

millions,for

the

abandoned

French

accommodation

and

from
the

tions.
spoliafor

FLORIDA

tTHE
for

ars

the

exacted

they

what

beyond

payments

eptember 4, the day

argument
closed
It is

'

but

the

enormous

amount

to

two

arrangement

as

Is not

Spain.

of

On

of

and
thus

million

the

the

half

three

or

altered

orous
vig-

shoe

pinches.
dollars ; '
on

Spain

millions.

would

within

sum

Paris,

Frenchman

million

ten

to

sides

undisputed claims
a

this

both

but

where

see

Your

of ten

Napoleon's return

sum

seven

say

"

required;

expensive province,

pressed ;

was

by saying :

herself
sum

followed.

conversation

)ng

she

enormous

and

barren

105

MESSAGE.

leave

the

The

four

for

limits of moderation

?"

Armstrong replied that he had nothing

the money
to say on
diately
immetransaction,but would
transmit
to the
Talleyrand's memorandum
President.
His despatch on the subjectwas
ingly
accordsent, Sept.10, 1805.1
Armstrong had little acquaintance with the person
who
for his sole crebrought the memorandum
dential,
and
him
knew
only as a political
agent of
the

government,

not

on

unsigned

an
"

any

This

form

preferred on
proof of
of

the

who

authority from
document
of

seemed

Armstrong

in

of

account

minister's

rather
to

Archives.

his

To
an

claim

to

credit

the

Emperor, but on
Talleyrand'shandwriting.

communication

nothing else."

have

rested

he

said

greater security;

had
it

been
was

habitual

and
circumspection,
most
it might
Frenchmen
example of Talleyrand'ssup-

Madison, Sept. 10,

1805

MSS.

State

partment
De-

106

posed

for

taste

had
the

be

he

such

of

unused

what

of

States

did
the

not

5.

ernment
gov-

likelyto
Armstrong

was

; but

overtures

and
intrigue,

to

CH.

United

the

know

comprehension

the

above

to

reason

STATES.

UNITED

jobbery,and

outcome

not

was

THE

OF

HISTORY

affect virtue

societyin

which

lived.
A

his

fortnightafterward the Emperor left Paris for

While
patch
Armstrong's descampaign in Germany.

the

the

day

same

Washington, Napoleon

to

13

November

and

captured Ulm,
On

its way

still on

was

Vienna.

entered

despatch reached

United

the

States.
Jefferson's

barely come
to

to its

12

November

Florida

negotiationas

Talleyrand's memorandum
bargain, when
the
his terms.
Naturally,
fixing definitely
supposed that Florida might thenceforward
his

as

upon

At

own.

the

Cabinet

next

of their deliberation

French

arrived,
President
be looked

; and

in

recorded

was

the

his

own

"

'November

equivalent to
seven

fears

in order
1

sult
re-

Present

19.

the

same.

Since

"

of

ours

million

Spain by

to induce

Cabinet

nearly,except

her

He

dollars.
a

to

as

to

the

advises

vigorous language
join us

Memoranda, Nov.

in

sum,

that

and

appealing to

19, 1805; Jefferson

last

our

General
received a letter from
have
meeting we
containing Talleyrand'spropositions,which

the

cided
de-

he laid Armstrong's

letter before the four secretaries

hand

had

long-disputedconclusion,and

the

reopen

of

council

Cabinet

we

strong
Armare

he

quiring
re-

alarm

conduct,
the
MSS

inter-

FLORIDA

THE

of

jrence

the

possible.
'loridas

"f credit obtained

belt of

}ttle all
)illson

shall

our

that

agree

We

agree

colonies.

We

convention.

simple

after

three

years,

order

within

which

patrolthe country
River

being

as

in

aggress

; he

protect

and

to

settlement

the

unless

disturb

citizens

our

agree

all the Red

and

Sabine

to

in

Natchitoches

at

sions
inva-

preceding country by Spanish soldiers

without
offenders
shedding blood, unless

all

last,after

than

more

; to

his

executed."

be

otherwise

cannot

of

they

repel all

the

of

At

is not

he

ofif the

We

it.

pay

officer

the

about

redeemable

stock
can

Spain by

five millions

the

possession,except

our

Pierre, which
is to

we

this side the

on

Bayou

orders

time

kept
shall

broke

which

to pay

credit, by

commanding

the

to

of

vote

it to be

nothing

to say

propose

boundary,

from

payment

us

prop-

commissioners

joint

to take

to his

side of

each

vote

delivered

western

spoliationsin Spanish ports

former

take

agree

and
spoliations,

her

French

to

We

be

for the

by Spain,

country.

our

much

as

dollars

orders

thirtyleagues on
We

msettled.

the

to his

and

Colorado

the

"ition that
id

of

ratified

Congress,

from

surrender

the

"r

them

treaty is

the

modify

to

agree

five million

to pay

agree
as

now

accommodate

to

as

We

soon

as

We

Emperor.

so
)ropositioiis,

107

MESSAGE.

six

of

months

hesitation,

fixed ; and
since it conceded
Spanish policy was
had
been
required by France, the
every point which
President might reasonablyhope that his difficulties
a

were

an

to

Armstrong

Congress was
to
to

He

end.

at

pay
meet

so

did
at

within

once,

venture

because

to send

the

tions
instruc-

authorityof

before

needed

large a

not

sum

few

of

pledging the government

Congress was
; but
money

weeks,

and

Jefferson

could

108

OF

HISTORY

no

Britain.

was

Baltimore

and

despair,hearing

not

was

with

meddle

not

them

yet

the

than

England

talked

felt that

soon

with

but

under

first he

wish
had

he

The

which

that

Americans

held

which

ing-trade
carry-

Jefferson
should

commerce

did not

That

he should

alliance with

England
for

for

with

war

relied upon
; and

Great

no

had

to

object,did
From

coerce

when

come

natural

was

Britain.

his power

the time

incline to

the

her

by

some

applied. No one could longerdoubt

he had
Pitt meant
to keep what
taken,and that
British policywas
preconcertedwith deliberate

coercion

the

quite appalling,

about

circumstances, and

no

peaceablemeans
that

seizures,which

new

then

sum

matter

peace.

Spain in

war

and

rage

belong to
far stronger against
publicanger was
papers
against Spain,and although the newsincessantlyof a Spanish war, Jefferson
in prehe should find great difficulty
serving
a

British

Jefferson

to

quarrel,for

to

day of

with

ruin to their fairest fortunes.

carried

cared

frantic

were

every

losses

their

swelled
and

be delayed

greatlyrelieved to see the end

annoying imbroglio; the more, because he
longer shut his eyes to the conduct of Great
of Boston, New
adelphia,
merchants
The
York, Phil-

of this
could

not

5.

Year.

the New

President

The

CH.

instructions would

the

that

safelyassume
beyond

STATES.

UNITED

THE

must

be

purpose.

called at the State

When

he
or

Merry next
heard nothing more
the advantages of

about
a

the

Department
of Spain
misconduct

powerfulBritish

navy.

FLORIDA

THE
"

"

livelysensation

The

109

MESSAGE.

produced by

the

seizures,wrote

to have
2,
Mulgrave,1 December
appears
the honor
of writing
icreased considerably since I had
The
commercial
Lordship by the last mail.
your
have
held
lies at Philadelphia,Baltimore, and Norfolk
this subject,and
to resolutions
iblic meetings on
come

[erry

"

to

transmit

Government

the

to

public prints which

of
be

may

their

In

been

addition, my

excite

Madison

that

he

serious

light than

At

last

my

that

he

to

the

in

has

he

interview

had

flattered
your

liberation

of

and

sightin

that

with

taining
sus-

those
of

great

the

ure
meas-

view,

direct the whole

.

to these

as

national

treated
had

this
at

with

Lordship

circumstances, I

subject in

with

much

that

would

vessels

days

two
Mr.
not

ago,

Monroe's

only have

which

should

have
Mr.
more

first represented it to

him,

himself

conversations

recent

my

all the

be

organs
a

ticular
par-

Britain.

Lord,

find

to

sorry

the

as

complaints against Spain,

suspected,to

States

United

sorry to add

am

of late lost

indignationagainst Great
"

considered

are

have

the

injuries they allegeto

their trade.

daily in
Government

the

of

statements

of

he

me.

said

strances
remon-

produced
have

been

detained

previouslyto the 1st November, but that, as that

minister
had
in writing to his
been
promised an answer
of the matter
which
representations,the reconsideration
would
probably have taken place before a written answer
was
given might have induced his Majesty's government,
if not to give up entirely,
at least to modify to a tolerable
which
It was
degree, the principle upon
they acted.
in question had
true
that the answer
not as yet reached
had
he heard
him, nor
latelyfrom Mr. Monroe
; but he
had
from
authentic
an
recently received information
1

Merry

to

Mulgrave, Dec. 2, 1805

; MSS.

British

Archives.

110

HISTORY

though

not

strongest

apprehend

to

reason

made

be

writing should

STATES.

quarter, which

official

an

UNITED

THE

OF

the

on

subject,it

5.

him

the

reply at

all in

gave

if any

that

CH.

would

contain

nothing satisfactory."

"

sufficient
to

this

country,
effective

whatever

be

very

two

the

the
as
same
was

citizens

of

the

just claim of indemnity

losses they might sustain in
a

feared

he

considerable."

be

taken

to

seek

He

that

hinted

redress

these

that

would

measures

and

"

"

At

the

about
called

which

the

the

tility
hos-

although he
these measures,
not then foreshadow
Merry read
National Intelligencer
days afterward in the
and
Resolutions
Madison, in
speech in which
restrictions
1794, had urged commercial
year
States against the
the true policyof the United
British outrages. The motive of republication
plain.

would
did

of

government

of commercial

that

and

of it; and

consequence

the

act

an

have

States would

United

that

"

committed

had

on

Mysterious
authentic quarter was
scarcely
so
abrupt a change, but Merry
this point. The
on
secretary

minister

British

England

for

him

press

the

told

an

for

ground

awkwardly.

tone

"

from

information

failed

his

raised

Madison

in the
desk

"

time

same

Examination

course

of every

of the
senator

finished his pamphlet

Madison
of the

coming
and

British
session

member.

Doctrine,"
was

The

laid

on

book

creditable to his

and scholarly
qualities.
literary
Clear,calm, convincing,it left the British government

was

no

excuse

for its conduct; but, not

without

reason,

THE

Ill

MESSAGE.

Randolph objectedthat as an argument

pamphlet againsteight hundred
shilling

"hn
it

FLORIDA

tipsof

That

war.

Pitt

iced of his mistakes

could

:ceptNapoleon and Moreau

was

British

occasionallybe

certain ; but

was

it

had

no

con-

reasoners

vinced
coneffectually

ever

him.

President

the

Meanwhile

all Jefferson's

Of

than
Ninth

the

writings

Annual

the

had

none

Message
The

Congress.

his

prepared

Message.

livelier interest

the

meeting of
Inaugural, nine

at

Second

before,prepared the public for new

opinions; but the Message surprisedeven

months

looked for

surprises.

political
those

who

Second

The

Inauguralseemed
old Republican principlesto the common
to sweep
sage
Mesrubbish-heap of out-worn
politicaltoys. The
went
to announce
even
further, and seemed
that the theory of foreign affairs on
which
the
must
be
RepublicanAdministration
began its career
Jefferson

abandoned.

intended

it to

carry

such

meaning.
"The

love

of

peace,"

friends,1 " which

begun

is

entirelyin

left cheek
be

must

become
make
of

whea

right has
when

plunder

which

Jefferson to

are

to

of

been

and

smitten.

just occasion
all nations.

of

one

opinion in Europe that

and
Quaker principles,

part of the political

system

Europe
1

the

corrected

the
no

an

wrote

sincerelyfeel

we

produce

to

he

profess,
our

arises,or

of those

moral

has

the

opinion
we

shall
duties

governments

habituallybelligerent."

Judge Cooper,Feb. 18, 1806;

old

ment
govern-

will turn
This

The

his

Jefferson MSS.

112

HISTORY

OF

STATES.

UNITED

THE

Message began by an allusion

it quickly turned
fever; from which

to

the

to

discuss

The

of

greater scourge
"

has

and

watched

harbors

our

of

; some

without

them

others

commissions,

The

commissions.

carried

in

neither

founded

of nations.

issue.

Louisiana

of

seized

and

and

the

former

and

this

the
their

the

by

give

orders

readiness

to

this country and

In

the

that

of

belligerentPowers,

the

ciples,
prin-

nations,

in the

up

that
at

to

to

repel by

arms

the state

of

moderation,

the

length
be

in

any

between

another

injuries from

ernment.
gov-

necessary

things

subject of

of

by Spain,

frontier

details

been

parts

very

that

Other

these

have

it necessary

on

roads
In-

...

territories of

soldiers of

and

shall be the

the

delivered

found

reviewing

of

to.

citizens

our

future.

full information

great

acceded

citizens and

our

the

ment
acknowledg-

or

had

into

made

troops

.similar aggressions in
for your

been

not

therefore

protect

has

negotiationsfor

our

actuallybeen

our

our

satisfactory
daries
adjustingamicably the boun-

regular officers
to

but
their

New

usage

property plundered

I have
to

ships,to

not

Mississippi;
had

which

the

have

recently been

have

Orleans

have

legal form,

the law

legal
il-

with

some

commerce.

Spain

Propositionsfor

With

differences

of

settlement

sels
ves-

seeking enemies,

interpolatedinto

been

authority of

armed

our

justicenor

of

the

color of

by public

been

too, have

have

coasts

system of hovering on

oppression of

and

annoyance

those

beyond

under

on

the

by private armed,

with

same

harbors,

and
also

been

yellow

lations
foreign re-

our

commissions,

committing piraticalacts
coasts

of

last

our

5.

"

meeting the aspect

considerablychanged. Our

Since

infested

war

CH.

some

munication.
com-

of

firmness, and

produce

all be

that

time,

interest

of

estimate

correct

Legislaturewill
still to

ought

We

action.

the

of

wisdom

the

justicewe

the

113

MESSAGE.

FLORIDA

THE

1805.

are

hope

well

as

bound

as

to

of

called
and

into
more

character, will
; but

expect

should

appoint
by false calculations, and dismust
that
join in the unproexpectation,we
fitable
do the other
of trying which
contest
party can
harm.
Some
of these injuriesmay
the most
perhaps
is competent
that
admit
a
peaceable remedy. Where
it is
of

lead

itself

deceive

nation

any

the

most

to be

met

always
nature

desirable.
force

by

But

of

some

only,and

them

all of them

are

may

to it."

From

this

infer that

preamble

measures

the

of force

public would
to be

were

the

naturally

objectof
Spanish

promised in regard to
specialmessage
aggressions.As though to leave no doubt on the
ports,
subject,the President urged the fortification of seathe buildingof gun-boats, the organizationof
and
militia,the prohibitionof the export of arms
the

; and

ammunition

added

that the

materials

for building

hand.
on
shipsof the line were
All this formality
of belligerent
languagewas little
Jefferson
could hardly be
better than
comedy.
charged with a wish to deceive,since he could not
wear

the mask

of

amused

deception.

friends and

mies
ene-

naturallyhe betrayed
which his plan required should be concealed.
objects
In the first draft of the Message, sent for correction
to Gallatin,
the financial prospect was
as
pacificas
the diplomaticwas
warlike ; the Message not only
announced
a
surplusfor the coming year, but sugwere

VOL.

III.

"

to

see

how

Both

114

THE

OF

HISTORY

gested the reduction of

that the English seizures
and

diminish

and

million
hint

the

at

it out.1

struck

parts of
in

and

"As

time

same

made

draft for
"On

with
revisal,

reviewing

Britain

and

with

notice

of

toward
have

found

the

lessen

Spain

was

therefore

the

been

effect which

given

more

once

ous
seri-

us

recommend

we

at

resources."

The

returned

the

"

it too

to

for

latter,and

meant

at

think

can

our

greater enormity of

the

right might

note
had

what

Spain,

compared

of

As

foreignnations, it
intended
by other

and
corrections,
a

dollars to

dollars.

They never
if
to resist,

these

its estimates

taxes, Gallatin

diminution

nue,
reve-

still further

thousand
fifty

of

5.

pointed out

increased

it relates to

intentions

any

CH.

affect the

seventy thousand

Message.

the

President

had

certainlydestroy the effect

will

the

alone would

reduction

Gallatin

taxes.

navy

six hundred

from
one

the

while

it;

STATES.

of retaliation would

measure

any

UNITED

prepared
soft

toward

that

so

British
the

to

Great

the

mer
for-

temperate
invasions

of

strong language

produce

at

force

the

to

as

the

Tuileries.

strictures

on

Britain."

In

guage
the strong lanstudying "the effect which
toward
meant
to produce at the
Spain was
Jefferson had in mind
the effect which
hi*
Tuileries,"
strong language produced at the Tuileries in 1803.
1

Gallatin

to

Nov.
Jefferson,

21, 1805; Gallatin's Writings,

i. 261.
2

Jefferson

i. 264.

to

Gallatin,Nov.

24, 1805; Gallatin's Writing

THE

playeda

[e

and

honest

an

was

alike

him

taken

the

have

told

would

he

Powers

of

would

the

publicinto
to

war

to

ports, abandon

her
and

implied no

disgrace;

alternative

to

would

if

the

great

injure America,
her

let the

Such

world

elsewhere.

the

policyit proclaimed was

as

the

radical

an

doctrine

she
shut

commerce,

rob

; and

war

that

continent,and

own

son
Jeffer-

circumstances

no

but

an

false ;

and

he
confidence,

under

the

Gestures

If President

his

combined

Europe

murder

putting on

Garrick.

and

ridicule.

to

consent

herself within
outside

face

Talleyrand,he resembled

people that

close her

in

unnatural,awkward,

were

they exposed

and

man,

imitating Talma

tones

had

of

appearance

lateur

in the

hy factious opposition in the

being unsafe, it was unfair to himself,

Besides

itward

safe

derided

jtrayed or
ifferson

hardly

Godoy, Talleyrand,and Napoleon, whose

not
force,and was
chieflyused to cover

was

lesse

115

MESSAGE.

of finesse

game

like

men

FLORIDA

avowal
the

of the

not only that which

was
Republican party, the course
Jefferson
meant
to take,but it was
that which
he
took.
The avowal
might have invited aggression,and
have
followed
been
by failure ; but he would have
done better to fail on a direct issue of principle,
than
to fail after evading the issue until the issue itself

lost.

was

To
two

it,an

carry out his

policies,
"

ostensible

scheme, the President

public and
and

of the

real

Annual

a
one.

secret

; or,

The

Message

put forward
as

he

warlike
were

the

called
mendations
recom-

public

116

HISTORY

and

ostensible
in

OF

coming

this

his

attention

only

; but

he found
his

had

he

replieswhich

Congress

at

After

writing a

secret

in

the

turned

had

double

return
two

not
to

measures

series of
him.

to

He

in

answers

asking for

message

pressed
ex-

quickly involved

to

5.

advance.

next

series of

was

be

to

creating. He
frame

to

combine

first to

tried

himself

CH.

was

President

own

Congress, but

one

announced

double

STATES.

real

the

message

recommend

to

the

message,

complicationsof

in

UNITED

policy;

secret

To

THE

one.

money

to

buy Florida,he drafted a series of Resolutions l which

to adopt in reply to both
at
Congress was
messages
in which

and

once,

Senate

their

by

do

the citizens of the United

"

and

Representativesin Congress assembled,

pledge their

lives and

the line of the Sabine

the

the free

and

"

fortunes

tain
to main-

navigationof

while the President

Mobile,pending negotiations,
be authorized

should

might

these

Resolutions

Clearlythis
to set the
The

"

to take

lie in the

moneys

into

would

matter

whatever

to the

blend

the

which

have

three

unappropriated

Treasury in

order

to

carry

effect.

do;

not

and

Gallatin

undertook

right.

in framing
apparent difficulty

he wrote

States,

President,2

"

arises

objects together.

induced

the

Jefferson to Gallatin:

President

the

from

Resolutions,"
the

The

send

attempt

same

to

reasons

two

distinct

Spanish Resolutions,1805;

Gallatin's

to

Writings,i. 277.
2

Gallatin

i. 278.

to

Jefferson,Dec.

3, 1805; Gallatin's

Writings,

should

Congress

that

affairs,which

steps which

appear

should

not

be

only to

effect

to the

the

public Resolutions

from

the

with

of

the

President

necessary

those

the

the

proceedings

sense

take

to

on

Spanish

national

the

to express

immediately

private ones

posture

war

enable

to

mixed
an

that

distinct

intended

are

subject, and

that

on

relate

which

those

be

117

MESSAGE.

it necessary

render

messages
of

FLORIDA

THE

1805.

the

frontier,

calculated

accommodation."

Secretaryof

the

Treasury frequentlycorrected
hinted a correction.
and still more
his chief,
frequently
passed since Jefferson had
Only a few days had
spoken to Gallatin of the
strong language toward
meant
to produce an
effect at the TuilSpain as
and spoke of the
eries." Gallatin ignored this object,
Spain as intended to express
strong language toward
the national sense, and as restricted in its bearing to
for protectingthe
the steps immediately necessary
frontier.
The difference was
worth
noting. Evidently
Gallatin felt no
great confidence in producing an
The

"

"

"

the

effect on
"

The

Tuileries.

course

preciselythat
the

when
.

House.

President
to this

in the

he

purchase

To

follow

best, but

will

also,

smoothest

mode

of

as

going

was

in very
course

founded

doing

the

adopted by

the

brought in a
justifythe
support and

to

similar

tion
public Resolu-

while

mean

appropriation law

and

is

ness
busi-

Louisiana
A

by Randolph,

report sufficient

in the

an

added.

moved

committee

confidential

withdrawn.

"

continued,

in the

followed

was

deposit was

was

which

he

recommended,"

now

to

attempt,

general
appears

on

business

terms
not

precedent,
in

be

and
was

only
the

Congress."

118

double

messages

double

The

which

secrecy

act with

it had

shown

of its readiness

and

to

could

nations

Yet

about

swing

the

so,

quickness

same

no

gress
Con-

out.

in the Louisiana

do

wrought

to

expect.

to

anger

little was
and

gone

had

written

the

not

course

on

led

been

been

5.

and

business

in the Cabinet

one

to doubt.

seemed

had

CH.

sketched

were

answers

to

only

had

STATES.

DOTTED

adopted Gallatin's suggestions.1The

and peace
were
breathing war
pared.
pre-

President

The

THE

OF

HISTORY

individuals

readilyas
oppositeto that
so

The

American

publiclyknown.
Marquis Yrujo had
; but

the

they

public had
Of

against Spain.

in newspapers

which

Monroe

the
had

tiations
negocome,

remonstrated, and

rightsand

wrongs

Spanish dispute remained a mystery to the

jected
publicat large,which knew only that Spain had reall the offers made
by the United States,had
her
resumed
depredationson American
commerce,
taken a menacing attitude at Mobile and on
had
and
the
Sabine.
Throughout the year the Republican
of the

Washington,
The

all

make

light of

which

misled

had

the
for

power

England's
to

would

as

not

conduct.

Gallatin,Dec.

at

rupture with Spain.

shown

British

the Federalist

party in

Jefferson

i. 281.

late

the

England such

of

had

Government

the

looking toward

newspapers

same

from

hints

followed

had

press

at

first

seizures,
"

press
never

seemed
The

into
have

wish

a
a

to

course

denunciations
risked

been

gize
disposedto apolocountry

at

large

4, 1805; Gallatin's Writings,

THE

hear

prepared to

ras

119

MESSAGE.

FLORIDA

President

the

advise

rupture

Spain,and upon that rupture to found his hope

The warlike tone
with Pitt.
in negotiating
"f success
rith

"f the Annual

Message
this

strength to

on

icssage
lent

No

could

The

ippear.

in
[uarrels,

last session

which

factions ;

party

partiesin
public knew
the

3yond

Three

As

he

that

stage

done

session
Yazoo

the
of

rational

"

had

series of

almost

been

nothing to
had

much

done
"

Aurora

reunite
to

announced

before the

torn

between

of

Congress ;
question

"

had
and

argument,

and

the

passed
had

be-

personaldevotion,the stepping-stone

proscriptionwith

or

by

the

next

election of 1808

Virginia feud,
"

President.

Congress was
struggle for

John

Randolph and James Madison.

Jefferson
though to hurry and prolong this struggle,
announced, after his second inauguration,that

should

1809.

in

first

"

the next

years

already
power

ended

distinctions

Already the

the test of
favor

tone

tions,
the relato determine
question was
the characters,and the strength
principles,

of

to

would

Yazoo

the

jome

confusion

contrary, it

the

on

had

had

summer

riden the breach.

lat the

might

change of

secret

the

where

doubt

forgotten. The
ie

Jefferson

his followers.

among
one

give additional

in the special
immediately afterward
Spanish affairs would produce bewilder-

taken

be

sudden

to

and

expectation
;

that the

foreseen

ive

certain

was

retire at the

Without

his successor,

close

of his term, March

expressly recommending Madison

his

strong personalattachment

4,
as

insured

120

THE

OF

HISTORY

STATES.

UNITED

CH.

5.

ecutive
weight of Exwhole
influence.
The
needed.
weight was
The
qualities,was
secretary,with all his amiable
controllingthe voice of Virginia. His
very far from
the Northern
democrats,
strength lay rather among
Yazoo
semi-Federalists,or
men," as they were
called,who leaned toward him because he, of all the
least Virginian. His dipprominent Virginians,was
lomatic
triumph in buying Louisiana had given him
his rivals ; but even
his reputaan
tion
easy advantage over
might sink with the failure of the Spanish treaty
and the aggression of England.
the

to

State

Secretary of

whole

the

No

of

course

President

on

timid

not

Madison

question,as

same

pardoned

who

as

Randolph

when

to be

he

dalliance

Madison

modest,

with

quiet

marked

taste

for

character

wrote

of

with

Federalism

was

in

malice

closet

person
in

his

should

Madison

always

was

on

the

Administration,

irritant.

an

apt

was

followed

had

Madison's

Virginia Resolutions

the

himself.

or

Jefferson's first

surprisethat
John
Randolph

cautious, if

and

the men,

feel

could
act

knew

who

one

both

sides

the

"

1798
in

was

in

tremes.
ex-

of the

Federalist
;
no

"

Randolph
one

but

small, retiring,
humor, and with

politicsand

delicate

agement;
man-

tall in stature, abrupt in

Randolph was
in temper, sarcastic,with a
self-asserting
manner,
and a vehement
tempt
conpronounced taste for publicity,
for those silent influences which
more
practical
called legitimateand necessary, but which
politicians
he could
control them, called
not
Randolph, when

Jefferson

pt.

could

one

deny

Madison

Just

the

as

of the

seemed

him

to

criticism

out

of

as
where-

House,

place

a
no

was,

much

White

in

himself

was

seemed

Randolph

that

"

declaimer

the

back-stairs

the

place on

man."

back-stairs

regard to what
influence, We

back-stairs

as

this while

heard

never

in

remarked,

soon

denounced

Randolph

121

MESSAGE.

FLORIDA

THE

else.

nowhere

read,
Randolph must
Spanish papers, which
tary
his respect for the Secrenot likelyto increase
were
of State ; while
Madison's
a
candidacy made
for
those
counter-movement
Virginians
necessary
not be dragged at the heels of the Northern
who would
democracy.
of December
Long before the month
Randolph
foresaw the coming trouble.
The Yazoo
in the
men
Ninth
than ever
more
numerous
Congress were
; and
credited
with
the wish
to ejectSpeaker
they were
The

from

Macon

the

in

democrat
Committee

Randolph
look

"I

with

no

wrote

to

forward

very

Gallatin

an

to

the

of

the

spectator.

Mr.

Jefferson's

resolution

the

premature

annunciation

Jefferson

to

to

the

session
say

of

hope

to

be

of

"

Congress

as

of

the

acquired,
ders
blun-

quiet,

if not

regret exceedingly

retire,and
that

Bidwell,July 5, 1806

bickering and

...

of

25, 1805,

nothing

well

as

of the

head

Oct.

To

place, natural

which, however,

Northern

some

Bizarre

ensuing

pleasant feelings.

unconcerned,

put

from

anticipatea plentifulharvest
; of

to

Randolph's place at
of Ways
and
Means.

disadvantages
I

chair, and

almost

as

determination.

Writings,v.

14.

much
It

122

HISTORY

almost

Monroe

the

it will set

succeed

would

House, but

must

CH.

to

foot.

on

him, my

5.

ing
say nothIf I

were

regret would

could

dissension

Intrigue and

STATES.

his purpose,

of

diminished."

much

very

UNITED

intrigueswhich

the

that

be

THE

revision

precludes a

of
sure

OF

spread

the

to

be

not

confined

Senate,and

to

could

the Cabinet.
While
Galhardly fail to affect even
latin's personalsympathies were
with
Madison, his
the
bias was
old
The
on
opposite side.
political
Republicans,with John Randolph at their head, had
agance
protectedthe Treasury from jobs and extravsteadily
their help Gallatin would
lie at the
; without
of the Northern
hind
not bedemocrats, who were
mercy
the Federalists in their willingnessto spend
He
the
might expect an alliance between
money.
Northern

democrats

controlled

the
he

Smith

the

and

To

Navy Department.
foreseen

have

must

faction

that

such

which
a

Madison

bination
com-

would

yield.
In

face of such

the

hazardous

more

Madison's

latent feuds

than

interests,a

the

could

when

moment

begin

Madison

was

even

on

the

with

war

upon

responsiblefor
would chargehim

without
1

such
Adams's

upon

secret

would

be

dollars,at
required

England.

these
with

attacks from

Kandolph, p.

measures

the
his
161.

that

assurance

five million

Congress

commercial

his enemies
and

bribed

be

Congress, in
tortuous, complicated

new,

Spanish policy,turning
France

spring

to

nothing could be

to

Whether
or

not,

responsibility
;
own

party,he

THE

ras

FLORIDA

strugglingwith

123

MESSAGE.

enemies

enough

to have

crushed

in

drama

Fefferson himself.

Early in December, all

sembled, to play another

the

actors

act

in

the

tragi-comedyof
With
his old sanguine hopes,
icreasinginterest.
the President
)ut not with all his old self-confidence,
them
watched
slowlyarrive, Democrats, Federalists,
Southern
Republicans,all equally ignorant of what
had been done, and what
they were
expected to do;
and
but more
curious, better-informed,
more
sharpsighted than these, the three diplomatists,Turreau,
Merry, and Yrujo,waiting with undisguised contempt
what
to see
to be employed
species of coercion was
againstEngland, France, and Spain.
To impose on
hostile forces and interests the compulsion
of a singlewill was
the task and triumph of
which
the true
had
been
politician,
accomplished,
a

"

under

difficult

conditions,by

politicalleader

of

men

be

might

acters.
opposite charcombative

and

despotic,or pliant and conciliatory.The method

mattered
but
little,provided it obtained success,
"

success

depended

more

In the winter

on

of 1805-1806

dealt

with

been

required to solve.

with

violent

ranks

such

face

party ; but
hostile

as

Other

oppositionboth

of their

obligedto
time

problem

character

no

than

on

President
few

other

Jefferson

Americans

Presidents

within

vres.
manoeu-

and

have
without

President

have
met

the

has been

lent
minority,together with viofactiousness in the majority,and
at the same
a
spiritof aggressionshowing itself in acts of
a

124

from

war

what

By

of

three

the

Jefferson

skill

crisis

"

"

Some

1805.

All

might

could
three
The

go

if

well

governments
three

hand,

driftinginto

becoming
the Federalist

ever

it

in December,

was

alone

faction at home

England, France,

obliged to respect

be

President

abroad.

violence

and

If

5.

Europe.

energeticimpulse could

country from

the

save

close at

seemed

of

from

foretell.

chaos,only a prophetcould

CH.

character

or

this disorder

to restrain

was

Powers

greatest

of

resources

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

envoys

law.

Jefferson's

was

waited

to

To

Spain

restrain

most

what

see

and

these
need.

urgent

act of energy

he

devise to break

through the net which had been

Turreau
drawn
about him.
dence
enjoyedmost of his confiafter the meeting of Congress,at the
; and soon
Jefferson was
time when
guage
publiclyusing strong lantoward
to produce an
effect at
Spain,"meant
wrote
the Tuileries,Turreau
accounts
of
interesting
for the guidance of Talleyhis private conversation
rand
and Napoleon:1
would

"

"

One

"

the

true

escaped
4

President

with

see

of the

sense

the

able

to

Turreau

"tr. MSS.

balance

from

'

that

we

our
no

to

here.'

with

have

kind

of

be

Talleyrand,Jan. 20, 1806;

me.

dency
ten-

interest

agricultural
essentially
be

never

In
...

people

to

which

words

some

other

should

will
yet agriculture

interest

regard

private conversation

which

commerce

and

secondary

in

in

inferences

some

Message

pain,'he said,

toward
will be

draw

perhaps

may

more

than

preceding
Archives

inter-

des

Aff.

invited

President

the

view

After

affairs.

and

protection which

the

Jefferson

regard

in

Americans

within

consequence,

these

steps, and

could

not

It

etc.

for the

five

that

his

to

Jefferson,

had

never

depart

trols
pain

As

point.
have

been

that

they

have

could

been

at

with

America

try,
In

'

war

against

as

that

neutrality should

hand,

we

do

not

respect,' added
shall

we

respected.
and

"

icans,
Amer-

and

everywhere,

be

war,

the

which

commerce

want

detested,'

so

reproaches
me

two

iards
Span-

these

this

on

the

they

our

not

him

principles from
have

subalterns

between
'

replied

; that

everywhere
other

the

ships

rights.

people

our

ours

authorized

few

added,

and

not

assured

they

have

we

Spanish

government

in vain

would

'

their

has

destroy neutral

Mr.

he

but,'

American

England

of

contradict

He

harm

more

of

had

differences

complaints

hundred

griefs of

Louisiana.

mistakes

to

serious.

taken

done

true

easy

English,
more

yet

not

was

much

have

the

stupid (Mtes),

so

are

is

That

'

the

excursions

territoryof

serious

produce

Powers.

on

to

provisionallyestablished, and,

the

that

Spanish privateers

Spain granted

expanded

some

Spanish

of

about

Spanish government

the

doubtless

that

to

limits

the

beyond

discussion

complaints

some

particular,Mr.

in

to

me

125

MESSAGE.

FLORIDA

THE

On

the

all this

is very

have

affected

"

embarrassing.'
Turreau's
the

these words

on

policyof Napoleon, as

weight
"

the

comment

If
man

enough

with

Talleyrand:

your

Excellency

and

his

to enable

to

certainlyhave

it must

had

"

was

not

government,
you

may

judge

already acquainted

with

would

be

this

the

last
one

phrase

and

the other."

CHAPTER

Ninth

THE

Congress

VI.

2, 1805.

Dec.

met

During

no

Congress contain a smaller

than
members
of remarkable
number
during the two
administrations
of Jefferson,from 1801 to 1809 ; and
period of eight years

did

left out of
oppositionwere
gress
view, the American
people had in the Ninth Conhardly a single representative,
except John
Randolph, capable of controllingany vote but his
In the Senate, when
own.
George Clinton took his

few

if the

seat

Federalists

in

Vice-President,he

as

before

saw

him,

the

among

senators, not less than twenty-seven who

thirty-four
these twentybelonged to his own
party ; yet among
of the Senate was
not one
seven
Republican members
lived.
whose
Senator Bradley of Vermont
name
cised
exercertain

New

York,

B. Giles of

Jackson

of

or

Samuel

Georgia.

to their

gave
back

to

it.

Smith

day,like

of

These
men

office than

them

more

Baldwin
the

were

whose
to their

weight

Dr. Mitchill

Maryland,

Virginia,or Abraham

Senate, but they were

more

in his

influence

or

the

they

Breckenridge of Kentucky

James

leaders

genius ;

than

William

and

influence

of the

was

due

ment
Govern-

could

had

of

give

become

his

and
attorney-general,

could

found

be

seat

Senate

whole

the

In

Adair.

filled

was

not

defend

to

competent

by John

Republican

or

have

ber
mem-

difficult

Gallatin

as
diplomaticmeasure
could have done it,or would

financial

127

ACT.

TWO-MILLION

THE

1805.

or

son
Madi-

wished

it to

done.

be

In

could count

the Administration

House

the

upon

equallylittle aid. Settingaside John Randolph and

more
dangerous than any
Joseph Nicholson,who were
Federalist of New
England to Government, the huge
of note.
Its
Republicanmajoritycontained no man
startling.Gallatin clung to Randolph as
poverty was
of the House
the only member
competent to conduct
the publicbusiness ; and no small part of Randolph's
followers

own

and
superiority,

intellectual

of

sense

his

toward

arrogance

due

was

to

the

to

his

constant

proof that they could do no business without his aid.

rarely arrogant in the face of men
Randolph was
whose abilities were
superiorto his own, or whose will
stronger; he domineered
but he
thought his inferiors,
he

Congress he
sent

much
"but

was
as

met

no

new

no

rival in his

own

member,

from

expected, a certain
popular speaker he never
"

liked

contest

hope of victory.

uncertain

an

saw

those

over

was

In

in which
the

Ninth

chusetts
party. Massawhose

Barnabas
can

oratory
Bidwell;

stand

rival of John

New

he

whom

as

the

of a Massachusett
Randolph," was the comment
senator
to him in the House.1
on
listening
York, New Jersey,and Pennsylvaniawere
repre1

Diary of

J.

Q. Adams

(March 8, 1806),i. 419.

128
sented
a

by

the
who
the

sent

made

national

name

public business.
Josiah Quincy
was

and

troublesome

him

but

of

to

not

of
one

tried to master

Perhaps

ablest

the

Boston,whose

tive
posi-

vehement

abilities,and

temper, marked
made

character

who

or

details of
member

new

Southern

positionto Washington,

social

best

of excellent

men

many

6.

other

the

and

CH.

Democrats, without

of

mass

Virginia

single leader.

States

solid

almost

an

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

alism
Feder-

majorityrather

the

legislation.
to
House
met, it proceeded at once
Speaker; and the old feuds of the
out again. Fifty-four
votes
were

useful in

than

the

When

election of

broke

session

to

elect ; and

on

first ballot Macon

the

the
last
quired
re-

had

fifty-one.Twenty-seven Republicans voted for

of Massachusetts,besides others
Joseph B. Yarnum

but

who

threw

their votes

away

on

candidates

from

ginia
Vir-

Pennsylvania. Only at the third ballot did

then he received but
and even
Macon
get a majority,
votes, while the full strength of his party
fifty-eight
and

than

more

was

one

His

hundred.

first act

reappoint Randolph and Nicholson on

Means
Committee, where a place was
Josiah
The
and

the

Ways

also

to

was

and

given to

Quincy.
President's

produced

the

Message

was

effect to be

read

December

expected. The

3V
try
coun-

applauseas a proof of vigor. In

regarded
Baltimore, and along the seaboard, it was
as
against Spain;
equivalentto a declaration of war
it stopped trade, raised insurance, and
encouraged
received

it with

THE

iracy. The
:cept the
it.

use

Federalism

"

"

!"

revived

Federalist ; "

to

admire

said

the

and
bitter

dignified,firm, and
have
been
astonished,"
the "Boston
Centinel;"1

This

"

day we
a
correspondentto
President's
speech is,

nrited."

the

throughoutthe country,

Evening Post," affected

"

129

ACT.

Federalist press

Washington
)te

TWO-MILLION

in

principle,almost

system. It
wholly on the Washington and Adams
of the
has puzzledthe Federalists and offended many
It is in perfectnonconformityto all the
Democrats.
of the party." The
Federalists
former
professions
exaggerated their applausein order to irritate John
Randolph and his friends,who could not fail to
that the Message strengthened Madison
at the
see
of the old Republicans. Jefferson's private
expense
sage.
languagewas not less energeticthan his publicmesAmong the favorite ideas which the President
the ocean
that of claiming for America
as
urged was
Gulf
the
far as
Stream, and forbiddinghostilities
within the line of deep-sea soundings.2 One of the
senators
to whom
Massachusetts
he argued this doctrine
inquiredwhether it might not be well, before
assuming a claim so broad, to wait for a time when

the

Government

The

President

should

have

force to maintain

it.

Governrepliedby insistingthat the ment,

should squint at it ; 3 and he lost no chance
of doing so.
He assured his friends that no privateer
"

"

1
2

Columbian

Centinel,Dec. 21, 1805.

Cabinet
Memoranda, July 5, 1805; Jefferson MSS.
Diary of J. Q. Adams
(Nov. 30, 1805),i. 376.

VOL.

in.

"

130

HISTORY

would

ever

Gulf

OF

again

be

THE

UNITED

permittedto

STATES.

cruise

CH.

within

6.

the

Stream.1

Such

attitude,publicand

roused
much
private,
interest. Congress waited anxiouslyfor the promised
and
did not wait
on
Spanish affairs,
specialmessage
6, only three days after the Annual
long. December
Message was sent in,the specialand secret message
closed its doors,and the memfollowed ; the House
bers
which
listened eagerlyto a communication
they
expected to be, what it actually
was, a turning-point
in their politics.
narrated
The Message 2 very briefly
the story of the
unratified claims convention,ending in Monroe's
lomati
dipthat the Spanmisfortunes, and announced
iards
showed every intention of advancingfrom Texas,
until they should be repressedby force.
an

Considering that Congress alone is constitutionally

of changing our
from
condition
invested with the power
I have
to war,
thought it my duty to await their
peace
authorityfor using force in any degree which could be
the officers stationed
I have barely instructed
avoided.
in the neighborhood of the
aggressions to protect our
the
borders
from
citizens
violence, to patrol within
but
actually delivered to us, and not to go out of them
when
a citizen
necessary to repel an inroad or to rescue
his property."
or
"

Passing next
mentioned
1

Jefferson to

State

to the

the

conduct
decided

sage
Napoleon,the Mespart taken by France

of

Monroe, May 4, 1806; Writings,v.

Papers,ii. 613.

9.

TWO-MILLION

THE

Inst

States

the United

131

ACT.

on

point of

every

the

Span-

lispute,
"

silence

her

differences,it

these

the

date

had

any

of

the

what

to

to

collision and
side

western

it pass

be

probable

it will

be

probably
the

to

or

for

contribute

which

it

deny.

To

their

them

then,

I look

After
more

them

to

prehensive
com-

of

well

as

as

crisis

in

settlement, and

would

it.

of

become

necessary,

protection of

it is
our

country, require that

certain

It

degree.

object of peace.

I communicate

judge

for

sincere

the

so

present

such

the

the

advance

gous
analo-

will
But

of
pursued will require the command
belongs to Congress exclusivelyto yield

information,

enable

with

to

The

our

that

be

to

course

means

interposed to

and

eastern

is not

; but

of

at

taken

plan

situation

war

honor

had

availing ourselves

our

follow

citizens,the spiritand
force should

the

on

lost in

Formal

that

or

possiblethe grounds

as

pressing

unimproved,

difficult.

more

not

for

on

proposed,

Mississippi.

the

should

moment

Should
much

of

far

controversy

is favorable

Europe
not

as

had

templated
con-

believe

to

settlement

has

Spain

reason

that

Government

her

attitude

have

ministers
remove

rupture,

Paris

from

she

us

give to

to

mean

that

actual

hostile

effect

to

our

as

future

the

might

appear

to

contrary, we

disposed

was

not

last advices

our

suspicionof
On

here.

does

in

against Spain

she

proceeding

their

she

direction

Whatever

quarter.

boundary leaving

be

opinion might

her

infer

to

Western

the

to

as

the

zeal

and

the

documents

for themselves.

course

that

am

which

fact

every

To

necessary

to

their

wisdom,

and

will pursue

to pursue,

they

material

shall

approve."

was
reading of this Message the House
The
few
Federalists
ever.
perplexed than

132

OF

HISTORY

warlike

The

sneered.

THE

STATES.

UNITED

Annual

Message,
had
character,

of the

tone

CH.G.

their theory of Jefferson's

contradicting
alreadyended, as they believed,in surrender.
was

angry.

assumed,

for

Madison's

public

Congress

required

was

had

the tone
of
political
profit,
England and Spain, while

toward

bravado

felt that the President

He

Randolph

John

to

overrule

Madison's

bold

policyand to impose on the country what would seem

of its own.
The
a crouching cowardice
Message was
committee
referred to a special
of seven
at once
bers,
memwith

Randolph
in

second
a

at

the

olson
head, his friend Nich-

its

third ;

vigorous Federalist,coming

the

Speaker

the

committee

for

useful

member
from

from

To

this

was

Barnabas

his

nor

but

while, whether

President

the

was

Smith,

not, the only person

or

could

recent,

democracy

was

and

of

in

depend

Bidwell, the
Bidwell's

Massachusetts.

Federalism

Randolph

whom

on

service

Federalism

it

intended

Cotton

John

number,

new

conversion
neither

kind

his
that

loved.

point the Louisiana

followed,and

Randolph

seemed

precedentwas
to

have

no

closely
excuse

refusing to do in 1805 what he had done in

than
that the
1802; yet nothing could be surer
different man
from
a
Randolph of 1805 was
very
the Randolph of three years before,as the Republican
the party
party of 1805 widely differed from
which
Jefferson to the
first elected
Presidency.
concealment
No
was
hesitation,or
double-dealing,
charged against Randolph. According to his own
for

THE

arned,

not

iation

of

the

essage

; that

had

been

he

could

not

consent

or

those

the

of the

Executive

purchase

measure,

for

in

the

to shift upon

his

House

the

that

; but

reserve

asked

been

proper

to

sponsibili
re-

if the

even

demanded, he should
explicitly
granting it,because, after the

failure of every
would

such

to

agree

to

without

not

been

averse

President

had

of the
money

wanted

was

the

never

money

shoulders

1
"wn

some

told

would

he

immediately,and
surprise,that an appro-

millions

two

He

orida.

because
ut

without

133

ACT.

President

the

called upon

ry, he

that

TWO-MILLION

have
total

negotiation,such a step
forever,"
with
much
to
more

attempt

at

disgrace us
same
effect,which

"

mildly

was

combated

by

Jefferson.1
The

7, the committee
day, December
met, and
Randolph,as he probablyexpected,found that Bidwell
alone

next

intended

well did not

of the

to

venture

support
to

the

act

as

Administration.
the direct

President,but undertook
the

to construe

proposed

Message

grant

to that

as

his

on

demand

effect.

The

Bid-

mouthpiece

own

authority

for money,

and

rest of the

mittee
com-

gravely followed Randolph in professingto

find no
such meaning in the Message ; Bidwell's motion
had
no
supporter, and was
promptly overruled.
Jefferson's labored Resolutions,
which
Nicholson
ried
carin his pocket for the committee
to adopt, were
suppressed ; Nicholson
1

First

August,

Letter

1806.

of

returned

Decius,

in

the

them
"

the

Kichmond

next

day

Enquirer,"

134

HISTORY

Gallatin,with

to

THE

OF

expressionof

brief

STATES.

UNITED

his

CH.

c.

decided

own

disapproval.1
committee

The

fortnight;but

permit Spain

not

that

her,

have

or

unfair

as

personal war

his

the

I considered

character

to excite

nation

out

the

last

to

of
never

to

These
had
1

of

to

of

its

moment

the

live

on

man

give

it

war."2

Randolph
;

If
made

for he

claimed
pro-

temper

and

throw

the

so
by means
sympathies of

the side of his victim.

heard

that

declaration,"

said

had
objectionsI originally
aggravated to the highest possible

it a base

prostrationof

nation

one

property
of

my

by

; and

life,my

to

money

from

that

confidence

entertainingthose

the

national

bullyanother
and

moment,
in the

sentiments

ciples
prindied,

again."

words

would

have

carried

Randolph's quarrelwith

more

Madison

conviction
not

Gallatin,Dec. 8, 1805 ; Gallatin MSS.

Decius, No. 1 ; Randolph's speech of April5, 1806
Nicholson

all the

"

procedure were

degree.

end

moment

Randolph afterward,
the

French

us

for

in

unprejudicedman

From

with

declaringa publicand
Secretaryof State, which he

the

on

would

must

we

confidential words
excuse

waged thenceforward
revoltingas in the

to

that

and

Spanish

of the

use

them

"

and

money,

that France

"

said this he told the truth.

Madison

every

him

tary
Secre-

and

adjust her differences

to

wanted

France

President

the

told

Madison

of State.

an

with

several interviews

had

to

separated,not to meet again for a

during the following week Randolph

been

of

to

Congress,1805-1806,

pp. 984-985.

Annals

THE

much

break

TWO-MILLION

older

date.

down

the

President,and

In

it

now

The

was

wanted

State

had

could

had

held

; but

Nicholson

reveal.

to

means

election
As

as

he said

his confidence

"

been

never

forever."

gone

alone

of

in the press,

and

find it here.

high,

very

charge against Madison

serious

Madison

he

thought to

penly in Congress
in the Secretaryof
but

truth

secretary'schance

he

135

ACT.

Down

was

to

which

one

23

October

Randolph's view and had protested

againstturning the Spanish negotiationinto a French
job. He could hardly blame Randolph for adhering
to an
opinion which had been held by President and
until within
Cabinet
few weeks, when
a
they had
abandoned
it without
explanationor excuse.
Stubbornlyrefusingto act, Randolph,December
14,
mounted
his horse and
rode to Baltimore,leavingthe
President
for the moment
helpless. Every hour's
and
strong's
delay shook party discipline,
imperilled ArmThe
President appealed to Nicholson
success.
he

and
far

could
as

be

also disliked

persuaded

would

enable

understanding that

the

to

use

its action

Although

secret,it threatened

to

would

become

the

to

policy,
only so

act, with

be adverse

situation

was

scandalous, and

the

to the

still
soon

altogether.

so

December

21

at the

who

his influence

committee

President's wishes.

became

the intended

told him

As
mounted
dishe
Randolph returned.
he was
received by Nicholson,
Capitol,
of the irritation which
his delay had
1

Deems, No.

1.

136

The

caused.

committee

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

CH.

called together.
instantly

was

he was
met
Randolph went to the committee-room
who
a
headed,
put into his hands
paper
by Gallatin,
for the purchase of Florida."
Provision
Although
Gallatin's relations with Randolph were
they
friendly,
the Secretaryof the Treasury from
did not save
a
sharp rebuff. Randolph broke out roughly: he would
not vote
a
shillingfor the purchase of Florida ; the
As

"

should

President

of

"

the odium

would

"

do

all

the publicpurse
delivering

to the

to

With

sweeping

walked

and

Gallatin

cunning

set

the

to

to be

censure

party, Randolph

and

Cabinet,

this

double

the

record

manly

and

appear

as

in fact it

instigation
;
of opinions
other

the
ostensible,

one

and

wisdom

true

Executive

at

this

"

I hold

the

on

recommending

as

while

the

principles, the

and

it ; "

Congress would
abandon
them, when

understand

not

throw

to

while

him

having forced
acting

gress
Con-

appear

vigorous measures,

was

upon

that demanded

first cut-throat
Executive

allowed

be

not

real

patible."
utterlyincomof President,
his

turned

committee-room.

back

on

There

in

carrying matters with a high

of recommending an
Instead
hand.
appropriation,
instructed
the committee
Randolph to write to the
Secretaryof War asking his opinionwhat force was
had

he

no

trouble

protect the Southern

then at hand,
Christmas
was

needed

been

to

taken.

crushed,
but

the

not
career

Unless

only
of

the

was

frontier.
and

not

step had yet

spiritof faction

the

Jefferson

fate of
himself

Madison
must

could

be

sealed,
end

in

Nothing could

failure.
in

TWO-MILLION

THE

1805.

final interview
he

that

"

be

had

too

done

the

at

with

Randolph, who
clared
House, flatlyde-

White
character

137

ACT.

support and

to

avowed
his determined
to maintain," and
principles
scheme
of buying Florida
of
to the whole
opposition
France.
cepted
Jefferson,little as he liked to quarrel,acthe challenge. Negotiationsthen ceased, and
a party schism
began.
in debate, he
If Randolph could not be overcome
might at least be overborne
by numbers
; if the best
part of the old Republican party went with him, the
rank

and

would

remain
the

more

Northern

file of

and

Western

democrats

support the Administration.

to

committee

called

was

Once
Bidwell

together.

tions
appropriatetwo millions for foreignrelahis motion
and adopted
; the majorityrejected
of the President's
warlike
tone
a report echoing the
publicmessage, and closingwith a Resolution to raise

moved

to

troops for the defence of the Southern

Spanish inroad

and
insult,

and

laid before

This

report was

Jan.

3, 1806, when

immediately moved,

"

one

extraordinary expenses
other
term

to chastise

the

House

additional

two

in

to the House

from

same."

by Randolph

Resolutions

were

for

foreign intercourse,the
Fund

the three Resolutions

in Committee

the

"

appropriatingmoney

continuing the Mediterranean

of years ; and

frontier

of the

for

were

Whole,

with

new

referred

closed

doors.

Monday, Jan. 6, 1806, the debate

throughoutthe followingweek the House

began;

and

sat in secret

138

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

session,while Randolph

strained

of democrats

which

the

phalanx

STATES.

every

nerve

threatened

CH.

6.

to break
to

whelm
over-

Perpetuallyon the floor,he declaimed

against the proposed negotiationat Paris ; while
consentingto vote for the two
Nicholson,unwillingly
gotiation
millions,said openly that he hoped in God the neat length a vote could
fail. When
would
carried its point,
be reached,the Administration
supportingthe President,against
seventy-two members
hi this minority was
a
; but
minority of fifty-eight
of the most
small number
included
no
respectable
of the twenty-two Virginia
Republicans. Twelve
from
the President; and for
broke
members
away
in a struggle vital to Jefferson's
the
first time
the majority consisted
than
half
of
credit, more
him.

"

Northern
The

men.

House

having recovered

control of the matter,

Randolph aside,rapidlypassed a Bill appropriating

million dollars for extraordinaryexpenses
two
in foreignrelations,
and Jan. 16, 1806, sent it to the
It was
Senate by a vote of seventy-sixto fifty-four.
accompanied by a secret message
explainingthat the
intended
for the purchase of Spanish
was
money
territoryeast of the Mississippi.The Senate closed
its doors, and with the least possibledebate, Feb. 7,
1806, passed the bill,which, February 13, received
the President's
13,1
approval. Not until March
thrust

six

months

Madison

after
to

Papers,iii.539.

Armstrong's despatch

Armstrong

and

Bowdoin, March

had

13, 1806

been
; State

TWO-MILLION

THE

Madison

did
Britten,

to offer France

for Armstrong
tuthority
lollars for Florida

Texas

and

mthority which should

be worth
sending at

ty ;

his

but

in his

unknown
tost obedient
rate almost

as

"radleymade
lerson

success

in

had

the

Bill ;

know

how

bad

it was

so

Jefferson

he

would

have

absented

of his

it,and

than

time

in the

power

had

of

all,the

that
Of
the

all

publicmind,
Diary of

"

but

in

priAn-

it was,

so
l

be ! "

it must

so

reading

"

become
that

Q. Adams

more

"

againstthe

obtained

teen
only sevenopposition.

in

felt that for the first

gain

of Executive
;

the most

and, worst

for

of

creature

could
was

Three
Mitchill

and

voted

against eleven

this last
J.

were

Senator

himself.

historyof their party the whip

been snapped over
their heads
New
England Federalists took

ideas
political

growled

at the final vote ; four

its third

had

who

men

the

to
hither-

cost

disgust. Senator

this,the malcontents

Jefferson

within

Bradley,Logan,

"

voices in its favor

Worse

at

The

taken ;

ever

themselves

on

prompt,

victoryover

his will

Adair, Oilman, Stone,and Sumter

Bill,which

and

franklysaid that he wished the

that the oppositiondid not half
the most
; that it was
pernicious

had

Republican Senators
"

gained

public to

Devil

an

"

resistance

open

experience.

secret

Colorado,

won

as
fiercely
Randolph
no

five million

secret

point; he
was

of Tennessee

measure

been

public

all.

silenced

idolph,and

the

to

have

his

carried

Jefferson

to Paris

length send

at

139

ACT.

granted
Napoleon.

lodgment
fatal!

(Feb. 8, 1806), i. 405.

in

140

HISTORY

OF

either Jefferson

That

sympathies has
them

flatter and

to

be

to

6.

by French
Both

untrue.

of all the

of

belligerents

caused

them

by

Spain,France, and

threaten

to

Cn.

led

w;is

for Florida

their eagerness

and
jilikcj,

Madison

or

shown

been

STATES.

UNITED

to the violence

submitted

turns

THE

England; but not even for the sake of Florida would

they have taken either a direct or an indirect part with
France.
Their unwillingnessto offend Napoleon rose
the conviction
not from sympathy with him, but from
States
that he alone could give Florida to the United
and

the expense

without

losses inevitable in

Unhappily the publicknew

had

Jefferson

done

or

was

little of what

doing;

and

war.

President

another

carried through Congress at

legislation,
Two-million
with the
moment
Act," went
of

"

the

piece
same

far to fix

the Federalists in their belief that the Administration

obeyed the
The

beck

and

call of the French

Annual

Message made
publicannouncement

no

Ernporor.

allusion to St. Domingo

had

been

given that
in regard
wished for further legislation
the Executive
to its trade,when, Dec. 18, 1805, Senator
Logan of
Pennsylvania brought forward a Bill to prohibitthe
with
trade altogether.That he acted without concert
not to be conceived.
Madison
mitted
adwas
Logan privately
the wish of enablingMadison
as his onlyobject
no

to tell the

and
so

at

their
the
i

French

government

that

the merchants

that the trade

who

was

carried it on

bidden,
fordid

peril.1The Federalist senators opposed

joined by several RcpubliBill,and were
own

Diary of

J.

Q. Adams

(Jan.15, 1806),i. 383.

(Jenenil

runs.

th;it it would

close

Domingo

the

last

opening

American

wholly into

spoke against
men,

would

sure

dollars of revenue;

thousand

the

policy Id'!, for

Milchill

that

which

the

with

commerce

throw

Indies; that it would

West
St..

Dr.

:md

Imndrcd

s;icri(icesevcnd

IJritisli

Smith

141

ACT.

MILLION'

oppositionshowed

The

it.

TWO

TIIK

180(5.

the

; that

the
with

commerce

British hands

new

it

was

[ittempt to carry out French

objectsby American
endanger the property and
legislation,which would
citizens in the island; and finally,
lives of American
in obedience
to Napoleon'sorders.
done
that it was
27 the Senate called for the diplomatic
December
respondenc
corand the President commuthe subject,
nicated
on
in which
the extraordinarynotes
Talleyrand
iin

Turreau

;md

The

continue.

protest

declared

or

Senate

that the
received

remonstrance

and

"

commerce

must"

this mandate
after

not

without

long debate

passed the Bill,Feb. 20, 1806, by a party vote of

twenty-one to eight. Of the twenty-seven Republican
senators, Stone of North Carolina alone voted against
execrations
it. Amid
againstthe Haytian negroes,
forced through the House
next
almost
the Bill was
without
dent's
debate,and Feb. 28, 1806, received the Presisignature.
This law,1 limited to one
year, declared that any
which
shall be voluntarily
vessel
American
carried,
shall be destined to proceed" to St. Domingo
or
should be wholly forfeited,
ship and cargo. Passed
"

p.

Act

1228.

of

Feb.

28, 1806;

Annals

of

Congress,1805-1806,

142

HISTORY

OF

the

strained

commerce,

formerly construed
all its

taken

in

among

the most

which

different

States dreaded

of the

powers

bore

of
principles

Constitution

its face the birth-mark

on

in fact

as

In

parentage.
the

indifferent to the

of Napoleonic

its existence

owe

chiefly

truth, the Southern

rebel negroes

attitudes ; in this

own

to

the interests of Northern

they feared Napoleon. Fear often

their

6.

by the party of State-rights,

and,
relations,
might claim distinction

features,did
to

CH.

statutes
enacted by
ever
disgraceful
States
government. Nevertheless,this

United

measure,

the

violated

Act

law, sacrificed

international

STATES.

Napoleon'spositiveorder,communicated
President
to Congress as though

by the
the
objection,

overawe

UNITED

of

in consequence

the

THE

of

Hayti

made

instance

than

more

them

blind to

it made

to France.
charge of servility

opportunityto declare the

them

The

of

Hayti enemies
of the human
too tempting to be rejected
race
was
;
and not only did the Southern
Republicans eagerly
seize it,but they persuaded their Northern
allies to
John
Randolph himself,though then
support them.
wearying the House day after day with cries that
Madison

had

to France,

which

would

nor

might
to

the

have

this act

to

made

other

any

seem

oppose

neither
the

to

Bill.

of

States

subservience,

at the

famous,
in-

vote, that

obey Bonaparte'smandate
Of

were

list,side by side

United

Administration

himself

quietlyabsented

against it,nearly all

curious

of the

honor

alluded

never

and

he

sold

negroes

with

the

twenty-sixvoices

Federalists ; yet in this

Josiah

Quincy, Samuel

TWO-MILLION

THE

and

Jacob

Crowninshield

bitterest

sneers.

St.

with

commerce

the

for

necessary

"

Act

Two-million

"

The

of

names

Lyon, democrats
John
Randolph's

objectsof

and

deepest dye

of the

Matthew

and

the

stood

Smith,

Cotton

John

Dana,

143

ACT.

and

Domingo

could

not

at

help

his

expect

measures

the

Napoleon
conciliating

Without

forbidding

equally
Florida purchase.
St. Domingo, Jefferson

were

of

success

Act

the

Paris.

at

These

of military
togetherwith some
appearance
of foreign
completed the Executive scheme
activity,
ficult
difpolicyin regard to France and Spain; the more
of dealingwith England.
task remained
measures,

the first

When
in the

merchants
rose

of the

case

general,until

more

War

"

1805

year

Britain

had,

no
so

The

issue

make

in

war

of open

was

in

policy. War

could

and

but

ruin

war

would

Federalist

By the close of

her

Great

that

purposes,

declared

The

States

United

Any

might
short

measure

unquestionablybeen taken

would

became

Disguise,"arrived,and

submit.

Pitt's account, and

alone

ships

States.

simple.

return, or

the

steadily

anger

longer doubt

suited

as

hostilities had

their

America,

American

could

against the United

war

in

newspapers.

one

far

and

Scott's decision

length, in December, 1805,

at

Stephen'spamphlet,
was
reprinted in the
the

arrived

of

confiscation

the

"

Essex

"

indignant;

were

as

of Sir William

news

produce
move

him

effect

no

from

destroy American
resources,

while

any

on

into

his

his purpose
commerce

retaliation

144
short

of

would

war

be

to

THE

would

not

from

was

that

alone.

they

6.

Their

could

not

their

saw

against his

Much

CH.

but
ineffective,

prove

George Cabot

in it.

the first.

STATES.

merchants

unavoidable

so

caught

only

American

injurethe

dilemma

UNITED

OF

HISTORY

will the

fail

danger

merchants

to draw
a
placed him upon a committee
to Congress againstthe British doctrine
remonstrance
Our friend Cabot," wrote
of neutral trade.
Fisher
is much, too much, mortified that he is one
Ames,1
He
hates
of them.
hypocrisy,and respects principles;
lest the popular feelingshould
and he dreads
to deny what
he believes to be
impel the committee

of Boston

"

"

true,

for

ask

to

or

Boston

The

Lloyd,was

as

no

the

appointment of

the

hands

with

of Monroe

he

knows

Memorial," 2

cautious

asked

and

what

from

action

that

it did

at London

not

"

Britain

Memorial,"

refused

drawn

by

strong tones, but offered

of
1

January,1806,

Ames

Cabot, p.
8

to

with

except

strengthen
signed it
the

standing
under-

represent his personalviews.

Philadelphia"Memorial"
language, suggesting that war
Great

to

Cabot

; but

only

The

if

Government

special mission

reluctance,and

extreme

drawn

by James
erate,
popularfeelingwould tol-

as

ous."
mischiev-

be

to

closed
must

redress.

William

these

Pickering; Ames's

be

The

stronger
the

result

Baltimore

Pinkney, spoke

advice.

no

with

Toward

in

the middle

memorials, togetherwith
Works,

i. 342.

Cf.

Lodge's

315.

Boston
p. 890.

Memorial

Annals

of

Congress,1806-1809, Appendix,

TWO-MILLIOX

THE

145

ACT.

Congress by the President,with

Message invitingthe Legislatureto take the matter
hand, but offeringno opinion as to the proper
sent

were

icrs,

to

pursue.1
fears of George Cabot
The
were
quickly justified,
the theories of the Republican
[e chieflydreaded
destructive
to
more
by,which in his opinionwere
to

mrse

Linerican

Madison

bent

were

the

British

Stephen. Jefferson
testingthe theoryof the

on

first

Inaugural Address, that

handmaid
of agriculture
; but in
such

slave-code

treatment

would
a

commerce

"

of the

slow

as

have

selves
doctrines them-

of James

the demands

or

and

than

commerce

of South

the harshest

tion
applica-

Carolina

Georgia

or

agricultureproposed to her
been rejected
as
inhuman, for

which
on
theory of peaceablecoercion,
relied,had often been explained as a
either side counted

it

was

British

manufacturers

thousand

souls

who

Madison
"

son
Jefferduel

exhaustingits

upon

by injuringitself. As
the

maid
hand-

torture.

The

which

the

was

There

once
are

nent
oppo-

said

three

in

of

dred
hun-

live

let
by our custom:
them
be driven to poverty and
despair,and what
will be the consequence
?
The question was
more
easilyasked than answered, for in the actual condition
of Europe economical
laws were
so
violently
"

disturbed
fresh
but

that

no

man

could

extravagance might

while
1
VOL.

the

three

result from

hundred

Message of Jan. 17, 1806;

in.

"

10

venture

thousand
State

to
new

guess

what

delirium

Englishmen

Papers,ii.727.

146

HISTORY

would

lose

look

at

the

laborers
submit

to

to

merchant,

like

fast

the

Granting

of

in

of

States

would

alternative

and

the

British

been

sacrifice

entire

Tories

as

to

American

of

self
him-

seat

slowly
stain

certain
the

by

submission

between

Boston

might

be

not

languid.

ever

were

the

should

stimulated

be

of

had

real

that

blood

his

lish
Eng-

obliged

offender, and

could

he

Pitt,

conscience

United

that

order

conscience

the

British

the

idly

Americans

injured Brahmin,

door

conscience

Pitt's
for

submission.

death

to

the

suffering;

the

been

generations

many

would

rotting ships.

occasional

to

untrained

at

for

had

6.

Americans

and

crops,

and

warehouses

CH.

thousand

their

profit on

empty

STATES.

UNITED

hundred

three

starving,

were

THE

OF

that

sacrifice,

regarded

the

Cabot

saw

Great

Britain

no

He

commerce.

preferred submission.
The

all its

subject in

that

special committee
related

which

Smith

5, General
a
as

an

series

of

to

Senate

to

the

on

soon

waxed

On

this
hot.

behalf

national

Resolution
-

President's

seizures.

prohibition

the

referred

sage
Mes-

these

tee
commitseizures
and

independence,
of

the

British

long
debate

February

of the

denouncing

linens, silks, glass-wares, and

articles.

the

British

Resolutions
on

the

part of

reported

encroachment

recommending

before

15, 1806,

Jan.

Congress.

bearings quickly came

woollens,

list

of

other

began,

and

VII.

CHAPTER

ideas of

the

politicsthan

he succeeded
of the

Jefferson's life

in

NOTHING

States

United

their

saw

which

secrecy

preserving.For

in

stranger to

was

two

as

months

modern

President
the

people

representatives
go day

day into secret session,but heard not a whisper

of what passed in conclave.
Angry as Randolph was,
to make
and eager as the Federalists were
mischief,
after

they revealed
ministers

not

what

to the

even

passing

was

public at large,under
knew
war

no

and

than

more

their

in the

state

House

of their
of

the

or

democratic

Frenchmen

Such

peace.

senators

foreign

; and

the

government,
destinies of

things was

contrary

Republicanparty : it could
but it could end only in explosion.
not last,
the debate
When
Smith's non-importationResolutions
on
began in the Senate February 12, the previous
taken
the
had
Spanish
struggle which
place over
Two-million
still a secret ;
Act
was
policyand the
unknown
Randolph'sschism was
beyond the walls of
the Capitol; the President's scheme
of buying West
France
Florida from
after having, as he maintained,
told.
kept, as he wished, unbought it once
already,was
knew
The
world
only that some
mysterious
to the best traditions

"

of the

"

148

HISTORY

business
attack

OF

some

attitude

commonly

men

he

"

elsewhere

bestow

for the very

; but

personal influence
he
against opposition,

his

his

and

the

representativeof

years

against Great

neutral

National

his

his friends took

in
of

to retrieve defeats

reason

that he exhausted
the

Spanish policy
gress
British questionsto ConEngland was to be dealt
Jefferson

had

policyof

Britain.

To

been

of 1794
"

the lead

callingfor retaliation.
pressinghis views,even

in

declined.

regarded

commercial
revive

Intelligencer
made

was

his

such

as

his

as

tion
restric-

influence,

reprinted

were

guide for

pamphlet against the British

trade

point in

success

resolutions

speeches and

in the

the

more

regard
tions,
unappreciated inven-

carry

left

and

it with

upon

past Madison

many

so

Spanish policywas

took the lead which

For

his

to

party. Where

with, Madison

Smith's

measures

more

dreaded

upon
its

depended on

the

became

dispute with England. The

creation,and he looked
own
as

with

Jefferson disliked and

uneasy.

7.

session.

in secret

President's

The

CH.

Samuel

Senator

connected

way

discussed

long

STATES.

began, the publicnaturallysupposed

trade

it to be in

UNITED

afoot ; and when

was
on

THE

gress
Con-

doctrines

of

text-book ; while
political
denouncing England and

He

himself

lost

no

chance

political
opponents.
T had considerable
conversation with Mr. Madison,"
wrote
of them
one
February 13, on the subjectsnow
most
important to the public. His system of proceeding
toward
Great Britain is to establish permanent
upon

"

"

Annals

of

Congress,1793-1795,

p. 155.

distinctions

iommercial

duties

her

between

and

other

retaliatingnavigation act, and

"

149

SCHISM.

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

articles

on

in

choice, and

his

By
of

defiant

almost

manner

aggravated

her."

imported from

tions,
na-

own

failure,

united
with
politicalfortunes were
coercing England through restrictions

Madison's

policy of

the
of

trade.
At

first much

Jackson

of

said

nation,"
colonies

is

months

favor

have

laid

at best

the

of

must

feet ! "

Madison
"

course.

I would

fought

had

21, againstthe

The

moral

Embargo
Americans
1
2

leave

to

England

effect
was

the

cared

to

of

supreme

Nelson's

last

risk

step
war

in

p. 571.

that

battle,

Spanish
plete
victoryso com-

triumph

with

toward

and

upon

before

looked

naval

war,

England

(Feb. 13, 1806), i. 408.

Diary of J. Q. Adams
Randolph'sSpeech of March 5, 1805 ; Annals

1805-1806,

also

arrived

French

ending
fleets,off Cape Trafalgar,
as

Randolph,

when

great

combined

nine

(if anything)
embargo party

news

and

terms,
in

and

wished,

1805,

us,

our

John

Indian

on

to

come

embargo,

your

December,

Nelson

Admiral

dependent

embargo," he said.2 The

smaller
small, and became

an

was

October

this

on

close

they

whatever

oppose

with

less

lie at your

they must

to

sure

us

with

On

starve.

or

or

more

Not

"

West

has

his

with

measure.

which

exists

"

he,

but

of this

in favor

do without

cannot

Senator

embargo.

an

Georgia,Dec. 20, 1805, declared

vehemence

usual

of

said

was

the

ocean.

great.

was

and

few

under

any

of

Congress,

150

HISTORY

circumstances
the

allyon

an

would

; with

face.

Madison's

before

Samuel

Resolutions, February 5,
minister

Merry

membe'rs

wrote

effectual

despairing of

only to

limit the

number

and

postpone

the

to

effect,in order

take

But

"

from

Monroe

alone.

the

first :

of

the

of

their

Senate

which

prohibited,
law

the

should

specialmission

to

the

by

been, and

it has

to

clamor

are,

the

of

some

find, endeavoring

to

nation
of

to

Mr.

negotiation

brought

now

Administration,

the

that

the

on

carry

being

continues

wishes

who

President,

Matters, however,

instigationof

the

to engage

greeable
disa-

and

the

members
the

rest

tional
in exercising their constitujoin them
sion
privilegeof advising the President on the occaand that their advice to him will be to suspend any

body

to

step that

can

has

tried of

been

Merry
General
1

send

continue

should

crisis

the

by
.

to

that

learn

now

be, opposed

endeavor

of articles to be
on

the

restrictions,

resistance, would

date

partial

that

commercial

to

one

arrangement.
negotiatean amicable
had
under
been
that a specialmission

England and
Merry added
discussion

of

Government

his

to

opposed

most

the

to

no

Republican policy.
Smith
reported his
Senate, the British

the

became

7.

without

which

gentle plan

more

Senator

CH.

and

rashness

was

war

restrictions in trade
Even

undefended

harbors

ocean,

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

Merry

was

have

an

hostile

tendency

Resolutions

Mulgrave, Feb. 2, 1806

experiment

until the

extraordinarymission."

exactly informed

Smith's
to

as

even

; MSS.

to

the

before

of

fate

they

had

British Archives.

JOHN

1800.

RANDOLPH'S

reported to the Senate.

They
only the third, which
; but

been
number

was
non-importation,

wholly welcome

not

vere

to the

or

minority.

Adams
either

The

in

recommended
The

of

first and

Massachusetts,

the

to

three

were

by Smith.

drawn

of Senator

work

second, the

151

SCHISM.

tion
Administra-

first declared

the British

violation of
unprovoked aggression,"a
and an
encroachment
national
teutral rights,"
upon
independence." The second requested the President
and insist upon
demand
indemnity,and to make
jome
arrangement about impressments. The first
besolution,although fatal to future Federalist conunanimously adopted by the Senate,
dstency,was
February 12, almost without debate, even
Timothy
'ickeringrecording his opinion that the British government
had encroached
national independence.
upon
seizures

"

"

an

"

"

"

"

The

dictation

at

the Senate

insist ; "

but

as

The

too

was

criticised

Executive,which

induced

was

weak,

was

to the

of offence to the

cause

it

Resolution

second

although

President.
to strike

as

would

By
out

attempt

an

give just

this argument

the words

"

and

the

Resolution,thus altered,
Republican senators voted against

seven

strong.
of

this

had
been
halting movement
explained by Merry to Lord Mulgrave nearly two
weeks
before.
The
Senate stumbled
the imporover
tant
Monroe.
The
next
dential
Presipersonalityof James
three years distant,warped the
some
election,
national
policyin regard to a foreign encroachment.
Senator Samuel
Smith, ambitious to distinguishhimreason

152
self

in

Paris, wished
London, and was

failed

the

to
to

friends

The

Nicholas.

whom

depress Monroe,

Mrs.

Even

to

elevate.

of

allowed
electioneering,

STATES.

UNITED

diplomacy, having

mission
envoy

THE

OF

HISTORY

which

of

7.

the

special

supported by Wilson

Gary
of Madison
were
willing to
John
Randolph was
trying
Madison, in the excitement
herself

talk

to
;

interference

made

obtain

to

dignity

of Monroe
societyvery slightingly
reasons

CH.

in

and

from

general

there

Mrs.

were

Madison

friends.2 Dr. Logan,

to Monroe's
peculiarlyirritating
the senator from Pennsylvania,while helping Madison
in

satisfyNapoleon

to

regard

St.

to

Domingo,

was

suggestingthat it would be well to set

Monroe
coalition of Madison,
gently aside.3 This
so
Smith, Logan, and Wilson
Gary Nicholas was
in

prominent

strong
The
and

to

as

second

control

Resolution

to

response

the

to

carry

the two

Two

years

managed

senators

policy of

their

and

"

the committee

observed

Diary

Adams's

Diary

Jefferson to

of J.

Q.

that

Adams

Kandolph, p.

of J.

Q.

Adams

to

tions
Resolu-

later,in
Jefferson

impose on

own.

deliveringthe Resolutions,"

aggrieved tone,

said

entered

Jefferson4
into free

the

although

Senate

could

203.

(Feb. 1, 1806),i. 395.

10, 1808

Works,

v.

in

versation,
con-

(March 13, 1806),i. 420.

Monroe, March

Dr. Mitchill

and

complaints,President

these
a

Smith

House.

to Monroe's

Executive

''After
an

committee

White

explainedhow
the

adopted Feb. 14, 1806

was

afterward,General

week

appointed a

were

Senate.

the

253.

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

1806.

that

recommend

form

in

not

the

them

on

much

averse

set upon

well
which

failure

both, pursuing

of

nearly every

produce

his

order

to

avoid

could

be

not

claims

before

certain

of
as

friends
the

to

sibility
respon-

throw
the
I

on

opinion
it

found

opinion to

the

ral
gene-

reallyseemed

followers

to

in

minister

Smith

England, he

France.

to

commission,

by

of
and

indiscreet

firm

was

Armstrong

by his management

an

in

the President
Philadelphia. When
specialminister,with Bowdoin, to

If
bent
had

American

had

letter

of Nicklin

in

the

him.

embarrassing
to

in

waver

temporize

to

General

evils.

made

subject and

Legislature.

reduced

government

claim

here.

would

it

so

end

not

oppositionto
own

was

that

best

redress

devoted

was

the French

to the French

them."

minister

challenged attack

the

among

answer,

the

up

council, and

interested

seemed

an

represented

of the

worse

becoming

upon

these

in

most

allegiance,and

it.

it did

took

obtain

jubilee among

their

Smith

But

House

national

saw

hard

so

it.

conduct

member

the

Jefferson

Senate

them

of

to

sentiment

one

they pressed

length to yield my

at

voice of

but

other

the

us

necessary

was

and
individually,
as
myself, and

me

as

you

extraordinary mission, yet

gave

spoke

of

members

The

it,and

to

any

and

measure,

felt it and

they

there

individuals

as

153

SCHISM.

"

written

against
Griffith,

nominated
conduct

him

the

new

Florida
the

negotiation,a strong oppositionappeared in

General
Smith.
Senate,at the head of which was

March

17 the vote

divided,fifteen
voice alone

to

saved

was

taken

and
fifteen,

; the

Senate

was

Vice-President

Armstrong

from

equally
Clinton's

rejection.Had

154

HISTORY

Senate

the

faction

for the

STATES.

its

out

deal

whose

have

and

7.

aims, the

been

followed

shaken,

; but

tunately
for-

Secretaryof
they had to

whom

passed

temper

CH.

own

for the

with

enemies

the

one

might

President

State,among
was

UNITED

authoritymight perhaps have

period of

THE

left to follow

been

President's
and

OF

the

bounds

of

common-sense.

confined to

was

House

The

Jan.

Means.

than

slower

to

the

relations.
the

; but

secret

Senate

Dec.

Committee

17, 1806, another

committee

same

Spanish affairs in

of British
referred

subjectwas

March, 1806, Randolph's opposition

even

was

up the matter

the

of

the month

Until

message

session.
to take

4, 1805, the
of

Ways

was

sent

and

absent

when

to take the matter

On

in order

in Committee

the House
ill and

Means

the
from

to

out
day after day passed withRandolph, until Smilie of

bringing a report from

to discharge the Committee
Pennsylvania moved
Ways

and

to

of

bring the subjectbefore

of the Whole.

House, Jan.

Randolph was
29, 1806, decided

his hands.

day Andrew

from
Gregg, a member
portatio
moved
a Resolution
forbiddingthe imPennsylvania,
of all goods the growth or product or manufacture
the

of

same

Great

Britain.

Still the

House

left the

decision
discussion.
or
subject without
February
10 Joseph Nicholson
introduced
another
Resolution,
which
importation
came
Gregg's nonprobably from Gallatin.
lion
would cost the Treasury five milmeasure
Gallatin
dollars a year, and
preferreda less
sweeping prohibition.Even Senator Smith's scheme

JOHN

too

is

not

strong

for

salt

which

America

nation

any

Nicholson's

her.

British

only such

with

could

nor
supply herself,

supply

pointed out that

Birmingham hardware,

rum,

necessities

were

155

SCHISM.

Nicholson, who

woollens,Jamaica

irse

and

RANDOLPH'S

could

land
except Eng-

Resolution

prohibited

might be replacedby other

nations than England, or might be produced at home,
-manufactures
of leather,tin, brass, hemp, flax,
silk ; high-priced woollens ; woollen
hosiery; glass,
silver,and plated ware, paper, pictures,prints, a
formidable list of articles,
if not, like Jamaica
which
to America, were
essentials to civilized
rum, necessary
goods

as

"

existence.
Other

Resolutions

introduced,but

were

those

of

consent
maintained
Gregg and Nicholson by common
the policiesmarked
pre-eminence; and between
by
them
as
complete or partialnon-importationCongress
had to decide.
before the
Although the subjectwas
of February passed without debate.
House, the month
Not until March
lution.
5, 1806, did Gregg call up his ResoIn doing so, he made
a
speech studiously
"

moderate.

He

seemed

and
carrying-trade,

seizures

as

disinclined

abstained
for war,

cause

weight of his argument

impressments; yet even
it

were
"

"

I have

Great

question of

on

treatingthe
rather

but

manifest

the

this he

Britain

is too

too

well

threw

the
ish
Britthe

outrage

treated

of

though
unfriendlyfiscal regulation.
of

apprehension whatever

no

and

from

defend

to

well versed

in

the

acquainted with

as

war,"

business
her

own

he
of

said,

culation,
cal-

interest,

156

in this lawless

to persevere

purchases
exceeds,

merchandise

other

STATES.
at the

system

annual

whose

customers

and

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

of

CH.

hazard

her

of

7.

losing

manufactures

believe, thirtymillions

dollars."

of

Gregg would not endanger

Great Britain,"

to

language

and

mild

this

"in

'

moderate,

have

You

insulted

by impressing our seamen

your battles against a Power
plundered

have

you

which

war
our

commerce.

we

will

hostile

the

these

no

longer.

bonds
You

of
must

not

purchasing
This

is

their

warehouses

their

expect
your

If

...

carried

at peace

to

to
;

find
so

oppression
acceding

slacken

must

have

been
us

we

in

those

your

large an
can

to

connected.

by attacking

workshops,

against

on

persist in your

you

we

we

manufactures

and

fight

to

are

absolutelyrefuse

part

firm,

country

them

we

be

to

hereafter

vulnerable

and

our

insults,and
injuries,

which

friendship by

whom

say

property by that predatory

propositionsof compromise,

any

dignityof

compelling

much

To

if you

measures,

though manly

with

authorize

you

submit

of

us

and

but he would

peace,

ket
mar-

amount.'

them

reach

in
their

vitals."

If Pitt should
would

retaliate,
Gregg would

confiscate all the

go further ; he

private property belonging to

subjectson which he could lay his hands,

to the contrary notwithstanding.
treaty stipulations
The Pennsylvanian contented
himself with pacific
and his oratory had the merit of consistency
measures,
with
his party doctrines
and
the
principles
; but
derstand
undemocracy of Massachusetts,which would never
or
obey the theories of Virginiaand PennBritish

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

could
sylvania,

rest content

not

157

SCHISM.

Gregg'sQuaker

with

ideas.
the

After

"

course

are

we

taking,"said

now

Crownin-

in her captures and in her

shield," should Britain persist
of

oppressivetreatment
up, I would

them
as

I observed

go to

too, that in such

other assistance
Scotia.

and Nova

She

event

and

their

than

Some

own

sixteen millions of the old

of

States,eight millions
of ten

the amount

or

Britain

But,

She

knows,

eastern

inces
provwill ask

militia to take

Indian

will

Canada

islands

will

also other

knows

millions bank

Great

to her.

of her West

give

to

war.

Massachusetts

own

fall.

four

refuse

her in

she will lose her

also

or

meet

believe

not

States of Vermont

; the
no

an

to

is too valuable

trade

and

seamen,

hesitate

not

before, I do

Our

war.

our

the

things. Her subjects

publicdebt of the United

Louisiana

stock, and three

private debts to

stock, and have

twelve millions, amounting in
"

the

nearly forty millions of dollars. Will Great

Britain,by going to war, risk her provincesand this large
whole

to

to

property?

I think

Oowninshield

sat

of

amount

she will not

put

so

much

hazard."

When
took

the

floor.

In

triumphs,no
to occur
or was
before,

down, John Randolph

of oratorical
Randolph'slong career
such

moment

had

offered itself

again. Still in Virginian

eyes
the truest and ablest Republican
in Congress,the
and principle,
of power
the man
of
representative
the future,Randolph stood with the halo of youth,
ginian
a sort of Vircourage, and geniusround his head,
Saint Michael, almost
terrible in his contempt
"

for whatever

seemed

to him

base

or

untrue.

158

HISTORY

THE

OF

STATES.

UNITED

CH.

7.

began by saying that he entered on the subject

his lips
manacled, handcuffed, and tongue-tied;

He
"

"

sealed

were

well

as

is

"It

they do

dark

The
out

carryingon
a

chancellor

! if your

of the
and

observation

an

navigate a
he

are

finances
!

exchequer
keep

again

for the
Shall

"

leave
mad

this

not

be

he

are

The

coat,
strait-waist-

Ne

element

with

the

excited

by

Because
and

the

or

of such
take

can

reckoning, can
the

ultra

sutor

East, shall

crepidam

aside to express
:

Let

muscles

at

!"

tempt
con-

"

the

plunge

shark?

Indies

of

and

man

for

means

in the hands

are

democrats

great mammoth

and

ways

vessel of State, to stand

turned

Northern

his native
contest

and

public councils

and

Again

persons

"

log-book

to the West

cock-boat

of

such

serious refutation.

your

aspireto navigate the great

the helm

the

if these

you

war

with

of British property called

at Crowninshield

help

he fell

preamble

"

statesmen

proposed confiscation

God

"

would

water-gruel,and depletion."

room,

sneer

subject

reason

anything like
for such

arguments

proper

this
:

to

the

over

palsiedtongue

with

and

of time

waste

deserve

not

and

Crowninshield

and

mere

hobble

"

but

to do it ; "

him

Gregg

upon

could

he

his fettered limbs

as

enable

American

forest

into

the water

him

stay

and

periwinkles on

in

shore,

on

strand!"

point of policy Randolph took ground

at least consistent, the
which, if not warlike,was
ground which all Southern Republicansof the JefferOn

the

"

Annals

of

Congress,1805-1806,

p. 555.

would

school

;on

submit,
the form

mushroom,

trade

which

I will

"

cannot

in

actual

our

never

Leviathan
you

to

keep

to

that

do

"

of peace

first moment

would

no

"

consent

to

I deem

it

protect.

to the

with

end

nothing to protect
a
fungus of war,"
carrying-

this
the

at

not

Randolph declared

would

; he

absurd

"this

longer exist

Secretary wished

and

of resistance.

was

in the

if determined

Even

President

form

the

up

the

had

taken, if shame

have

them.

dthheld

159

SCHISM.

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

of

the

We

for

war

that

will shed

our

if you

last

which

dignity to

unable

are

; but

element

limits,we

to

sacrifice of

no

deep

own

your

go

to

of

say

contend
within

come

drop

blood

in

their defence."

Had

carried

with

him

Republicans;
needed

the

he had

face

of

except

to

gain

overthrown,

Southern

pliantand

so

Randolph took
Jefferson
friends.

two

the

for he

the self-control that

opponent

an

taking this

with

sympathy of

not

making enemies, while

enemy

been

secret

Jefferson.

as

in

have

not

but

in the

himself

contented

Randolph
he could
position,

rare

Not

ciliatory
con-

pleasure
made

never

was

one

satisfied with

and
attackingCrowninshield
Gregg, Randolph gave
full play to his anger
against the whole House, and
assailed

even

"

I have

the Executive

"

before

protested,and I again protest, against

secret, irresponsible,
overrulinginfluence. The first question
I asked
Is this

when

measure

Cabinet,but

the

saw

of the
of

an

gentleman's

Cabinet?

Not

Resolution
of

an

open

was,

clared
de-

invisible,
inscrutable,unconsti-

160

HISTORY

OF

Cabinet, without

tutional

Constitution.
who

not

the

first

what

measures

will

they

execute

their

opinion

the

on

subject of

opinion

of

we

therefore

that

My

too),

take

answer

they
have

(and

was

is

well

"

should

we

There

"

Cabinet

the

might

measures

Sir,

British

Congress ?

to

subject.

minister

Cabinet

its decisions.

recommend

them, and

must

the

whatever

that

knowing

from

is

men

which, although they

the

on

of

7.

the

to
"

House,

I asked

What

was,

CH.

influence,

Journals, govern

question that

relations

back-stairs

to this

the

on

appear

STATES.

unknown
responsibility,

of

speak

bring messages

do

UNITED

THE

longer any

no

Cabinet!'"

forbidden

Though

to

he was,

as

light:

and

Randolph dragged

quacks,
political

true

Sir, I blush

nostrums.
;

of

they

resemble

lozenges ;
the

Here

send

for

Cure-all ?

To

your
result
blush

know
at

to

sole
Madrid

where

least where

remedy.
of

the

occurred

tongue-

Spanish secret

your
tell.

When

have

the

And

where

are

'

! you

and

shoe

pinches.

the disease

lies,and

To

lible
infal-

an

going

your

to

hang
tell ! "

your

King

quacks

Paris

there

to

handbills

you

anxiously demands

nation

afraid

such

not

to

vertigoes of

government,
are

and

you

resolutions
of

No

the

and

disorders

ceedings
pro-

ing
worm-destroy-

"

arcanum

are

our

advertisements

the
4

of

cough-drops

deliberations, you
You

record

the

handbills

vegetablespecific,'

nervous

the

only in

deal

but

Church's

politicalpanacea,

; your

know

all

see

you

Sloan's

your

to

'

'

politicians.

excepted
not

there

whole,

remedy
brainsick

'

to

you

nothing

patent medicines.

crown

had

Like

"

what

session," manacled, handcuffed, and

in secret

tied"

mention

to

head

as

You

apply
the
and

Randolph

attacked

next

161

SCHISM.

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

1806.

He

Madison.

took

the

up

its argulate pamphlet and overwhelmed

secretary's
that France
declared
was
lent with contempt. He
of America
the real enemy
acting
; that England was

necessity; that the situation of

hirope had completelychanged since 1793, and that
igland occupied the placewhich France then held :
of the human
she is the sole bulwark
race
against
of

inder the dictates

dversal

dominion,

abandon

he proposedto
policy,

"r a

interests

iputatemercantile
I

into

will send

her

naval

on

money

sal object

to

was

lowledged at the
anything,have
If

"wer.

although it

would

turned

Until I

stretched

mercantile

be

megrims
deep, we

instead

"ple believed
III.

"

taunt

of

the

they were,
It

being
in

an

my

formallyacI

would,

have

us, the

embargo.

would

got

where
the

morning,

I behold
I

hands

first
six

As

to

it."

President

this

our

In

vanish.

stand

less

when

; this would

can

sick bed ; but when

a
"

to

; much

further

left among

into the House

came

on

its nation

VOL.

cut

I will

closingthis desultoryharangue, the

more

"

wisdom

do.

adversary's into

our

will always
hostility

all your

Before

is any

there

step toward

mce

and

she

I go

embargo

an

property home,

own

mths

laid

which

of 1783.

Peace

to

Britain.

Botany Bay,

or

limits

secure

and

money.

whatever

pretext

no

pretence of buying Labrador

is,

will not

Great

with

war

As

"

readilytell gentlemen what I

propitiateany foreignnation with

"t launch

"ur

commerce

can

rillnot

"
to her for it !

thanks

no

"

orator

"

I had

the

been

affairs of

hoped, and the

of responsible

162

HISTORY

men

committed

"

refuse

help feeling,the
I

sir, that

know,

we

do

what

and

him.

You

State.

of

the

even

stands

He

purchases

the

at

go below

when

mate

the

responsibility
upon

now

they

when

your

they are

open.

put

may

republic:

Government

furnish

with

the

cook

in

alter my

should

him

rection
di-

but

short

vessel
and

cation
appli-

the master

not

the

; I

he

throw

cabin-boy!

say less

to

scorn

they please ;
ban

to the

of the

course."

man

so

to the

necessary

consternation

throw

the

; the

say what

may

speech from

are

give

distress,and

and

shut

were

guide

Let

individual
insignificant

an

we

measure

means

him.

ship is

Gentlemen

I shall not

such

That

may

the

doors

buy Florida,

to

rests

and

so

concern.

it from

must

money

You

means

and

helm,

him

Louisiana.

cannot

say, that

receive

the

to

feel,I

free to

as

7.

of hostilities,
depends upon

course

give

of those

said

!) ,

to

as

do

serious
do

CH

Harry,

will, foreign relations,every

you

of war,

and

true

were

Executive

the

to

I
politics,

say, and

may
it

independent (would

of

deep

most

and

Dick,

Tom,

to

STATES.

UNITED

retail trade

the

of

THE

OF

the

among

No such event had

majority,was a matter of course.
ever
happened in Congress as the publicrebellion of
The Federalists had quarrelled
a great party leader.
as

but had
bitterly,
as
Randolph's

done
the

little harm

no

defection

had

it not

such

been

by Jefferson
sympathy. Nay,

secret

that in

and
as

to

and

of the Cabinet.

England, like

the

resistance

The
to

ous
seri-

would

have

denouncing

Madison

he

had

regarded Gregg's

Resolution,he expressed the feelingsof

himself

Yet

scandal.

might be, it

taken

course

much

made

the President

so-called resistance

Spain,was

sham,

RANDOLPH'S

JOHX

parties agreed

all

and

with

in

Randolph

opposing

retaliation.

serious

Nothing
his

keep

163

SCHISM.

needed

was

in

temper

could

order

trusted

be

that

but

win

to

Randolph should
triumph. leon
Napo-

give Jefferson

to

no

more

provincesat any price,for within a few days after

arrived
that
the battle
news
Randolph's outbreak
been
of Austerlitz had
fought, and the Treaty of
Pressburg signed. Jefferson himself could be trusted
from passing,for the
to prevent Gregg's Resolution
Pitt

that

news

almost
The

the

at

situation

entire

policymust
follow

he

consumed

was

Thinking

arrogance.

this could

He

ideas.

that

entirelynew

an

arrived

of Austerlitz.

that

changed

invented,and

be

Randolph's

meanwhile

had

in power

with

moment

same

Fox

and

dead

was

hardly fail to
only to wait; but

had

by
the

fever

time

had

of rage
to

come

and
stroy
de-

the

Secretaryof State,he set himself vigorously

to the task.
Day after day he occupied the floor,
with
and
virulence.
more
more
attacking Madison
He

insisted

been
"

that

managed
I do

forbid

who

man

under

"

speak

not

but

of

the

of

negotiated.

the terms

of the

Perdido

legislatedon
the bay 'and

shores

manner."

negotiator [Monroe]
drew

who
We

first to last had

bought

Treaty of

instruction

the

Louisiana

San

from

Ildefonso.

understanding, that country

and
our

imbecile

the

those

from

business

in the most

to the Executive
to

the

"

the

River

first claim

of

Bravo.
and

the Mobile

We

passed
into

God

"

of

the

France
ing
Accordextended

immediately
a

law

revenue

erecting
district.

164
What

fact?

the

was

Iberville

we

never

receive

to

Executive

of

STATES.

CH.

7.

were

without
legislating

been

told

the

We

Lakes.

the

and

for want

error,

had

directed

been

UNITED

That

We

information.
had

THE

OF

HISTORY

that

Laussat

country only

to

the

consequently legislatedin
information.

This

the

was

beginning."l
At

fatal

his last and

length,April7,Randolph committed
blunder
by going formallyinto opposition.

"

here,"

came

found

soon

there

in them
I found
I have

said, " prepared

in all its

the Government
I

he

would
I

therefore

I told them

measures.

was

choice

no

be

to

left,and

destroy the

and

will oppose

Such

in the face of a man

tactics,
Jefferson,invited failure.

of

offence

in

his

hand,

triumph, Randolph
himself

within

threw

few

and

weeks

operate
co-

ter.
characman.

them."

With

every

the

his chances

to

dent
supple as Presi-

so

with

that

honest

an

But

so.

national

be

might co-operate, or
opposed,

co-operate with

to

assurance

away

delivered

weapon

to

and
the

of

found
mercy

of

the Northern
and
democrats.
SecretaryMadison
Jefferson's strong qualities
called into play by
were
of attack.
Jefferson was
not apt
Randolph's method
he
to be violent, nor
was
despotic in temper; but
he

was,

he

and

carrying with
ablest

certain
had

limits,very

of his

tenacious

degree the habits

paternal despot. Randolph's sudden
assault,

purpose,
of

within

and

it

best
1

Annals

to

certain

twenty-fiveor thirty of the

Republicans in Congress, greatly

some

of

Congress,1805-1806,

p. 961.

'

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

President, who

the

larmed

the task of

to
jarnestly

for

irm,

Jefferson

13 the House

March

laid
taken

then

Ficholson's was
to

of

"

old
in

resources

licans,"
Repubcoaxing

Gregg's Resolution aside ;

17, and
up, adopted March

specialcommittee

little love for

had

and

his

easilyheld

were

their leader.

to desert

;nt

exhausted

quietlyand

to his shattered

for the rebellious cohort

'irginia.As

icm

democrats

Randolph

they hated

himself

set

restoringorder

Northern

The

)lumns.

165

SCHISM.

framed

be

to

as

Bill.

[eanwhile the President

busilyconciliated opposition;

id his first thought was

of Monroe

rrote

to

of

the centre

become

his

warn

takingcommon

it

"reak

that

lied
"

the

news

of

censure

Some

of

^solutions
of
lajority

mblicans
shall

and

join

be

passed

this

place

time
to the

Jefferson to

to

im-

"

Mr.
.

of

whenever

Federalists.

Maryland

you

Monroe,

March

in

Nicholson's

Republicans against

Pinkney

are

but

you,

think

When
as

your

Britain.
be

fifteen

Re-

passed,
associate
He

authorized

will
to

yourself obliged to

return."
1

was

Jefferson,1

settlingour differences with Great

depart on a fortnight'snotice, and will
your

of

week, probably by

for

ike

task

same

friendshipfor

great injury.

twenty-seven

Mr.

The

submit

must

of

out

hundred

one

at the

friends," wrote

new

you

will

Randolph.

Monroe

16 Jefferson

against the danger

necessary

old ones,

to render

way

was

certain

mission.
special

your

ittackingyour

friend
with

because
lifficult,

London,

intrigue. March

old

cause

in

16, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

166

HISTORY

THE

OF

STATES.

Cn.

7.

again.1 In the interval

Nicholson's
Resolution had been adopted by a vote of
and
eighty-sevento thirty-five,
Randolph's minority
had been reduced,beyond the
of Republicanmembers
half-dozen grumblers.
President's hope, to a mere
days later

Two

"

Jefferson.
more

to be

best

the

better

proof

at once,

At

and

the

"

"

wrote

before

withdrew

R.

Mr.

wrote

he

UNITED

I have

the

never

question

seen

solidlyunited in doing
for the public interest.

than

the

almost

fact

so

what

of

sentative
Repre-

they

There

eminent

unanimously, be

moment

same

that

House

put,"

was

believe
be

can

leader

no

should

abandoned."

Randolph

wrote

to

Monroe

Republican party was broken in pieces,and

united in the support
that the
old Republicans were
dolph
of Monroe
againstMadison for the Presidency.2Ranof the atmosphere of intrigue
complained bitterly
which surrounded
the Administration
; but as regarded
Jefferson's retort was
him
at least,
plausiblethat he
had never
found fault with intrigueso long as he had
share
in it. After
a
challengingthe contest with
dent,
Madison, he had only himself to blame if the Presiused the weapon
who was
of intrigue,
a master
freelyto defend his favorite and himself.
To detach Randolph'sfriends from their leader was
an
objectwhich the President pursued with zeal and
Monroe
He was
success.
a little disposedto overawe
;
but he was
glad to conciliate Joseph Nicholson, next
to Randolph the most
old Republican
formidable
that

the

"

"

"

Jefferson to

Adams's

Monroe, March

Randolph, p.

18, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

199-202.

"

JOHN

ISM.

publiclife.

in

Nicholson

loved

he

On

Madison.

the

by conflicting
pathies
sym-

torn

was

other

hand

and

16T

SCHISM.

Randolph, and

by marriage

Gallatin
a

RANDOLPH'S

he

he

largefamily,Nicholson found
he
unprofitable
; and when

poor

the life of

to

with

man,

man
Congress-

offered

was

love

not

attached

was

respect.

did

seat

on

Sixth

of the

Maryland Circuit,
he accepted the appointment. April 9, 1806, his
read to the House, and the
letter of resignationwas
knew
that Randolph had lost his strongest
democrats
Bench

the

Judge

as

friend.
The

Macon

other

resource

Some

but

he

defeat

these
in

for

necessary

Jefferson
this

is

of

events

point

never

in Macon
At
1

of the

resort;

no

him.

the

and

you

can

least,on

tares

Speaker,

and

Monroe

part
not

was
as

sincere

more

friend
to

bottom

Jefferson to

last

at

tween
bethe

son
liftingNichol-

myself nothing
be

my

necessary

to

dence
confi-

part, my

unqualifiedthat nothing

was

to

doubt

to

awe
over-

out

was

not, is sowing

know

At

To

further

is

satisfaction."

threatened
of

explanation

so

my

advance

only
coax

Between

endeavors.

you

him

President

4t

opportunities

buy

to

warning

was

Bench.1

the

was

we

the

wrote

when

to

whom

enemy,

to

left than

was

us,"
moment

him

crush

dealt with.

be

to

impossible;

was

question;to

44

remained

Speaker

it

from
him
so

was

remained

Macon, March

whom
:

but

the

the

in

making

course

of

unfortunatelythe
Jefferson's

much

Macon'

than

confidence

dence
confiin Jefferson.

unpleasantthought

22, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

168

HISTORY

had

Jefferson

that

THE

OF

Republican;

to be either

ceased
chosen

had

STATES.

UNITED

friends and

other

7.

Virginian or

Macon, other objectsand ambitions

than

CH.

advisers

than

Macon

pursued.
treated with delicacy.Jefferson
Even
Randolph was
him
would
back, had Randolph
gladlyhave won
admitted
didacy
a hope that he would
accept Madison's canthat point no
on
compromise could be
; but
fate was
Madison's
ance.
conceived.
trembling in the balSacrifice of Madison
was
impossibleto the
isfy
satPresident,and nothing short of sacrifice would
old Republican schism
must
Randolph. The
"

"

therefore

his power

exhausted
fixed

when

out

misguided

show

had

he

of General

brother

longer

Samuel
trust

crushing

the

in the

in the

did

wavering,

House

thought,
it

of this moment
from

the

Samuel

Cabinet

Senate

was

that

to the

of

fusion
con-

Government.
an

ample
ex-

Smith.
so

near

Jefferson

Cabinet

sary
neces-

merely selfish

the

punish, by making

Senator

secrets

he

as

think

not
to

terms

in the

his

honest,and

use

could

and

Smith

Robert

made

to exact

that

showed

back

won

deference

equal

in order

these

Jefferson

men,

interests which

He

he

President

The

in

forbearingin regard to
to

be dealt with.

too

were

allegianceto Madison, and carried

of the arena
; but although gentle and

Gallatin

Nicholson

schismatics

itself;the

to
respectable

and

honest

left to

be

to

could

his
no

itself. After

Randolph's oppositionto

the

Spanish policy,and after yieldingto Smith and the

in regard to a specialEnglish mission, the
Senate

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

'resident
of

ie

which

wished
assumed

plan

dder

would

and

"me,

The

defeated

that

Monroe

He

had

in-law

an

way

son
Wil-

his brother-in-law
written

even

Smith

account

of his

had

written

"Monroe

remain

his

to

assure

projectwas

and

general

of

generally
"

As

only exceptions:
shall

join

to

treaty

him

aversion

Madison.
error.

be

ought

London.
Samuel
MSS.

A
Smith

to

believe

good
to

W.

mission

merchant
to

all ; and

will

either

mind

To
of

you

Federalist

go

make

such

the

as

envoy

S.

S.

able

an
a

one

tinction
distraordinary,
ex-

Two

chant
mer-

commercial

treaty

leading

there

is

and

Mr.

you

into

intended
originally

is to

C. Nicholas,

some

President

for

were

of

"

until the whole

now

to

two,

Great

here, this proposal

wish

apologize
that

of

remain

case

leave

meant

"

Britain.
the

lie would

universally

Monroe

; in

in

I still do

by

settled,many

Great

with

rooted

say

may

disappointment: 1

and

information

desired

was

"

to his brother-

wrote

that

minister, the other

as

business

hopes

; therefore

in November

Britain

his

on

unexpected interference of

and

April 1, 1806, Samuel

for

was

Smith's

President.

the

to

supposed

was

General

appointment,when

the

the secret

by

it

and

by a regular minister,
negotiations,by a special
to be himself; the
was

to be

was

Nicholas.
of

Nicholas

whence

aid

to

succeeded

be

minister

Gary

appointments,

minister

new

return.

special envoy

irmanent

certain

to

commercial

ssisted,for
ivoy.

London,

in

Monroe

it

that of

was

Monroe

icceed

make

requiredto

was

169

SCHISM.

succeed

Monroe,

April 1, 1806;

olas
Nich-

170

HISTORY
has

and

of

knowledge

astonished

UNITED

privatelywritten

been

the

THE

OF

his

of

mentioned

he

when

any

to

STATES.
the

by

President

Cabinet

what

he

CH.

7.

out
with-

they appeared

had

done."

good Federalist thus put over Smith's head was

William
Pinkney, a prominent lawyer of Smith's city
Such
of Baltimore.
a
step without consulting the
was
a
Smiths, and against their personal interests,
The

strong

the

on

measure

part of Jefferson,
quite out

keeping with his ordinary practice. Offence

in

friends
his

to

order

factious

so

reduced

to

Smith's

General

taste ; but

of tried

conciliate Federalists

to

to

as

He

submission.

little

was

conduct

had

come
be-

reproof. Smith

warrant

had

was

dolph's
in Ran-

shared

not

of

but
against the Spanish policy,

bitterness

he

of the old Republican

use
attempted to make
after Randolph's
schism for his personalobjects
; and
overthrow, Smith could no longer venture upon open
opposition.Though beaten by only one vote in his
attack on
Armstrong's nomination, Smith felt that
dolph's
final by the collapseof Ranmade
his defeat was

had

He

rebellion.

will

but obedience

was

simply, Buy

The

by great majoritiessaid, Buy !

little disagreeable.
a
buying appears
to

it

perfectlyhonest
Spain

coerce
was

her

to
own

no

chase,
pur-

to the

sell that

to induce

which

property,

and

fight!

or

Houses

believe

that

"

question

"The

Nicholas

to the Florida

nothing remained

that

President's

to

could be made

effective resistance
and

admitted

she
from

has

of

manner

Politicians

France

Both

'

by

will
'

money

clared
absolutelyde-

which

she

would

RANDOLPH'S

JOHN

1806.

not

of

views

our

and

to

members

adhere

their

than

session

four

conduct

President

pelled
com-

their

and

south

ever,
How-

has

for

north

Potomac

Madison

spleen.

Executive

the

own

the

east,
fall

they

discipline

daily

Republican

only

confirmed

The

few
the

with

remaining
result.

clared
de-

Randolph's
dexterity,
As

uprising.

restored,

was

victory

side.

Jefferson's

than

before.

ever

confusion,

President's

more

old

of

months
the

on

even

to

this

tiation,
nego-

allegiance."

itself

violence,

his

sion
explo-

this

little

poor

vents

by

the

the

the

he

and

round

to

after

Thus,

April

rally
From

preservation.

last

nobody,

spares
all

fatal

this

public

abortive

and

Executive

the

this

render

will

plans

Against

he

that

expects

and

make

unpopular.

from

Randolph

Mr.

part.

171

SCHISM.

Madison

was

early

as

stronger

days

of

the

CHAPTER

THE

President's

March

17, for

President

triumph
that

on

Armstrong

upon

could

no

one

knew

The

to

sleepon

session

weeks

that

which

marked

or

; and

Senate
in

assault

by Vice-

the

House,

non-importation policy

in his

John

early as

as

Smith's

in the

the

at

Jefferson's

either the President

future

to

although even

doubt

who

day General

casting vote

Randolph's resistance
againstEngland ended
one

decided

was

defeated

was

Clinton's

; but

VIII.

discomfiture
that

drawal
with-

and

early moment

irresistible

Randolph could
his Secretaryof

no

strength,yet
suppose

State

was

that
in

roses.

April 21

ended

intervened

; and

during

the

few

Randolph's defeat,
March
ginian
17, and the adjournment,the exasperated Virdeveloped a strange and unequalled genius.
His positionwas
The
alternation
of threat and
new.
reluctant
and
obedience,
entreaty, of loftymenace
in its
admirer

the

dealingswith
in

the

between

conduct
France

United

of the
and

States.

State

England,
When

Department
had

no

Randolph

real
nounced
de-

not a voice was

Spanishpolicy,
raised in its defence,and the publicwondered
that so
powerful a President should be left an unprotected

the

change

in

MADISON'S

1806.

victim

have

must

could

assaults

to

"

hope

every

sudden

his

of

no

Madison

the

self
him-

of

resource

abandonment

extinguish in

to

In truth

tongue-tied
;

been

excuse

furious.

so

173

ENEMIES.

of the

French

logic
mination
deter-

government

controversy with Spain into

turning our

ceeded
job,publicor private." Even had he sucin excusing himself,his success
have
must
ing
proved that Randolph's crime consisted in maintainthe ground which
had been taken
and
held by
down
to
President, secretary, and plenipotentiaries
the moment, Oct. 23, 1805, when
without
explanation
abandoned.
Silence and
the ground was
numbers
the only arguments in defence of such a change,
were
forms
of logic the followers
and
to these
of the
a

French

Administration

first resorted.

at

of great astonishment
to Jefferson

Nicholas
as

have

we

and

seen

not

have

word

said

one

Toward

this silence ceased

been
in

the

such

but

the

uttered

Gary
philippic
in

gress,
Con-

of the
justification
end

of

majority made

in the
difficulty

majorityfelt more
by Randolph in
two

months

and

energy

and

Bidwells

the

that

matter

Wilson

wrote

"

the

session

great efforts

answers

were

weaker

the silence.

Besides this

For

Randolph;

answer

than

April 2,

could

Administration."1

to

me,"

to

It is

"

W.

than
his

ever

vigor

he controlled

of will.
of New

C. Nicholas

to

nature

the
and
the

of the case, the

advantage enjoyed
quickness of mind.
House

by audacity

The

Crowninshields,Yarnums,
England, the Sloans, Smilies,

Jefferson,
April 2, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

174

HISTORY

THE

OF

STATES.

UNITED

CH.

8.

Findleys of the Middle States,could do nothing

done
with them
'with him; but by the time he had
bruised
and
mortified, angry, and
they were
sore,
of this superiority,
consciousness
ridiculous.
The
heightened to extreme
by the need of
arrogance
of flies which
a swarm
brushing away every moment
seemed
to know
never
they were
crushed, excited
He set no bounds
to the expression
Randolph to madness.
of his scorn
crats,
demonot only for the Northern
and

House

for the

but

At

itself and

member

one

imperiously bade him sit

back-stairs;another member

he

shook

down
he

for the whole

his

to

or

fist,and
down

go

called

ernment.
gov-

the

old toothless

an

driveller,
superannuated,and mumbling in second
dotage.1 He flung Madison's pamphlet with violent
contempt
House

itself that
hours

.two

the floor of the

on

Sloan

it could

House
not

; and

he

told the

decision

maintain

together against the Yazoo

lobby.

of New

Jersey,a sort of butt in the party,

who
could
not
forgiveRandolph's allusion to the
retorted that Randolph behaved
vegetablespecific,"
like
maniac
in a strait-jacket
broke
a
accidentally
"

"

out

of his cell."

the

charge ;

trouble
three

and

but

opinion,and

extreme

of the

began

by every means
beyond them.
Annals

doubt

his conduct

the less the

none

caused

fourths

No

House

the

maniac

confusion.
to

came

attempt

in their power,

of

was

gave
Even

share

to control

they

Congress,1805-1806,

open

found

p. 1107.

to

great
after

Sloan's

Randolph
the

task

175

ENEMIES.

MADISON'S

1806.

Non-importation Bill,framed
quickly reported,and
Resolution,was
The

agreed

House

could

should

Act

the

which

not

prevent

contemptible,if

in

Never

this

the

such

witnessed

the

to be

three

object

of

Randolph

Two

of

forth

in

as

dose

These

they were

and

to

had

taken

and

it

he could

life,"he cried,1 have

It
...

What

Ohio, who
Annals

is it?

chicken-broth
is too
to

the

excite the

feelings

of

ninety-

vote

the

on

floor felt

foreignminister

every

tone.

same

the

members

and

person,

struck

was

to

the

like Matthew

civil officer,

seat

in the

direction

Lyon, who
senator

for army

26, 1806, p.

President,

Smith, the

largecontractor

Congress,March

declaring
a

in every

House,

contracts, or John
a

of civil and

the union

Government

Resolutions

of

be

contemptible

incapableof holding a

was

to

he called up certain Resolutions

reproof to

mail

as
inefficiency

Europe."

under

individual

make

to

of

unconstitutional

such

as

House.

on

people of England

the world.

right,and

was

contractor

and

from

already;

consideration, or

militaryauthorityin
a

date

could

indignityand

to

days afterward

denouncing
that

the

"

my

Washington adopted his

at

the

as

he

but

immediately passed by
thirty-two
; but every man

to

25

operation. Randolph

Bill

The

that

and

hence

months

pettiestState

of the

so

of

scene

Bill !

milk-and-water
nine

not

was

course

holds

measure

taken

its passage,

March

derision.

treat it with
"

it

into

go

Government

the

encourage

15

fix November

to

Nicholson's

on

851.

sup-

176

THE

OF

HISTORY

plies. General

Wilkinson

militarypowers

; the

the

under

of the

at

of

name

party itself and embarrassed

by

very

points,Randolph succeeded
Bill that rendered

incapableof holding also

into

some

similar

sent

down

had

after

soon

Senate

them

censured

Government.

Beaten

two

ure
meas-

March

29

by

of its hottest

Senate

the

claims ;. it

of nineteen

vote

House

the

bringing

settlingthe Yazoo

death

the

ernor
gov-

principles

civil office. This

any

dilemma.

Bill for

passed the

declaratory
in carrying through the
militaryand naval officers

day passed without

to be organized

the table of the Senate.

sleptquietlyon
Hardly

for

these

large majoritieson

civil and

to have

was

vote

the

House

held

of the cardinal
a

CH.

against Randolph's

vote

one

Republican party ;

the

St. Louis

Michigan

sort.

same

STATES.

territoryabout

new

contravened

Resolutions
of

UNITED

to eleven

tor
opponent, Sena-

of

Georgia. Randolph exultingly

the Bill in order to plasterit,like the
seized upon
thief,against the very
hue-and-cry after a runaway
Jackson

James

doors

This

the

of the

head

it is the
whole

of

the

weight

of

has

government

"

had

has

all the

seat

Omega,

with

me

here.

bias

it.

to

The

which

presses

whole

the Yazoo
is the

It is

Alpha.

Republican party

government

This

mischiefs

last letter of

of the whole.

cause

against
a

the

it is the
the

among

Executive

up

since I had
created

covert

the

bear

cannot

; but

divisions

and

secret

be called the

Bill may

politicalalphabet

the

We

House

White

The
it

on.

Executive

interest

originalsin

ever

which

gentlemen pretend

to

MADISON'S

impressment

the

on

irow

This

what.

is the

cause

177

ENEMIES.
of

our

of those

God

and

seamen,

mischiefs

which

knows
existed

ago."

years

sin, he

Yazoo

The

failure

of his

cause

; the

Chase

secret

said, had
in the

been

principal

one

impeachment of Justice
of Government

mechanism

would

that if
powerfullybrought to bear on members
the Bill were
postponed over
Sunday he would not
givea farthingfor the issue ; gentlemen would come
until a majority
in with speechesready cut-and-dried
dwindled to nothing. Exasperating and insultingas
did not resent
this language was, the House
it ; and
that the Bill be rejectedpassed by a vote
motion
a
while Randolph exulted over
of sixty-twoto fifty-four,
be

so

its fate.
31

Randolph, aided by the Federalists and

in removing the
some
thirtyRepublicans,succeeded
injunctionof secrecy from the Spanish proceedings.
the Journal
No sooner
was
published,and he found
March

contain

that it did not

of Dec.

6, 1805, than

publicall
after

that had

moving

taken from
of his

the President's
he

occurred

the

message

this chance

in secret

injunctionof
Message, he entered

that the

relations with

own

seized

secret

session.
secrecy
into

the President

to

make

April 5,
should be,

the

and

history
Secretary

of State in the

tangledthread of Spanishnegotiations.
His remarks
that day,though severe, were
tively
compararenewed
temperate ; but when the debate was
meant
to oppose
that he
April 7, he announced
the

Government,because
VOL.

III.

"

12

he

had

to

choose

between

178

HISTORY

THE

OF

UNITED

oppositionand dishonesty.
had

tried

to

get

He

the

Treasury

waiting for a vote

that the documents,

negotiationwithout
and

declared

he

would
and

fix

high

would

stain

passion;

rouse

if his

up

his

vote

Randolph

beaten

was

of Madison's

On

Message
hinted

even

that

the

dollars
two

had

several

duel.

On

majority of
publishedthe
refusal to print
a

with which

sum

should

hundred

talked

House
of
be

and

one

President

The

of

much

to build

his readiness

of the

committee

that

their

and
a

of courage

want

House.

the

overawed

had

had

Virginia,

thority
point of real importance Randolph's au-

every

Annual

of

son's
Madi-

chieflycharged.

they were

the

by

he

friends,and

Message showed

the

temper.

foreshadowed

ocean

began to
equal him

not

high tone,

seventy-fourto forty-four
; but
secrets

government

G. Jackson
a

which

expressionspassed
the

in

charges

of

violence

in

brother-in-law,John
took

published,

in the

could

this

if

"

denunciations

opponents

debate, they could

in

His

out."

wash

not

for

Congress ;

all the waters

in office which

8.

of

in the

men

some

upon

CH.

that Madison

charged

from

money

STATES.

in his

defences,and

seventy-fours.

reported Resolutions
hundred

spent

in

vising
ad-

sand
fiftythouharbors ;
fortifying

fiftythousand

and

dollars should

gunboats ; and that six

appropriatedto build fifty
and sixtythousand
hundred
dollars should be voted
these
toward
building six line-of-battle ships. When
Resolutions
were
brought up March 25, only thirty
could be found to vote for the seventy-fours.
members
be

MADISON'S

15
dth

the

subject came
for

Bill

the

gunboats. Josiah
warning Congress
interests which

danger

was

of

West

; while

"

yet

of

the

of its

the

connection

He
been

to

while

buy Louisiana

in

and

four hundred

and

for Indian

lands,

since

expended

government

that

manence
per-

securing the South

be voted

must

the

to

remarked
voted

of

sum

policy,there

prosperitybut

single session

dollars
entire

the

in

sacrifice of commercial

bottom

sake

in this

fiftythousand

the

had

for the

Florida

and

in the

Union.

millions

seventeen

that

only to

the

again

up

and
fortifyingharbors
building
a
Quincy made
strong argument,

lay at

not

179

ENEMIES.

the

dation
foun-

fortifications for the

was
capitalharbors of the Union
only seA'en
hundred
and
twenty-fourthousand dollars. The city
of New
million dollars
York, with at least one hundred
of capitalin deposit,might at any moment
be
laid under
contribution
by two line-of-battle ships.
in mind
that the
to bear
Quincy begged the House
for the land
could not be abandoned
ocean
by the
would
thousands
people of New
England, of whom
rather
boat-hook
than all the sheep-crooks in
see
a

nine

the

world

"

"Concerning the land

Virginia [Randolph] and

[Macon] think
fact to
which

them

they

their young

deep."

so

only

much,
a

the

their

while

they

from

think

from

eyrie
skim

the

one

they

shelter

build

which

of

and

the

very

the

gentleman

hide
surface

Carolina

North

It

little.

storm,

their
or

from

is in

perch
mate

hunt

on

and

in the

180

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

8.

far superior to the ordinary

Quincy's speech was
level of Congressionalharangues, and
its argument
'was
extreme
as
warmly supported by a democrat
as
Matthew
Lyon ; but barelythirtyvotes could be mustered
againstRandolph's economy
; and
although the
New
joinedhands with the New
England democrats
England Federalists in supporting an appropriation
for buildingtwo new
frigatesin place of others which
had been lost or condemned, they could muster
only
votes against Randolph's phalanx.
forty-three
to
Probably no small part of Randolph's hostility
the navy was
due to his personal dislike for Robert

Smith

the

This

senator.

trouble
Robert

secretary,and

in

enmity alreadyshowed
Gallatin

store.

Smith's

the

to

Smiths, whose

of the

signs of

struggled in

the

serious

vain

with

olson,
Joseph NichGallatin,naturallydrew away
authorityin Maryland roused

ill-feeling.
Randolph took
because
Nicholson, the more
to

Samuel

loose habit of accounts.

closelyallied
from

for his brother

act

an

session,and

sides

Gallatin

with

Samuel

Smith

independent part
had

had

in the

and
dertaken
un-

politics

plainlybetrayed selfish
When
motives.
Randolph, after delaying the navy
estimates
the appropriaas
long as he could,moved
tions
April 10, he took the opportunity to be more
said that an
than
He
usuallyoffensive.
tion
AppropriaBill

was

well be

might

as

would

spend

done

the year

mere

too

matter

of form

lumped together;

twice

the amount

before,and

that

; that

that

if he

the

the items

secretary

chose,as

the House

he had

would

have

MADISON'S

to make
"

the

up

deficiency.

anticipatehis wants."
Bill passed,of
The

only in

doubt

no

but

it

that

the

was

they

defence

enforced

land

nothing was

was

duced
re-

navy

the

President's

Randolph

and

his friends

of

theories

old

"

could

without

vital

good

as

be ;

ever

"

factiousness.

without

theory was

Republican

be relaxed

so

their

land,and

such

never

never

to

to

response

on

as

curse

could

enough

possiblepoint,and fiftygunboats

sound

as

fast

the

; but

strong recommendations.
believed

said he,
spendthrift,"
money

course

provided in

alone

were

lowest

the

to

"

supplied with

be

never

can

181

ENEMIES.

principles

suicide,and
defence

For
roads.

on

million

appropriatedfor roads to Sackett's Harbor,

have
Erie,Detroit, St. Louis, and New Orleans would
of land defence,worth
than
more
been, as a measure
all the gunboats and
forts that
be crowded
could
the Senate
down
sent
along the Atlantic ; but when
dollars

Bill

creating commissioners
road

was

the

result of

pledged
under

its

defeated
defence

that,

the

Bill.

by

Nelson's

and

land

guns
of

native

faith,so

them,

the

change
No

lash

to which

this

road
had

Congress

of four votes

more

done

was

by water, although

Trafalgar was

plundered

American

Ohio, although

land
Cumber-

Republicans opposed it
another, with John
Randolph

than
at

the

lay out

many

or
a

of

contract

pretext

one

among

State

the

to

to

American

seamen

of British

loud

as

would
for

national

the
as

echo
the

merchants,

condemned

boatswains.

to

the

have

of

plaints
com-

and

of

tyranny

182

HISTORY

The

OF

drift of

he

wanted

for

having

to

support.

to

Madison
him

That

he

taken

warlike

His

tactics

succeeded

without

almost

was

home

far
a

as

with
it

abroad

and

8.

shame
meant

never

calculated

were

make

to

by inviting

of

foreign governments.
foreigngovernments were

outrages
so

which

tone

CH.

easilyseen

Administration

the

cover

the worst

concerned

STATES.

was
Randolph's opposition

contemptibleat

upon

UNITED

THE

of course,

matter

since

even

Spain, France, and England could

an
outrage which they had not already
at home
because
Randolph's scheme failed,
could
be degraded only by making

aid

his

hardly invent
inflicted ; but

Madison

The
people share in his humiliation.
of responsibility
for
old Republicansrelieved Madison
national
able
disgrace,and made
Congress itself answerfor whatever
disasters might follow, a result

the

American

"

made

clear

To

assault.
the

by Randolph's last

purchase

of

Non-importation
Gallatin

revenue,

the
after

the

the

meet

threatened

needed

Mediterranean
peace

with

all the

Fund,

mischievous

most

five millions

Florida, at
Act

and

required

for

when

the

down

the

moment
to

cut

existing taxes,
which

ceased

by

cluding
in-

law

Tripoli. April 14 Randolph

tin,
knowledge or consent of Galla-

suddenly,without the
salt. This heavy
moved
to repeal the duty on
lars,
and unpopulartax produced about half a million doland its repealwas
so
popularthat no one dared
next day Randolph brought in a Bill
it. The
oppose
ranean
repealingthe salt tax and continuingthe Mediterhad become
Fund.
By that time members

)ut

far from

so

of

the Committee
could

iince he

sequester the

revenue

his

surplus. After

speech

leave but

to

as

so

Bill

the

keep

to

he
specificappropriations

of

limit

rithin the

proclaimed that

Government

the

force

not

Means

and

Ways

the chairman

his purpose,

disavowing

them

denounced

motives, and

factious

of his

aware

183

ENEMIES.

MADISON'S

meant

scanty

engrossed

was

opposition,the Federalists being pleased to

the Republicans afraid
ibarrass Government, and
popularity.April 17 the Bill passed by
sacrificing

dthout

of

vote

to
eighty-four

struck

lere

out ; but

session,the

le

the

Bill

mischief,not
as

to

)vernment
tean

tduced

destroy

the

exerted
in

which

House

salt tax

the

Senate

to

raimittee of conference

was

was

day

of

his powers

repeal the

Bill,and

insist upon

the

again before

produced nearly a
to

last

to the utmost

order

to

sent

came

of its still greater resource,

Fund,
the

to

mutilated

much

so

was

when, April 21, the

so

House, Randolph

and

related

part which

The

mate.

eleven

its

so

salt

deprive

the Meditermillion.
Bill.

own

appointed;

the

He
A

Senate

that the House

Randolph moved
[here.
passed; ill-temperbegan to
Angry words
beaten
at last Randolph was
by
"revail; and when
of forty-seven
to forty,his relative
vote
le
narrow
Mann
lomas
Randolph, the President's son-in-law,
in terms
and
spoke of his namesake
iddenly rose
[tended for a challenge;while Sloan of New
Jersey
icupiedpart of the night with a long diatribe against
rould

ie

not

chairman

recede

of the

Ways

and

Means

Committee.

184
Never

in

than

had

worse

the

last weeks

their

of

for

8.

Washington
Madison's

undignified,

was

chance
the

not

was

Cu.

session.

this

longed

Randolph

courage.

at

seen

their attitude

that

and
irritable,

became

been

temper

friends,conscious

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

to

only

prove
enemy

personalhatred to the
In the case
task of ruining the Secretaryof State.
neither
not to blame, and
of Randolph Madison
was
the
Even
contest.
a
policy
challenged nor wished
less the
which
Randolph so violentlyassailed was
son
Madipolicyof the secretarythan of the President.
could have
did nothing to invite the storm, and
done nothing to escape it ; but another
tempest raged,
he voluntarily
to which
exposed himself.
of
The Marquis of Casa Yrujo passed the autumn
and in obedience
1805 in Philadelphia,
to instructions
tried to renew
friendlyrelations with the Secretary
of State.
During Madison's stay in the city Yrujo
who

induced

the

The

the

Spain
had

without

nothing
such

not

was

defying

attention

no

to

that

to

he

the

would

government

delay.

He

as

to

of

conduct
deter

his heart's

content

him

sent

confer

favor

by returning

well

was

hints

that

aware

gain by conferring more

the

ner
to din-

invitation

an

States

to

Jefferson ; and

accept

McKean, Yrujo'sfather-in-law.

President

United

the

to

Governor

marquis paid

from

of

energy

secretary

meet

to

on

the

devoted

Turreau

favors
and

to

he
on

Merry

Spanish minister from

the authorityof the

President.
On

the

appearance

of the Annual

Message, which

MADISON'S

contained

185

ENEMIES.

general and loose

of

statement

grievances

against Spain,Yrujo wrote Dec. 6, 1805, a keen

not without
to the Secretaryof State,criticising,
the assertions

note,

as

to

of

an

St.

the

secretarymade
Executive

made

no

the President.

by

Domingo

reply.

He

note

held

communication

to

of
that

To

Congress

tice,
jus-

Yrujo's

Turreau,
the

note

the

contents
were

not

diplomaticdiscussion, a doctrine doubtless

convenient
to the Executive,
correct in theory and
but offeringthe
disadvantage that if foreign governments
their envoys
chose to disregard it,the
or
either enforce disciplineor
Secretary of State must
Madison
lenge
submit to mortification.
accepted the chalaimed
and
to enforce discipline,
at
; he meant
cided
expellingYrujo from the country. The Cabinet dethat Yrujo,pending the request for his recall,
should
to his letters,
and
should
receive no
answer
in Washington.
not be permitted to remain
Backed
by the President's authorityand by the
of the government, Madison
might reasonably
power
the Spaniard,and
he
expect an easy victory over
of course
that Yrujo
acted as though it were
a matter
should accept his fate ; but Yrujo seemed
unconscious
of peril. Athough
the Spanish minister's
presence
not
to be desired by
well known
at the capital
was
the President,the societyof Washington was
startled
Jan. 15, 1806, by learning that the marquis had
rived.
arThe same
evening Yrujo, dining with General
open

to

Turreau,
to

"

received

formal

passion only equalledby

note

the

which

roused

temper of John

him
Ran-

186

OF

HISTORY

The

dolph.
said

that

as

and
recall,

as

THE

STATES.

UNITED

CH.

8.

exasperating letter,signed by Madison,

had
President
the
requested Yrujo's
Cevallos

intimated

had

that the

marquis

Spain on leave,it had been supposed

have
taken
that the departure would
place at
at Washington was
once, and therefore his appearance
of surprise:
a matter

wished

to

to

return

"

"

signifyto

to

me

circumstances

these

Under

him

to
dissatisfactory

himself
States

on

that

although

he

he

season,

unnecessarilypostponed

after

the

expects
this

charged
place is

cannot

departure from

your

inclement

an

has

at this

remaining

your

; and

insist

to

during

be

not

that

you

the President

mit
per-

United
it will

obstacle

has

ceased."

diplomatistwould have protested and

routine
not
a
diplomatist.
obeyed ; but Yrujo was
Not in order to learn correct deportment had he read
studied the etiquetteof Jefferson's
the
Aurora
or
pele-mele. Minister and marquis as he was, he had
instinct which
the
that democratic
always marked
made
the
and
even
Spanish race
beggars proud ;
Turreau
and caused
while
his love of a fray shocked
man.
Merry to look upon his Spanish colleagueas a madA

routine

"

"

At
or

feared

that

by

Madison

moment
one

any

the

little esteemed

was

recoil

of

prostrated him, and Randolph

secret
session,overwhelming him

policyhad
day,

in

Yrujo
contest
was

not

his

; but
a

man

had

even

to

no

had

reason

there

regard it.

to

been

fear the
cause

foreign

was

every

with

tempt.
con-

result of
for

fear,he

MADISON'S

in vain

Turreau

after

As

hatch

object of my journey is not with a view to

which
plots,"said he, with a side-blow at Madison
the

secretary
and

innocent

character

long

personal

add

that

respects

as

mutual

desires

to

are

be

convenience.

the

lose

and

thus

Department
still

retaliated Madison's

the

"Having

gone

just motives
to your

sir,what

than

stances
circum-

two

our

States

insult,
Yrujo

letter of the
otherwise

15th

would

inst.,I
then

the

United

orders

must

in

to

the

language

of his letter

that

reply; namely, that

minister plenipotentiary
of
States

sent

next

"

through the personal explanationswhich

I was
compelled to enter into in my first

sole

same

United

public. January 19 he
formal
protest,couched

offensive

more

answer

the

in which

season

departure from

my

master

my

at

these

the

resides,

King

must

sight of

period

in

remaining

the
I

public

therefore

Government

of

ment
enjoy-

use

his revenge

made

you,

intend

as

an

accomplished."

Having

for

for

Making

interest

I shall not

in the full

me

the

is

here

privileges,both

in which

suit the

arrival

my

leaves

privileges,I

square,

it may

own

my

44

private individual.

miles

as

which

rights and

rightsand

city,four

time

legal act,

or

of these

or

understood,

soon

all my

of

as

him; nothing

it.

answered

the

restrain

attempted to

satisfy
Yrujo but defiance. January 16,the day
the Spanish minister
receivingMadison's letter,

would

44

1ST

ENEMIES.

receives
also

both the styleand

no

declare

tenor

have

envoy

of your

constituted

Majesty

except from
you, sir, that
letter

inform

now

my

extraordinaryand

his Catholic

to

must

as

near

his
I

the
eign.
sover-

consider

indecorous, and

188
its

HISTORY

object

an

THE

OF

infraction

UNITED

of

the

STATES.

CH.

attached
privileges

to

8.

my

public character."

Finally he sent to
correspondence,which
every

Federalist

had

colleaguescopies of
afterward

soon

Annual

Message,

the

note

reception
the

acknowledged by

been

never

the

this

printed in

was

together with

newspaper,

the
criticising
which

his

of

Secretary

of State.
far

Thus
but

Madison

merely called
insult.

some

share

knew

the

method

of

character

irritate and
the

upon

Perhaps

of

to do

examined

into the

last decided

his

that

head

own

in the
one

scuffle,
erable
intol-

more

in

Yrujo's apparent madness

might be detected ; for he
his willingness
to
Madison,
"

his reluctance

Spaniard remained

Government

credit

gained no

at

to strike.

At

Washington

its worst.

The

and

Cabinet

all events,

defied the

consulted,

law,inquiredfor precedents,and
the

Government

could

not

at

expel

him.

Merry took Yrujo'spart,and Turreau had much

to do with moderating the President's measures
and
with
checking interference from Congress.1 The
Government
in all its branches
was
overawed, and
the senators
alarmed.
The
even
were
marquis's
letters last publishedseem
to have
frightenedmany
that
of them
so
probably nothing will be done." 2
"

So wrote

himself

to

remained
1
2

member

of the

strengthenthe
a
fortnightor

Diary of
Diary of

J.

Q.

J.

Q. Adams

Adams

Senate

who

alone

President's

hands.

more

at

exerted

Yrujo
Washington, and

(Feb. 15, 1806), i. 410.

(Feb. 20, 1806), i. 414.

MADISON'S

189

ENEMIES.

his leisure to

at
carrying his point returned
which
'hiladelphia.The only measure
that of refusingto
red to take was

mnication
jven

with

this defence

ground of
Among

him
was

to

or

turned

receive

Madison
hold

his

any

vencom-

letters;but

by Yrujo into

vantage-

attack.
ad venturers, then

floatingabout the
de Miranda, a native
Francesco
of
world
one
was
Caraccas, who for twenty years had been possessed
his native province,
by a passion for revolutionizing
and for becoming the Washington of SpanishAmerica.
Failing to obtain in England the aid he needed, he
York
in November, 1805, with excellent
to New
came
Miranda
had a high reputaletters of introduction.
tion
and enthusiastic ; above all,
he
plausible
; he was
was
supposed to represent a strong patriotparty in
War
with
imminent
Spain was
Spanish America.
;
the President's Annual
clare
Message seemed almost to deYork
Miranda
In New
its existence.
instantly
became
attracted about him every ruined
a hero,and
the rest a number
in society,
adventurer
of
among
Burr
himself was
Aaron
Burr's friends.
and
jealous,
spoke with contempt of him ; but Burr's chief ally
Dayton,the late Federalist senator from New Jersey,
was

other

in Miranda's

confidence.

the marshal, Burr's

Steuben

Smith, surveyor

Federalists
swarm

American

devoted

still left in

of smaller

men,

either
patriot,

So

was

follower ;

of the

so

These,

clustered

round

William

was

of the few

port,one

office.

to

Swartwout

John

as

well

the

helphis plansor

as

Spanish

to further

190

their
"

OF

HISTORY

By Smith's

own.

Leander," owned

arms

by

; with

Captain Lewis
bought

THE

and

STATES.

UNITED

Ogden

one

hired

Miranda

advice

and

CH.

the

commanded

active aid Miranda

Smith's

enlisted

and
supplies,

8.

ship
by

next

men.

Washington. Arriving
in the first days of the
there
session,before the
and its sudden
change of policy
pacificsecret message
toward
known, he called upon the
publicly
Spain were
11 he was
received by
Secretaryof State. December
invited to
the secretary at the Department ; then
dine ; then he put off his departure in order to dine
at the White
with the President
at a time
House,
he was
when
veyor
engaged, in conjunctionwith the surof the port of New
York, in fittingout a
warlike
expedition againstSpanish territory.What
him
and
became
Madison
matter
passed between
that
of dispute. The
secretary afterward admitted
told of his negotiations
with the British
Miranda
of his hopes to
secret
no
government, and made
had replied
Madison
revolutionize Colombia; to which
Meanwhile

Miranda

to

went

"

that
aid

the
or

government
countenance

determined

the

law.

to

of the United
any

secret

interfere in

Miranda's

case

States

could

and
enterprise,

of any

not
was

infraction

of

of the

versation
consecretary's
to Smith, from
was
very different ; he wrote
Washington, letters representingMadison to be fully
of the expedition then fittingout, and to be
aware
willingthat Smith should join it. He made a parade

account

of social relations with

and

on

returning to New

the

President

York

was

and

open

secretary,
in his allu-

MADISON'S

sions

complicity of Government.
were
false,and those of

the

to

his statements

worthy

alone

of belief ; but

less

the

not

was

191

ENEMIES.

Madison

were

Secretary of State

the

opinion of

in the

compromised

Doubtless

his

enemies.

about

later the

month

he wrote

letter to Madison

departure,and taking a
leave, as though he were
"

"

He

President.

the

his intended

of formal

the

official

and

emissary of

confidential

had

ready to sail,

was

announcing

sort

when

; and

"

Leander

"

York

to New

quicklyreturned

Miranda

that

add

to

assurance

which
he had communicated
important matters"
will remain, I doubt not, in the deepest secret until

the

the

final result of this delicate

here

that

on

to

hope

the

discretion."

and

party of filibusters

Secretaryof

State

the

for

Madison, Miranda
The

originalstill

"

sailed with

Spanish main,
to

the

the

and

that

consciousness

betrayed. Fortunately

and
had

had

but
letter,

Leander

"

the

deceived

had

been

for

awoke

he

of this

acted

exactitude

with

observed

days afterward

Ten

I have

conformingmyself in everysupposition,
thing
I
intentions of the Government, which
seized and

I have

affair.

not

merely

him

left behind

told his friends

letter

itself remained

exists

among

unseen;

the Archives

copy

its purport.
but

of the

the

State

Department,bearing an explanatorynote in Madison's

cations
handwriting,that Miranda's "important" communirelated to
what
passed with the British gov"

Miranda

to

Madison, Jan. 22, 1806; Madison

MSS.

192

HISTORY

that

eminent,"

and

Nw

to the

York

what

not

was

THE

OF

in

STATES.

UNITED

saying he

President's

CH.

conformed

had

Miranda
intentions,

8.

in
said

true.

Madison, after

Then
Miranda

at

receiving and entertaining

cial
Washington while a high government offi-

openly enlistingtroops for

was

ordered

Spanish

the

refused

city,and

to

minister

receive

the

to

him

at New

leave

the

minister's

York,
Federal

cations
communi-

had
He
driven
subject whatever.
from Louisiana,and at the
Casa Calvo and Morales
time allowed a notorious Spanish rebel to organsame
ize
in New
York
a warlike
expeditionagainstSpanish
territory.
could hardly suppose that Yrujo would
Madison
fail
him pay the uttermost
to make
penaltyfor a mistake
so
glaring. Never before had the Spaniard enjoyed
such
an
opportunity. After defyingthe secretary at
where
Washington, Yrujo returned to Philadelphia,
the
he arrived
on
evening of February 4. As he
stepped from his carriage letters were
put into his
Three
hand.
of these letters were
from the Spanish
consul at New
York, and contained
only the notice
on

any

"Leander"

that

the

this

news

with

information

reasons

events

cases
1

was,

of his
unknown

about

was

it did

not

to

compare

furnished
own
even

sail.1 Serious
in

as

importance

by Jonathan Dayton.
Dayton kept Yrujo informed
to Merry and
Turreau, and

For

of
suspected
un-

In some
by the President or his Cabinet.
he probablytried to work on Yrujo'scredulity.

Yrujo

to

Feb. 12, 1806;

Cevallos,

MSS.

Spanish Archives.

MADISON'S

Secretaryof State," accordingto Dayton's story,

The

Miranda

,,ith whom

had

suspectingthe originof
with

him

to say

as

would
this

reserve

; but

that

he did not

would

or

could

States

but

chose

to

Miranda

as

its eyes

idea

determine

upon

to

prove

be

American

their funds

same

in

for

diversion

in

the

the

United

undertaking,

Government

to

the

would

Miranda

shut

took
the

compromise

the

secretary coincided

case

the

United

States

to

the

views

in

should

Spain, this undertaking

favorable

his

ernment.
Gov-

time

with

war

not

as

Miranda

offer

to

private citizens

way

States

would
of

the

government."
had

This

that

the United

conduct, provided that

the

Miranda's

if

far

so

war

suggested, the

such

At

whether

himself

against Spain, because

tainty
Congress ; that in this uncer-

on

advance

their

in

measures

that

had

to

know

first treated

at

opened

permit himself

not

asked

mission, had

last had

at

depend

conferences, doubtless

two

this

declare

not

must

step
he

aid

193

ENEMIES.

been

told

to

to

hint

Yrujo,and reportedby him

to his Government
before the visit to the capital.
In the excitement
caused by Madison's order to leave
Washington,Yrujo confided in General Turreau, and
went

far

so

as

to

Madison

himself

his

knowledge that Madison was

engaged in
hatching
plots" against Spain. Dayton's latest information
"

was

still

regard

Dayton
and

serious.

more

to

force

the

said

Miranda

it had
that

Besides

and
been

the

destination

agreed

Government

VOL.

communications
III.

"

13

from

him,

of

between
should

pretext of asking Yrujo'srecall in order

receive

details in

exact

and

Miranda,
Madison
use

to refuse

thus

the
to

prevent

194

HISTORY

"

UNITED

STATES.

claiming official interference

from

him

THE

OF

CH. 8.

against the

Leander."
did the idea of

effect
profound intrigue
the Spaniard'smind, than he turned
a lodgment in
of wounding the Secretaryof State.
it into a means
After writing letters the whole night,and sending off
to warn
the Spanish authorities
swift-sailing
pilot-boats
of Miranda's
tion
plans,the marquis turned his attenNo

sooner

the

to

He

secretary.

allowed

to

sent

that

Department, complaining
been

sail ; but

letter

the

the

to

"Leander"
that

knowing

had

the

Department
his letter,
decline to receive
would
he took
which
secured with certaintya hearing.
another measure
similar letter to Turreau, begging
He wrote
a

his interference.1
refuse.

could not

Turreau

No

February 7, than
Yrujo's letter,
had

and
he

which
"

reported to Yrujo
this

was

is rather

rare,

with

morning

suspicions and

my

prostration while
on

the

that

he

positiveexplanation
with

was

answered

an

effort

me

that

the

the

on

in

was

was

his
a

broke

President

the

Turreau

to

Turreau, Feb. 4, 1806; MSS.

to

Yrujo, Feb. 7, 1806;

MSS.

what

him

question.
at

It

length

alreadyanticipated

representationsby ordering measures

in
against the accomplices who remained
Yrujo

to him

and,

from

silence, and
had

"

of extraordinary

state

to

my

day:2

eyes,

in

partmen
De-

secretary,

imparted

demanding

proceedings

the

to

same

sought

He

them.

went

with

Madison.
I

yours.

I met

he

interview

an

did he receive

sooner

the

be

taken

country and

Spanish Archives.
Spanish Archives.

whether

judge

satisfied

was

writing.

in

occupied

am

I leave

return.

by

abruptly

somewhat

him

should

culpritswho

the

against

195

ENEMIES.

MADISOX'S

1806.

in

this

and

answer,

order

ted
quitin

him

address

to

to

you

so."

doing

ate
To concilimight well show disturbance.
the chief object
been
and Napoleon had
Turreau
For this
his policysince the precedingOctober.

Madison

of
he

endured

had

secretary ever
had

not

and

declaimed

was

involved

that

should

Madison

charges that involved

the
in

delayed

its fate in

ing
appeared, demand-

as

the

in his
if

which

Miranda

of

innocent

quarrelwith France
had
Spain,while Madison
from

it

reputation

himself

prove

published
of these charges to

proved the truth

and political
authority
every diplomatist

have

of

mind

had

allyand protector of
desk
the parting letter
would

negotiation

held

Turreau

success.

suddenly Turreau

; and

Florida

Madison's

until

can
Ameri-

other

no

Randolph

John

against it
in its

as

The

tolerated.

yet begun;

his hand

such

arrogance

Europe.
Before

many

press

from

days

to

be

indicted.

believed,sacrificed

when

save

both

caused

Indignant
Madison,

attacks

to

friends
which

was

they

of

been

and

they
Ogden

presentedby
the session,

and

exhausted
had

and

Smith

to

of Madison's

Smith

being, as

at

Congress,which were
Quincy,April 21, the last day
the House
was
alreadyirritable

memorials

Josiah

to

and

Smith

removed

President

The

at work.

alist
set the Feder-

passed,Yrujo

his officeof surveyor,

Ogden
sent

had

the

by
for

ance
endur-

the
so

atious
vex-

many

196

HISTORY

months
to

without

them.

John

invited

already

furious

the

in

voted

by

left

by remaining

but
at

he
his

Carlos

held

no

own

request

IY.

at

the

was

little
and

himself
sible
respon-

the

The

came.

aside,

dignity

for

minister

was

the

to

gave

the

retary's
sec-

defied
in

his

America

with

Government,

then

sent

to

of

Eugene

Court

The

return

he

year

relations

more

to

equivalent

Spanish

as

base

hustled

were

victory,

another

For

is

myself

they

what

fullest

the

into

pleases."

whom

with

it

made

majority

his

won

State

has

gentleman

secretary

power

broke

say

hold

so

from

the

assault.
enemy

the

adjourned

of

Secretary

"

or

8.

Virginia, who

Randolph,

immense

Yrujo

it ; but

of

gentleman

men

against

Congress

with

CH.

reply

to

Jackson

saying

an

the

to

charges
and

in

place

any

memorials

the

and

organ

House

which

of

G.

against Quincy.

tirade

calumny

capacity

duel

STATES.

UNITED

THE

exposed

prevent

had

OF

and

represent

Don

Beauharnais

at

Milan.
Thus

the

of the

first session

the

April 21, 1806, leaving

the
a

field, but

could

government

momentum
to

strong

of
Jefferson

inert
and

in

his

Congress

Administration

had
successor.

its

closed,

How

authority by

become

of

master

alone.

numbers

maintain
mass

Ninth

serious

long
mere

tion
ques-

IX.

CHAPTER

Congress, after their wrangles,

at last,April 22, wandered
homeward, and John
back
Randolph's long, lean figure disappeared on horseof

the members

As

beyond

Secretaryof

State

before

historyof

in the

outrages
The

drew

at

the

such

and

friend

never

dent
Presi-

publicinsults

and

alike.

enemy

other

each

quarrelled with

had

had

Government

the

and

sigh of relief;for

the

of

hands

Federalists

endure

obligedto

been

the President

Potomac, both

the

as

quarrelling,but in
bitterlyas the Republicans were
Under
Congress at least they had held their peace.
sulted
neither
their sway
England inSpain, France, nor
guine
their Presidents with impunity. Santhem
or
Jefferson

as

during two

see

longer
the

been

Congress

contempt

would
no

in

could

he

he had

sessions

disrespectboth
should the

was,

for his

not

treated

and

feel that

but
with

abroad

growing

; and

that

authorityincrease,his

tirement
re-

melancholy proof that the world

So clearlydid he
his services.

offer

valued

danger that, as

has

been

shown,

he

would

of his
gladlyhave changed the external appearance
ing
policy. February 18, 1806, he wrote his letter declarthat Europe must
be taught
himself
convinced

198

HISTORY

to

know

to

be

OF

her

THE

would

become

all that

he

that

dared

British

far

people,so
tremblinglest
"

The

fear

and

his

thought

such

should
of

think

proper

such

in

demonstration

station
their

on

putting a stop

at

to

to the

of

be

the
have

British

adopted
squadron

to be

noticed,

the

salutary

have

to all the hostile

once

that

of their determination

sufficiently
great
part would

say

Message,
might

measures

reinforcement

consequence

any

war

crisis is manifestly

venture

may

can
Ameri-

force,were

declare

to make

resist whatever

the

use

President's

measure

effect of

Britain

to

the

American

meaning

in

here, by sending
the

from

that

and

government

Majesty's government,

to

on

alarming the fears of

at Washington wrote

apprehension

insinuated

menace

toward

minister

Great

great

so

should

to do

the American

both

States

The
tempt
atplunder of all nations.
made
his position
Europe her error
later,after the President had done

month

the

Europe,

corrected,the United

the

teach

9.

"

this idea could be

worse.

CH.

supposing his Government

1
and
that
Quaker principles
;

unless

to

STATES.

in

error

entirelyin

"

UNITED

ings
proceed-

of this Government."

In

view

of

speeches like

their

shield,and Randolph, with

President's

the

on

which

Merry

few

A
1
2

weeks

had

those

policy,such
reached

afterward

could
the

of

Gregg, Crowninrunning commentary

a

conclusion

not

be

British

called

minister

as

that

unjust.
found

See

p. 111.
Merry to Lord

Archives.

Mulgrave,

March

19,

1806

MSS.

British

199

AFFAIRS.

DOMESTIC

1806.

test.
April 25, 1806, soon
theory put to a severe
occurred
after the adjournment of Congress,an event
calculated
to
seemed
which
bring the two nations
The
collision.
into
Cambrian,"
Leander," the

his

"

"

"

the

and

in

were

Driver,"blockading the port of New York,

the bows
of
the habit of firingshot across
vessels in order

merchant

British

the

to

to

account,

bring

them

to.

which

was

of

"

ing
Accordcourse

as

possible, a shot fired by

Leander
to stop a
the
passing vessel happened
by an unlucky chance to be in line with a coasting
sloopfar beyond, and killed one John Pierce,brother
to the city
of the coaster's captain. Making his way
with
the mangled body of his brother,the captain

favorable

to

the

of citizens

meeting
;

leaders

to excitement

York

New

roused

the

but
to

for
murders

was

held

over

at

the

conduct

it.

Rufus
enemies

series of resolutions

outrage.

the

house
Coffee-

Tontine

the

Republicans allowed

well-known

other

reporteda

Federalist

King, Oliver Wolcott,

of President

Jefferson

ment
censuring the Govern-

permitting the seizures,impressments, and

of the blockade,
which
were
a
consequence

recommending

that

all intercourse

squadron should
John

"

"

"

and

frigateas

Pierce

should

be

be

with

stopped,and

buried

with

the

ading
block-

advisingthat

publicfuneral.

people took the law into their own

hands, interceptingsuppliesfor the squadron, and
compelling the few British officers on shore to hide
turned into a popular
Pierce's funeral was
themselves.
demonstration.
Captain Whitby of the " Leander
Meanwhile

the

"

200

HISTORY

OF

despatched

mayor

action

which

as

should

him

truth

the

of

could

be

not

President

to their

and

he

might

Jefferson

Fox,

most

who

part

tune,
misfor-

new

to

charge

aggressions.
the

their

sham.

In

chief opponents

ing
patrioticfeel-

Yet

the

matter

and

forever

to

be found

within

the

three

British

ates
frig-

and

commanders,

orderingall officers
ever
Captain Whitby wherAmerican

redressing his

own

jurisdiction.
placed
wrongs

disadvantagein askingfor redress from

might naturallyreply that if the United

at

States government

law,it could
Britain

this

accordingly,May 3, the
proclamationclosingthe ports and

of

manner

further

were

; and

States to arrest

of the United

This

England

of America

harbors

rest such

enemies

British

merchants

ignored;

issued

at

Federalist

his

Federalist

for the

was

might

for
responsibility

with

9.

grand jury; and the

davits,
Washington the necessary affi-

greatlyannoyed

allowed

war

CH.

fit.

seem

was

which
upon

to

STATES.

the

by

the President

on

Jefferson

UNITED

for murder

indicted

was

THE

chose

not

expect

to offer further
was

for

the

to

make

its

appealto

the Government

satisfaction ; but
moment

more

cipal
muni-

of Great

popular

citement
ex-

important than

diplomaticforms.
Jacob
Crowninshield,returning from Washington
after the adjournment of Congress,
to Massachusetts
happened to be in New York at the time of Pierce's
the subject.
on
funeral,and wrote to the President
The
his letter at some
President,May 13, answered
length.

which

Although the scenes

overdone
said,1" were
"

British

of the

act

territorial
a

force

of

the

Merry
the

kind

that

James's

This
of

put
u

That

His

navy.

fiftynew

New

Orleans

But

the

we

the

thousand
in

that

it

the
1

do

to

make

at

St.

future."

the

himself

in favor

line,instead

the

not

to

lost

be

have

of

sight of.

numbers, wealth,

proportionate rightto

frontier,for

western

whom

Bringing forward

men.

and

form, placing it on

the
the

first

Jefferson to

up

three

therefore,
of comparative

will
on

come

the

into
ject
sub-

presented."

Jefferson

arguments

be defended

measure,

ground

to

exposure

keep

we

right,our nation, which is a just one,

of some
it,notwithstanding the repugnance
That

to

best

was

forbearance

our

ships of

frigates,is

frontier,from

moderate

when

of

meeting

squadron properly composed to

blockading our ports is indispensable. The

should

potent enemies, has

with

Mr.

gunboats would, he thought,

York in safety:

building some

indifferent

prevent the
Atlantic

New

and

dental,
entirelyaccinot
to
they were

avowed

Jefferson

gestion.
sug-

was

provisions for

better

all.

not

was

of

was

present

proclamation, and

the

outrage and

the

obtain

to

most

our

in

seen

of

use

proper

York

New

our

from

the

that

of

one

to

he

the

done

received

we

assurances

at

be

unable

concluded, therefore,that

We

you have

what

York,

violation

should

thus

quarters, and

different

from
remain.

New

at

shore,"

on

frigateswas

three

were

vessels

British

three

we

solemn

most

atrocious

an

sending

While

was

question what

The

The

difficult one.

acted

were

views, yet
electioneering

with

officer

rights.

201

AFFAIRS.

DOMESTIC

1806.

should

of the

repeat the opinionsand echo

Federalist

Crowninshield, May 13,

Presidents
1806

was

; Jefierson

an

MSS.

202

HISTORY

OF

experienceworth

THE

UNITED

noting; but

there

as

CH.

9.

of statesmanship,

matter

fear that

to

reason

was

STATES.

the

change

theoryof peaceable coercion had

been made
the base of Jefferson's foreignpolicy
; and
it his fortunes
stand
fall.
must
or
Merry,
upon
though willingto quiet President Jefferson's fears so
far as concerned
the accident of Pierce's death,was
little affected by the outcry of New
York, for he saw
that the United States government could not change
its pacific
strance
system. He wrote to Fox an urgent remonl
demands
:
againstconcession to American
came

"

with

too late.

The

consider

it my

conviction

of

which

that

be

his

should
that

from

the

with

the

of American
from

under

Merry

such

Power,

any

consider

hence

the

the

to C. J.

tensions
prebe

unjust, and

as

resistance

munity,
com-

taxes, which

with

war

the

of

salutaryeffect
respect which

would

commanding

they have

cently
re-

Britain."

England had seized

shipping and commerce

citizens had

American

alreadylying beneath
1

class of

last year

portion of American

the

prominent passion

internal
a

them,

that

Great

lost toward

from

resist

this Government

the

of

of the

States,from

every

under

event

asserted

are

attended

Within

the

from

statement

is evident

Majesty's government

disposed to

therefore

only be

in

imposed

what

United

prevails among

their intolerance

and

this

accompany

part, from

my

Government,

of the

avarice

must

on

to

partiesthroughout the

division of
weakness

duty

been

flag,some

the waters

Fox, May 4,

1806

off

; MSS.

taken

large
dreds
; hun-

by force

of whom

were

Cape Trafalgar;
British Archives.

DOMESTIC

1806.

port of

the

York

New

203

AFFAIRS.

had

blockaded

been

by

British

squadron, which drew its suppliesfrom the city,and

lay habituallywithin its waters, except when
engaged
in stopping and
searching vessels beyond the threemile

at last

line ; and
American

within

In return

threatened

silks from

and

"

to

buy

England

; and

and

"

in the

still complain,that

whisper

of

fear

and

showed

should

protest,and
the

in

government

had

market.

he

wish

he

that

had

of observation.

was

should
this

even

American

trembling with

as

toward

England,

than

better

memory

He

Merry

talk of the

having lost respect

as

brian
Cam-

"

habit of procuring

to stifle

breath

fresh

the

stopped

That

should

same

fine woollens

more

in the

were

York

New

States government

the officers of the

"

Leander

no

killed

was

ading
of the block-

guns

the United

vegetableswhich

and

meat

citizen

jurisdiction
by the

squadron.
had

American

an

stillbrooding

his powers

over

son's
Jeffer-

pele-meleand his heelless slippers.

committed
For that offence,
in the heyday of diplomatic
atoned.
As
triumph,the President had bitterly
Jefferson

twisted

becoming
was

more

and

twined

tortuous, he found

of

in

forgottenor ignored by

him

than
if it

commonly
annoyed

still more

to

him
be

the

history,and
people;

sensitive
to

be

laughed

to

but

daily

course

publicdisaster

by social trials ; on all sides

his diplomatic failures. This

left little trace

and

that

followed

reaction

more

along

was

he
kind

felt the
of

commonly

Jefferson

social

noyance
an-

was

influences,

slandered,it annoyed
at.

He

-could

not

re-

204

HISTORY

the

and
taliate,

his

above

OF

THE

UNITED

he

more

vexations,the

STATES.

exerted

he

more

CH.

himself

to

9.

appear

exposed himself

to

ridicule.
General

Turreau, with

grim amusement,

reported

what
he saw
heard.
and
At one
moment
faithfully
Jefferson,tryingto discover some
plan for checking
broached
British authority,
to the minister
of Napoleon
for uniting all Christian Powers
in a
a scheme
novel alliance against each other's aggressions.

Excellency will

Your

"

sardonic

the

it is not

would

Turreau

war

is too

as

it is from

the

far removed

violate

all the

of

neutral

the

which

Everything
his

tends

to

philanthropicprinciples,
and

country

guaranty of neutrals

find all

then

would

Talleyrand,1" that
Mr. Jefferson
which
neutrality

from

The

wrote

saturnine

interests of his

the

inert force

should

armed

understand,"

course

established.

see

opinion.
on

to the

system of

like to

of

Powers

nant
predomi-

would

repose

against the
and

compact,

foreign ports

the

shut

whose

to

that

one

vessels

them."

incongruityof inviting
Napoleon Bonaparte not onlyto protect neutral rights,
to joinwith
but to do so by peacefulmethods, and
Turreau

Great
should

Britain

of the

Turreau

to

scheme

Had

by

the

Christian

in order

of

confederation

objectthe

its main

expense

its rashness.

MSS.

commerce,

the

in

for

have

American

humor

amused

was

to

save

protection of
President

protectingit himself
was

not

Jefferson

to

be

foreseen

Jan. 15, 1806

Talleyrand,

which

; Archives

the

; but

compared
the

ferson
Jef-

with

future,he
des Aff.

"tr.}

suggesting ideas

from

abstained

have

would

205

AFFAIRS.

DOMESTIC

1806.

to

despot of Napoleon's genius.

indeed

and

at heart

entertained

Turreau

could

one

no

likingfor Jefferson

within

come

the President's

kindlyinfluence without admittingits charm.

is something voluptuous in meaning well."
was

the

something voluptuousin Jefferson's

if the qualityincreased
well ; and
New
England Puritans, who saw in

the

There
There

of

way

it

"

ing
mean-

of

anger

only hypocrisy,

Randolph nearly to frenzy,

it softened the hearts of bystanders like Turreau, who
the President
toward
for their weakness
atoned
by
contempt for his favorite the Secretary of State.
wrote
to Talleyrand:
May 10 Turreau
"

John

if it drove

or

of Mr.

infatuation

This

man,

whose

more

and

more

party, will

interests

of

his

sacrifice them,
accord

him

the result

at

or

his

of

least

which
less of

opinion Mr.
make
that

to

which

of

Jefferson

be

is

the
as

uncommon

seems

well

the

true

sometimes

them, when

to

they

is not
a

do

with

kindly

But
blindlyfollows.
the first of the qualities

he

lacks

; he

audacitywhich
may

know

but only of
reflection,

matured

statesman

eminent, whatever

offend

of

Jefferson

popularity,this

extreme

sentiment, the impulse

if he

; and

leaders

who
Mr

day

every

phy,
successfullyphilosoknows

arts ; he

the

country

with

not

in my

commonplace

qualitiesan

cultivates

; he

instruction

sciences,and

the

government.

joins to estimable

privateman
of

surprisethose

not

actual chief of the Federal

degree

for

politicalopinions are becoming

an
object of suspicion to the

the dominant

Jefferson

has

indispensable in

the form

and

little energy,
a

still

place so

of government.

The

206

not

know

even

ten

grown

worried

himself

that

further

is the

drawing

off of

diplomatic

the

French

much

made

outrages
have

affected

Neither

the

yet

second

yet Mr.
the

ments
move-

ill,and

has

reached

the

What

term.

positiondisagreeable
exception

visit

the

President.

sensible

that

the

in open

even

he

to

been

has

of

even

the

Congress

in

with

himself

his

more

information
it."

by

does

receives.

with

who,

longer

no

receives

certain

he

part of his friends, and

him

renders
he

to render

corps,

minister,

isolation

and

and

that he has

Not

contributed

war

so

has

he

older.

years

wished

point of repenting having begun

has

balance,

9.

was

one

no

Congress

of

his

CH.

quite stormy, it was

easy
everythingwould end in propositions of

has

Jefferson

STATES.

disguisethe impression he

to

because

agreement,

lose

last session

that

foresee

to

how

the

Although

him

makes

slightestevent

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

the

of

This

reiterated
session.

extremely

these

unlucky accident
of Pierce's death,following
so long a series of political
misfortunes,could prevent the skies from clearing
with
the coining spring. If the
Southern
cans
Republifor a time
seemed, as General Smith said, to
be fallingaway
dailyfrom the Administration,the
could
the
President
still congratulatehimself
on
steadiness of the Northern
democrats, who asked for
better fortune

no

nor

annoyances

than

the

to be rid forever

tyranny. -On the whole, Jefferson

pleasedwith
care

was

Turreau

MSS.
"tr.,

the

to
to

find

well

was

majority. His
parliamentaryleader who

behavior
a

dolph's
Ran-

of John

of his

Talleyrand,May

10,

1806

Archives

chief
could

des Aff.

DOMESTIC

1806.

take

Randolph's place;

leadership should
He
take

The

last

for

one

into

of

in

they

wished.

confide
much

as

It is

of

man

to

course,
ever

business
in

in

House,

as

say that

seen

and

the

support him

to

uneasy

new

have

things

truth

as

conduct

an

penetrated

taking

only a

disposed

indeed
members

phalanx

to

to

be

can

all eyes

you."

to

realized

great hope

beyond his

England should
should

had

brought

of 1806

also

elected for

England, which

control

chose

party

democratic

votes, while

was

Jefferson
in his

New

ples,
princi-

which

democrat

his

be

ginia
Vir-

April election
legislature
;
re-elected by

The
lieutenant-governor.
caused

to

democratic

In the

Strong

difficulties abroad, worked

people

the

into power.

Governor

few hundred

likelysoon
when
anticipations,

own

Massachusetts

Federalist

seemed

only accept

not

but

only a

the

were

only speaking

Jefferson's

the

who

want

setts.
Massachu-

Bidwell,urging him

as

even

"

soon

solid

as

can

are

as

of

hands

Congress was

those

together. They

they

of

; but

views

rallied

whom

look

session

time

the

they

and

position: l

this

Virginia hands,

the

Barnabas

willingthat

was

of

fall into
to

the vacant

"

act

wrote

he

and
out

pass

it should

though

207

AFFAIRS.

was

conduct

most

favor

ually
act-

of

serious

among

the

of

were
more
America, who
patrioticthan
their leaders,
and felt by instinct that whatever
takes
mis-

in
was
1

MSS,

policy their Government

the alternative to

Jefferson to

might commit,
anarchy.

Bidwell, July 5, 1806; Works,

v.

port
sup-

14; Jefferson

208

HISTORY

The
their

tedious

to find

Jefferson

the

During

it,filled
of

laws
when

these

seemed

two
to

members

for the

the

of

the

Miranda's

for

cording
ac-

and

press ;

lacking.

never

expedition

which

resulted

papers.

tion
Convic-

Ogden,
of the

columns

be

was

of

acts

vilified

or

of the

division

and

men

The

extolled

1806

Smith

many

readers.

defence

of

livelyamusement

most

were

and

summer

trial of

the

9.

continued

newspapers

the

partisan

for attack

material

from

the

The

their

to

Madison

and

CH.

and

interest.

furnish

to

and

and

personalabuse

could

STATES.

Pennsylvaniafought
which
had
no
meaningless battles,

national
in

UNITED

York

factions in New

longer a
they

THE

OF

violatingthe neutrality

President's

earnest

Administration

defence,Jefferson

wish

yet

naed
subpoe-

were

ordered

them

to

obey
dis-

allegingthat their attendance in

interfere with their performanceof official
court would
The
duties.
questionwhether this rule was
proper
afterward
in law
in practiceor correct
came
soon
received
elaborate
before the Supreme Court, and
and Ogden, the
of Smith
discussion ; but in the case
to obey the subpoena was
refusal of Madison
a political
the

summons,

necessity.Had

he

been

forced

into the witness-

produced Miranda's letter ; and in

the face of evidence so compromising to the superior
officers of government, no
jury would have convicted

box, he

must

have

subordinate.
Before the trial began, the President

from
and

his office of surveyor

after its close he

of the

removed

removed

port of New
Swartwout

Smith
York

from

the

DOMESTIC

1806.

post of marshal.
wout

by Jefferson

the

Smith

linton

in

of

which

to

whom

in
a

of

were

affirmingthat

Writ.

Holy

as

memorandum

letter,too, covering

Aristides,'and

true

punishing Swart-

second, summoned

was

His

Cabinet

marshal,

greater part of

the

for

reasons

written

"

Swartwout

"

The

given

were

209

AFFAIRS.

Determined

his

duel

with

panel

of

jurors

the
to

bitterest

eralists.
Fed-

friend

copy

fact

every

in

unanimously

it

was

that

he

be removed."
to Swartwout's

Thanks

jury and
Smith was
confidence,

in Miranda's
other

many
in

government

cases, the

to Madison's

share

acquitted. As in
prosecutionended

failure of

justice.
Spaniardseasilydefeated

The

drove

or

with

away

his

Miranda,

forces.

Events

such

rapiditythat this episode was

Yrujo did his utmost to keep it
Federalist newspapers
than
printed more
Madison
on
evidentlyfrom Yrujo's pen,
the

secretaryand

in the
prove

of

the indifference of his Government

Spaniardsshowed

States.

On

themselves

the Texan
in

tured
cap-

followed
gotten.
for-

soon

alive.
one

The

attack

which

his friends ; while

country only by way

of the United

and

noyed
an-

mained
Yrujo re-

bravado,
to the

to

will
good-

frontier the

increasingnumbers,
until a collision seemed
imminent.
Wilkinson,on his
force capable
side,could collect at Natchitoches
no
of holding the Red
River against a serious attack.
Whether
not more
Wilkinson
himself were
dangerous
than the Spaniardsto the government of the United
VOL.

III.

"

14

210

HISTORY

States

was

OF

THE

UNITED

questionwhich

STATES.

disturbed

CH.

9.

like John

men

than it seemed
to interest Jefferson.
Randolph more
as
Fortunately the Treasury was
strong as the
weak.
GalArmy and the Foreign Department were

latin made

mistakes

no

Administration

the

his

on

the firsthe had

shoulders,and

carried

had

defied

him, for Gallatin's influence

hated

Duane

attack.

; from

check,and seemed the chief support

McKean
in Pennsylvania; but Duane's
of Governor
malignitycould find no weak point in the Treasury.
Duane

held

The

in

reached

revenue

providing the

The

demands.

The

dollars

less than

$57,500,000;

Louisiana

stock

of

the

and

for

debt
this

1818.

of

least

at

could
the

the

current

included

sum

After

year

reduced

was

$11,250,000,which

year

the

beyond all
surplus of

national

ter
af-

and

appropriated for

balance

Treasury held

millions.

paid before

thousand

hundred

four

millions

two

purchase, left

Florida
four

$14,500,000 for 1806,

year

to

the

not

be

1808,

Gallatin

promised an annual surplus of five or six

to which
millions, ready for any purpose
Congress
choose

might
gave

up

the

to

apply

attempt

to

it.
attack

Even

the

the

Federalists

management

of

seemed
to wish
Treasury; and if they sometimes
for a foreignwar, it was
chieflybecause they felt that
could shake the authorityand success
of
only a war
Gallatin.
For
wrote
past,'1
Timothy
years
many
"
Pickeringin 1814,1 I have said, Let the ship run

the

"

'

Pickeringto

Cabot, p.

535.

Gouverneur

Morris, Oct. 21, 1814;

Lodge's

DOMESTIC

1806.

aground !

The
;

her

more

once

England, by breaking
effect Pickering'spurpose.

prospect.
of

The

American

death
a

caused

without
and

1756, the

the

the

sion
acces-

quieted fear.

sense

felt of

was

agricultureand

outrage

of

Pierce

followed

who

York

New

scythe.

and

power

Little

between

even

the

Pitt

to

York.

in New

stirring men

swung

of

resolved not
deliberately
of passion which
Pierce's

outburst

that

so

Fox,

people were

interest

common

of William

James

the

join in

to

Rule

impressment of seamen,
immediate
no
Pierce,there was

death

Charles

the

down

the

York,

slaughter of

the

The

spite of

in

war,

of New

blockade
and

present pilots

with

Only war
Treasury, could
such

the

competent navigators will get

her safelyinto
afloat,and conduct

':

Of

throw

then

port.'
the

will

shock

and

overboard

211

AFFAIRS.

passed

the

was

ping
ship-

plough

but

port,
sea-

half

of

ject
foreign in populationand interests,an objealousyto good citizens,who looked askance

manufactures

at

death

of

and

seaman

was

patrioticAmerican
and

ever.

wanted

glad to be told
things to Monroe.

The

merchants
more

While

and

Russia

Napoleon,only

had

was

Europe tossed

progress.
while

Fox

had

robbed, the

been
and

prosperous

of 1806

summer

Every
with
England,
sant
promised plea-

peace

that

accidental

of alarm.

matter

no

was

Although the
at largewere

The

middlemen.

one
on

of

ple
peothan

contented

quietand rapid

her

bed

of

pain,
against

built up the fourth coalition

to drench with blood the battle-fields

212
of

HISTORY

OF

Jena, Eylau,

moved

THE

and

steadilytoward

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

United

Friedland, the

9.

States

their separate

objects,
caring
In foreign
politicsexcept their own.
government, after threateningto break

little for any

affairs their

action and
through the bounds it had set to its own
to punish the offenders of its dignity,
ended
turning
by reto its old ground and by avowing, as in 1801,
that

war

not

was

matters

one

serious

no

of its weapons.

division

of

In

domestic

opinion existed.

The

American

people went to their dailytasks without

much
and had no
more
competitionor mental effort,
wish
to wrangle about
problems of the future than
to turn back on their path and face Old- World
issues.
went
to their work, every
Every day a million men
with
work
home
some
plished
accomevening they came
; but

the result

was

matter

for

rather

census

for

than

tion,
brought into cultivahistory. The acres
the
cattle bred, the houses
built,proved no
doubt
that human
beings, like ants and bees, could
indefinitely
multiplytheir numbers, and could lay up
stores

of food ; but these statistics offered

no

evidence

than
the ant and
being, any more
of a higher destiny,or was
conscious
even
bee, was
efficient animal.
mechanicallydevelopinginto a more
far as
As
politicsproved anything, the evidence
seemed
that the American
tended
to show
already
that

the

human

to become

The
dwindled
should

narrow

and

great issues of 1776

timid in his methods.

and

of

1787

had

disputeswhether robbery and violence

punished by refusingto buy millineryand

into
be

in his views

DOMESTIC

1806.

from

hardware

the

attempt
redeemed

to

and

time

long a
favored

five years

In

been

itself above

tone.

should

put

other

for

so

had

been

in these

even

cline
thought they felt a steady de-

What
to

politics
nothing

from

miseries

democracy

good fortune,and

conservatives

In

Old- World

far the

thus

constant

be

loin
pur-

great issues of democracy

still alive, but their very

subjectsfor the moment

politics.That a democracy could

of moral

seen.

to

be

The

maintain

by

cessful
unsuc-

these

triumph ; but

was

an

powerful nation

more

hand.

removed
field of

whether

purloin foreignterritoryshould

republicanism were

success

the

robbers, and

by bribing a

it at second

213

AFFAIRS.

would

happen

when

ciety
so-

violent test ?

some

that

proved
little

directions

could

progress

positiveresult

be

had

reached.

Far

in the wilderness

United

General

few men,

States

government,

of

knowledge.

Wilkinson

officer in

the

ordered

the

the
of

summer

Lieutenant

of the

pay

toilingfor

were

In

in the

Pike, a

vancemen
ad-

1805
young

first

infantry,to take a sergeant, a

corporal,and seventeen
privates,and ascertain the
true
of the Mississippi.For scientific pursources
poses
such
a
party of explorerscould do little of
permanent
value, but as a militaryreconnoissance
it might have uses.
Lieutenant
Pike worked
his way
ip the
ie

stream

reached
"ve

the

establish

from

point two

Falls of St.
a

winter

St. Louis.
hundred

Anthony,

station.

October
and
and

December

16, 1805,

miles
thirty-three
there

10

stopped to
he

started

214

HISTORY

again

with

sleds

with

part

UNITED

THE

OF

of his

until,Jan.

STATES.

and

men

8, 1806,

he

CH.

northward

went

reached

Sandy Lake, from which

Lake, where another British

Leech

authoritythan
both

the

visit

His

existed.
a

British

that they were

territory

States

of

voyage

rather

was

ment
establishof formal

exploration
; but

the Indian

and

act

an

under

the

British

he struggled

on
trading-station

to

9.

he

fied
noti-

occupants of

rule of the

the

United

After

accomplishingthis object
he began his return march
February 18, and reached
St. Louis April 30, 1806, having shown
such energy
and perseverance
in this winter journey as few men
could have surpassed.
General Wilkinson
was
so well pleasedwith the success
of the expeditionthat he immediately ordered
Pike

government.

upon

another.

This

Red

rivers

time

Arkansas

and

far

Spanish settlements

as

the

15, 1806,

with

about

the

same

Osage

towns

on

the

of New

explored as
Mexico.
July

number

of

September 1

Missouri

of the

be

to

were

before,Pike left St. Louis, and

the

the headwaters

River.

men

as

reached

Striking

he marched
through a country
prairie,
filled with jealousPawnee
Indians, till he reached
the Arkansas
River, and ascending its branches, left
to his visit by giving his
a
permanent monument
in Colorado.
to Pike's Peak
name
Turning toward
the southwest,he entangledhimself in the mountains
;
and ice,at last,
and
after suffering
terriblyin snow
Feb. 26, 1807, was
stopped by the Spanish authorities
to Chihuahua,and thence
at Santa Fe*?who
sent him
across

the

DOMESTIC

1806.

him

allowed

to

215

AFFAIRS.

through Texas

return

to

United

the

States.
Both

these

subordinate

expeditions were

larger explorationof

Lewis

Clark, which

organized,and

himself

Jefferson

and

the

to

in

dent
Presi-

which

he

deep interest. After passing the winter at the

Mandan
has been already told,Lewis with
as
village,

took

set

thirty-twomen
proved

be

to

danger ;

full of

the worst
and

; and

seen

river

and

boats

Missouri.

The

from

of the

those
the

journey

The

from

were

Sioux

murderous

when, August 11, Lewis reached

that

canoes

labor,but remarkably free from

bears.

navigation,and

to meet

in

perilsencountered

mountains

His

of the

headwaters

for the

April 7

out

found

divided

himself

at the

of

the waters

tlesnake
ratnot

were

the end
base

of

of the

Missouri

the

Columbia, his greatest anxiety was

Indians who occupied the line of passage.

troubles

from

rose

the

of
hostility,

saw

at last the

the

poverty, rather than

from

these tribes.

They suppliedhim with

horses and with such provisions
as
they had, and he
made
his way peacefully
down
the western
slopeuntil
he could again take canoes.
November
7 the explorers
reached
of the Columbia
the mouth
River, and
ocean

which

bounded

American

tion.
ambi-

forced to pass the winter in

they were
thievish and
extreme
flea-bitten
discomfort,among
Indians, until March
26, 1807, they could retrace
There

\their steps.
Creditable
energy

and

as

these

expeditionswere

they added
enterprise,

to

American

little to the

stock

216

HISTORY

UNITED

THE

OF

wealth.

Many

STATES.

CH.

9.

elapsebefore
of the Mississippicould
be
the vast region west
brought within reach of civilization. The crossing
of the continent was
a
great feat,but was
nothing
The
French
more.
explorershad performed feats
remarkable
almost
as
long before ; but,in 1805, the
still a wilderness.
Great
country they explored was
tic
gains to civilization could be made only on the Atlanthe protectionof civilized life. For
coast under
of science

many

or

to

years

doing

returned

of the

The

in the

expeditionsof

immediate

no

York

were

men

Lewis

what

headwaters

still centre

must

progress

city of New

the
in

Pike

and

must

States of the Union.

old thirteen

Lewis

come

years

could

not

profits
; but in
activelyengaged
do, bringing the
"

within

rivers

western

of

reach

and industry. While

Lewis slowly
privateenterprise
tunate
toiled up the Missouri
River, thinking himself for-

gained twenty miles

if he

Robert

stream, the engine which

from

of Watt

the works

superintend its

in

returned

With

use.

Fulton

Bolton

and

Fulton

and

made,

been

day against the

the

to

money

had

England
New

greatest steps

Fulton's

taken, and

Neither

of this rule.
did

newspapers
notice.
was

To

the

not

in progress

in

were

steamboat

had

York

to

of Chancellor

the hull
Livingstonhe began to construct
and adjustit to the engine.
steamboat
The

ordered

of his

often
was

private talk

an
nor

new

sciously
unconple
exam-

in the

much
coming experiment rouse
visionpublic,Fulton's idea, though ary,
his

new.

Indeed

Fulton

stood

in

immi-

being forestalled by rivals.

experimented with a stern-wheel

of

danger

jnt

liver Evans

the

on

217

AFFAIRS.

DOMESTIC

River, while

Delaware

Stevens

the

at

In 1804
steam-

time

same

experimenting with a screwNothing practicalhad as

propelleron the Hudson.
from these attempts. The publicseemed
to
yet come
which
did not
matters
as
concern
it,
regard them
C.

Tohn

few

the

and

proper

was

dollars

thousand

engine and

hull

who
capitalists,

from

worked

Fulton

had

with

far

So

with

little

the press

no

as

prosperous

or

the

or

public.

The

it

of

summer

1806,

ness,
seemed, betrayed uneasiwith

of

ticut
party. Except in ConnecMassachusetts, the Federalists,
as
an
ized
organ-

legitimatepurpose
and

body, could hardly be said to

Republicans,and Federalists were
by social

rather

moment

encouragement

connected
mysterious political
activity,

"

of mind, politics
still
activity

concerned

engrossed public attention.

quiet and

for

pay

be wrung
difficulty
derided
for their folly.
cessors
support than his prede-

better

enjoyed,but

as

to

could with
were

of interest from

show

needed

the

; but

division

exist.

divided

distinctions

was

not

the

Democrats,

than

for

the

by principle

less real.

Every

strength to the national instinct ; but

certaintythat the
every year brought also a nearer
whether
in New
England under
denationalizing
forces,
dolph,
Timothy Pickering,or in Virginia under John Ranyear

added

or

make

an

in Louisiana
effort

local interests and

to

under
break

fettered

some

the

adventurer, would
chain

that

privateambition.

hampered
Under

218

HISTORY

OF

the

Congress,

Boston

play

of

given

was

Orleans,

it

the

of
of

profligacy
when

action,

During

Burr

and

with

by

Aaron

the

of

the

conspiracy

strength

of

President

Burr's

panic,
his

The

his

1806

sudden

which

Pickering
Burr.

bring

autumn

roused

treated

try

to

the

tolerance

to

was

Timothy

less

the

time

press.

neered
ve-

come

the

of

test

democracy.
and

surprising
had

the

had

to

projects

conspiracy
and

and

true

sions
pas-

able
respect-

"

seditiousness

were

the

to

to

of

Virginia

from

rise

to

9.

majority

instinct

dangers

New

and

CH.

slave-owning

freer

the

but

of

the

and

postponed;

STATES.

anti-national

old

paralyzed,

UNITED

and

President

Virginia

was

THE

been

ments
move-

than

the

so

long

CHAPTER

ceased

Burr

WHEN

States,March

United

himself

that could be drawn

connections

might

In

his

plans to

Mulgrave

in

Creole

friends,and

projects"he
of the

every

have

he

had

of

had

friend

alreadymade
of conspiracy

element

list of his

The

not

Colonel
Lord

proof to

been

Williamson

Melville.

At

minister, Merry, wrote

support

of

deputies from
Derbigny

was

entertained.

Louisiana

the

startled Jefferson,if the President's

Pitt and

British

the

The

Burr's

London,

Vice-President

within his reach.

optimism

easy

be

4, 1805,

with

intimate

to

X.

Williamson's

New

Orleans

to

fears.
fided
con-

ington
Wash-

Lord

negotiation.
Burr's

were

certain
acquainted with
General
Wilkinson, governor
"

whose
Territory,
headquarters
at St. Louis, closely attached
almost
to Burr
were
from
that
childhood, stood ready for any scheme
ambition.
James
promised to gratify inordinate
Burr's
was
ture.
creaBrown, Secretaryof the Territory,
Judge Prevost, of the SuperiorCourt at New
Orleans,was Burr's stepson. Jonathan Dayton, whose
term
the same
ended
senator
as
day with Burr's vicepresidency,shared and perhaps suggested the "proits."
John
Smith, the senator from Ohio, was

220

Kentucky

their

Burr

made

he

UNITED

and

STATES.

York,

with

the

In South

10.

Adair

confidence.

The

littleband

"

idol,stood ready to follow

lead.

CH.

John

Dayton.

Wilkinson's

in

was

in New

Swartwouts

THE

of Burr

the influence

under

of

OF

HISTORY

him

"

who

ever
wher-

Carolina

Joseph Allston,
of Theodosia
the husband
Burr, might be induced
to aid his father-in-law ; and Allston was
supposed to
of
be the richest planterin the South, worth
a million
might

dollars in slaves and

plantations.The task of uniting

and at a given moment
these influences
raisingthe
of a new
standard
empire in the Mississippi
Valley
seemed to an intriguerof Burr's metal not only feasible,
but certain of

success.

partinginterview with Merry in March,

1805, when
they arranged terms to be asked of the
British government, Burr
and
went
to Philadelphia,
the mountains
his
in April crossed
to Pittsburg,on
Wilkinson
Orleans.
to have
to New
was
joined
way
had
him ; but finding that Wilkinson
been
delayed,
the Ohio, his
Burr
went
alone.
on
Floating down
ark lashed to that of Matthew
Lyon, he first stopped
After

few

the

hours

at

an

island

about

miles

two

below

BlenParkersburg,where an Irish gentleman named

he had
nerhassett
lived, and where
spent a sum,
in buildingsand improvefor that day considerable,
ments.
The
hassett

was

owner

at

absent

was

home,

and

; but

invited

Mrs.

Burr

Blennerto

dinner.

acquaintance thus begun proved useful to him.

Passing to Cincinnati,he became, May 11, 1805, a

The

guest

in the

house

of

Senator

Smith.

Dayton

was

BURR'S

Burr

later,after

Wilkinson

but

already there;

221

SCHEMES.

had

arrived

by

on

gone

few

land

days

Nashville.

to

Falls of

publiclytalked much of a canal around the

the Ohio River, to explain the community of

interest

which

Wilkinson

on

all.

you

We

received

he

was

one

at

filled with

Jackson

his

have

to

was

your

in

this I

merits,and
I will tell

and

Hamilton,
man

who

and

Burr

killed
for

drive

announced

of his life.

As

looked

Deposition of

Appendix,Ixviii.

No

the

the
that

the

one

world

Tennessee,

hospitality.

; but

excited

At

with

if his

port
sup-

had

killed

in favor

of the

Spaniards from
was

were

Burr.

sympathy

duellist who

this

Dinners

equalled Andrew

to Colonel

man

for

to contend

newspapers

felt

his

passionswere

should

seemed

life Jackson

had

his

in

enthusiastic

of devotion

enlisted

was

with

doings.

of his

duellist who

Nashville

drunk

were

in warmth

all times

treatingor serving him.1

given,toasts

Jackson

"

at the unknown

peep

the town

near

or

of best

the honor
were

Breckenridge's
; but

you

to visit me,

reached

Burr

Meanwhile

Every

have

must

understands

Prepare

you.

be

Kentucky
to

Burr,

privatelyhe wrote,

to

soon

with

me."

beyond
where

He

himself

; but

Burr

friend

my

accident.

by

reckons

from

senator

introduced
failed

Smith

Adair,

John

as

unite

to

Senator

Dayton, and
May 28, to
successor

seemed

to be

America

the mission

of the Tennessee
major-general
militia,
forward
to sharingthis exploit.
Matthew

Lyon;

Wilkinson's

Memoirs, ii.

222

HISTORY

After

spending

descended

and

in

of the

mouth

Massac,
Ohio

June

"

THE

OF

UNITED

week

or

joined General
militarypost on the
miles

with

an

with

The

"

and

elegantbarge,

suppliedhim
Daniel Clark,the
in

New

him

I refer you

and

which

Burr

Wilkinson
arrived

Two

looked

the

empire

in

Lieutenant

"

To

to New

river
to

St.

Orleans,

Louis, where

he

in

was

in the

forward

in the
; and

to

creet.
high spiritsand indisof his subordinate
officers,
Major Hunt

shared

confusion

son
Wilkin-

other."

say to any

"

he

Thus

secrets.

carry

told
Major Bruff, afterward
them, and Major Bruff's evidence

that

June."

"

can
prominent AmeriJune
nounced
9, 1805, it an-

and

Wilkinson

ten oars,

things improper to letter,

down

He

out

me

most

northward

2.

10th

would

for many

went

of the

shore

letter of introduction

Dated

bearer

turned

July

richest and

he will not

While

the

also with

the

north

Fort

at

his officers fitted

on

Orleans.

that

Wilkinson

able,faithful hands.

ten

equipped,I left Massac

waiting;

was

colors,and
sails,

"

and

to the

junctionwith the
remained
togetherat Maswrote
to his daughter,Mrs.

General

sergeant

10.

its

above

Mississippi.The two men

four days, and Burr
sac
:

boats

his ark

he

River,a few

Allston

Jackson's

where

Cumberland,

CH.

Nashville,Burr

at

more

of General

one

STATES.

he

Louisiana.
Pike's

left

of Burr

period of
States,as the

to

Eastern

that

ideas

how

intended

to

set

he
no

sounded

doubt

that

Dayton ;
anarchy and

and

result
up

mocracy
of de-

military

Already, June 24, he signed

instructions to explore the head-

BURR'S

1805.

of

waters

Arkansas

the

the secret, believed

the

opening

of

of Mexico.1
Wilkinson

Dayton
for

he

; that

he

severing the
reached

Claiborne

when

in

and

active
that

Mexican

Orleans

wholly wanting
never
States,was

of

of 1805

summer

of

Burr

and

aid in their scheme

they

in

their

turn

June

25, 1805,

by the

and

enemies

of

of the

Spaniards. cies
Conspiraactive and most
dangerous

most

secret; and

most

mines

conquest.

fortnight,entertained

commonly

to the

expression

or

confidence

; and

and

and

letter

the

them

New

Governor

Fe

spring

Union

were

the

gave

remained

Santa

to

recorded

was

Adair, certainlyin
this expeditionto be

objectof

projectof

his

embraced
Burr

road

during

River.

the

Every

that

showed

223

SCHEMES.

the

mark

of secrecy,

almost

this

conspiracyin the Northern

removed, by any public inquiry or
ing
Accordadmission, from its doings at New Orleans.
to the story afterward
told by Wilkinson
the
on
evidence
of Lieutenant
Spence, Burr on his arrival
in Louisiana
became
acquainted with the so-called
Mexican
three hundred
Association, a body of some
leagued together for the emancipation of
men,
from
Mexico
Spanish rule.2 Of this league Daniel
to

"

Clark

afterward

; but

if his

Adair

to

declared

that

he

was

not

ber
mem-

safetyas a merchant
required him to
sociatio
keep aloof,his sympathies were
wholly with the Asand under
After Burr's arrival,
his influ1

Wilkinson, Jan. 27, 1806; Wilkinson's

ii.Appendix, Ixxvii.
2

Wilkinson's

Memoirs, ii.283.

Memoirs,

224

HISTORY

OF

the

and

plan;

known

well

these

in New

that

Clark's

were

included

in

an

Were

"

where

written

has

Minor

[from

news

horrid

with

be bribed
to

this and

about

of

one

the

if well

from

to

his

let

me

separate from

he

"

and

"

he

way,

has

then

employers. Inquire
know

told.

the

his

expense,

knew

libertyof

him,

on

return

my

four

or

Kentucky,

Ohio, the four territories

of

the
in

will be in three

plunder

be

to

Burr, and

take

Ohio, with part of Georgia and

and

us

the

State

the

I should

retailed

Cruz], which

tale is

The

Mr.

something

to extract

also

against trusting a

with

blockhead's

Vera

it seemed

"

the

Burr

Mr.

of

at

himself

amused

him,

as

Perhaps, finding Minor

endeavoring

was

line to

him.

to

all into

"

of Natchez

of

ears

though he
self
bystander annoyed at findinghimimaginary conspiracyagainst the
was

intimate
sufficiently

direct

to

writing

of

Minor

"

so

their

Spanish government. In truth

written
as
a
warning to Burr
certain

the

bringing them

was

letter

innocent

an

became

reach

to

as

10.

part of the

projectssoon

excite

indiscretion

Burr's

made

CH.

til
suspicions,unlater complained to Wilkinson

months

two

danger.1

and

STATES.

was

Orleans

Spanish agents
Clark

UNITED

of disunion

ence, the scheme

Mexican

THE

the

on

months.
see,
Tennes-

sippi
Missis-

Carolina, are

Spanish

countries

to

west

the Union."

written by Clark, Sept.7, 1805, showed

letter,
notorious
at New
Burr's plans were
Orleans,

This

that
and
1

that
Daniel

his indiscretion
Clark

to

greatlyannoyed

Wilkinson, Sept. 7,

Memoirs, ii.Appendix, xxxiii.

1805

his friends.
;

Wilkinson's

BURR'S

Vo
e

"

Clark

Wilkinson, "you

will recollect,"wrote

You

write

Burr

the

on

of

replyhas
letter

Your

been

did, and

also

of your

extract

an

preserved:

received

and

to

Wilkinson,2

believe,through

came,

he wrote

November,"

of

6, 1806, "which
been

Brown,

desired

him."

transmit

Burr's

subject,which

brother-in-law, Dr.

his

jtter to

has

reminded

letter.1

rave

Jan.

afterward, Wilkinson

years

to

"

225

SCHEMES.

answered.

J.

Smith,

friend

Your

[Clark]

in
[Minor] named
I love the society of that person
his letter to you.
;
be guilty of the follyof conbut surely I could never
fiding
I wished
of his levityanything which
to one
not
such
to be repeated. Pray do not disturb yourselfwith
without

suspects

the

reason

person

nonsense."

Daniel

Clark

not

confided

anything

which

Nevertheless
than

to the

of the

residents
many

of New

absurd

Wilkinson

Wilkinson's
VOL.

III.

and

that

Burr
his

wild

be

plans had
knew

reports are

"

greater

for secrecy

have

must

talked

15

with

alreadycome

Louisiana.

of

Burr

levity
repeated."

far

motives

Spanish agents in
Orleans

to

abilities were
whose

sured,
as-

of his

one

not

that

the

Many

scheme,

"

circulated here,"

Clark, Oct. 12, 1807; Clark's Proofs,p.

Memoirs, ii. Appendix, Ixxxvi.

to

"

to

"wished

for
indiscretion,
ears

"

Minor, or

Burr

stronger,knew

extreme

"

to

therefore

were

untrue, but

was

Clark, whose
of Burr, and

those

were

Wilkinson

the tale

that

not

had

and

154.

226

HISTORY

wrote

Clark

His

friends.

schemes

was

the

to

avail

not,

or

of

any
As

secret.

Burr's

early as

before Daniel

month

General

to

it

10.

it.

no

Wilkinson,

alarmed

much

so

given

were

than

CH.

the}7shared

denounce

not

Aug. 4, 1805, more

sent his warning
minister

STATES.

ignorance couTcl

of

plea

UNITED

whether

and

they certainlydid
No

THE

OF

the

at

plot that he

the

Clark

British

ready
publicityal-

wrote

Lord

to

Mul-

letter,
panic-stricken
evidentlysupposing that
ruined by Burr's indiscretion : 1
scheme
was
a

grave
the

He

"

or

communications,

in their
person

in whom

confide

; for

the

the

bordering on
forming
that

Feb.

The

any

project

of

Atlantic

so

far

further

Miranda, who
1

Merry

Turreau

"tr.,
MSS.

to

had

might

It

said

to

that

States

the

of

purpose

as,

from

the

impossible."

hardly less

well informed.

to

his

departure,and
effectinga

reduce

begun

is,however, -possible

advanced

wrote

States

to

reason

now

the

some

secrecy

him

government,2
adding,"

separation

between

abreast

marches

Burr, though displeased at

one.

has

Mississippifor

was

Turreau

Miranda's

and

Western

be

minister

13, 1806,

mentioning
"

and

may

it,to render

French

The

Ohio

business

of

nature

they

journey

separate government.

the

his

indiscreet

betrayed by

public prints, where it is

be
called immediately from

is to

convention

that

considered
of

been

have

or

object

in the

noticed

be

they

either been

agents have

of his

some

with

the
this

by the arrival of
secondary rdle,has

first
to

Mulgrave,Aug. 4, 1805 ; MSS.

to Talleyrand,Feb.
13, 1806;

British Archives.
Archives

des

Aff.

BURR'S
for the

again

et off
I

does

Government

the

the

and

where

of

division

supposed

That

to

withdraw,
from

if not

yoke

the

of

dissimulate.

is

to

we

me

commonly

England

interests

both

and

itself,

appears

place, should

seems

of

France?

not

have

confederations,

at

England?"
from

concealed

the Creoles of New

"

the

that

views,

it to

than

ferences
con-

me

it finds

States

to

to

Burr's

which

remote

several

seems

event, which

have

should

Burr

allies

take

it to

of them,

one

this

would

assuming

better chance
least

in

less

reallycontrary

favor, be

And,

penetrate

confederated

the

perhaps

but

It

placed itself,force

it has

inevitable, and

to

minister.

not

had

having

difficult circumstances

that

This

after

South,

British

the

with

227

SCHEMES.

Orleans

"

his

pal
princi-

plans which

freelyelsewhere, was not to be

only about a fortnightat
imagined. Burr remained
returned
horseback
Orleans ; then
New
on
through
he became
Natchez
to
again the
Nashville,where
He passed the month
of
Jackson.
guest of Andrew
and
Kentucky ; then struck
August in Tennessee
the Indiana
into the wilderness
across
Territoryto
he

communicated

St. Louis

in

attemptingto
people

of the

Wilkinson

part

or

evidence
between

order

to

pass

week

more

Secretary Brown.
discouraged by the rebuffs

Wilkinson

Wilkinson

so

He

and

seduce

his

subordinate

territoryinto

afterward

parcel in

swore

Burr's

the

he had

found

scheme.

in

met

officers and

solemnly that
disunion

eral
Gen-

with

the

Although
he

had

project,his

no
own

proved that the subjecthad been discussed

them, and that his fears of failure had at

228

HISTORY

the

time

of

enthusiasm
Mr.

"

their
:

of

it would

words

or

STATES.

St. Louis

at

Western

the

moulder

said

I, my

that

to

country

Washington
friend, no

The

Western

They

ready

were

Wilkinson
that

reached

the

him

against

Burr

Burr

supposed

with

return

Congress, a
much
depend."2

to

"

Burr

hurried
who
1

had

boon

he

detained

for

surely/

mistaken.

more

the

mained
re-

government!

have

written
the

letter

the

at

Navy
never

certainlygave
Governor

which

on

to

Harrison,

the

Union

Sept.11, 1805;
and

arrived

the

"may

he

left it

East.

Two

Washington and
legation.His friend Dayton,
by a long illness in the West,

Evidence, Burr's

Wilkinson's
611.

Wilkinson's

but

to

Vincennes

British

the

been

1807-1808, p.
2

for

afterward
to

to

He

address.

St. Louis

reached

September 19,
months

have

which
suggested decline of
Territory,
the conspiracy; for it urged Harrison
the bearer
the Territorial delegate
as

of the Indiana

to

better

Secretary of

letter of introduction

sympathy

by

democracy.'"

claimed

letter to

its

to

and

Jefferson

afterward

profitedmore

ever

disaffected

time

.warning

to

this

had

was

people
To

Philadelphia;

person

the

revolt.

to

not

ernment,
gov-

natural

that

adding

effect ;

or

people

bigoted

are

10.

his

the

pieces,die

to

replying that if he had

journey in other respects, he
at

checked

imbecilityof

recollect

his

CH.

"

meeting

Burr, speaking of

"

the

UNITED

said

death,

THE

OF

Memoirs, ii. 303.

at

Trial; Annals

of

Congress,

his

made

irrived and

229

SCHEMES.

BURR'S

report

to

Merry only two

days

of Great

Brit-

ifore.

conspiracy counted

The

lin,which
Burr's
that

hopes

had

answer

no

blasted

were

aid

pivot of the scheme ; but

by learning from Merry

the

be

to

was

the

on

from

received

been

the

British

government in reply to the request for money

ships. Merry explained that an accident had
that

know

had

British

pened
hapto

reason

government

vanished.

had
"

disappointments

These

deepest

the

Western

through

as

with

in every
because

operations.

the
such

lengths by

Colonel
and

of

month

in the

the

that

him

to afford

his

March

had

He

Williamson,

expect

been

place without
himself
1

that

Merry

Archives.

to

him

gave

to

had

verbal

the

on

be

Mulgrave,

he

said,

were

; but

in

25, 1805;

an

to

commence

room

was

explained

Nov.

to

return

to go

from

to

hope

disposed

sensible

that

well

take

subject could

communication

enough might

to

and

into

received

some

He
.

even

plan

enter

friends

Majesty's government
.

tended
at-

had

of his

he

been

completely prepared

encouraged,

their assistance.

Lord

and

communications

which

the

Orleans,

he

next, in order

been

complete understanding

no

fact

induced

associates

his

with

than

execution

for the

therefore

had

he

engagement
them

quarter

New

as

Florida, had
in

everythingwas

for, that

looked

far

as

success

more

[Burr] said,1

journey through

of West

part

much

so

his

Louisiana

and

he

him,

gave

because

concern,

country

well

as

both

packet-boat,but
hope of aid from the

the

to

and

he

nattered

this way
MSS.

to

British

230

PIISTORY

give

OF

should

he
for

with

cruise
the

the

the

10th

of

or

April next,

itself

He

independent.
consist

to

number

of

and

Clark

Daniel

of two

and
frigates,

was

receive
of the

personal
be

to

necessary

should

latest

the

there

by

until the

information

from

him

country having declared

the

naval

ships of

three

rior
ulte-

any

recommended

continue

to

wished

or

it

10.

thorized
properly au-

Mississippi at

officer should

Mr.

from

of the

that

persons

he

which

war,

CH.

left till the

the

whom

purpose,

mouth

commanding

business, and

with

have

ships of

off the

STATES.

might safelybe

arrangements
interviews

UNITED

to the

commencement

sent

THE

force

the

in question

line,the

proportionablenumber

same

of smaller

vessels."

The

the

British minister

result of the

Burr

4 '

talked

Western

tour

to know

; but

to

mentioned

few

names.

Throughout

the

Western

country

influence

had

contribute

enterprise;
to

from

curious

vaguely,and, contrary

greatest property and

to

was

be

on

precisely
this subject

his usual

persons

engaged

of

tom,
cus-

the

themselves

the
of
the
largely toward
expense
tants
Orleans
he represented the inhabiNew
firmlyresolved upon separatingthemselves

very

at
so

their union

with

the

United

States, and

every

way

the revosure
lution
completelyprepared, that he was
there would
be accomplished without
a
drop of
in that country
force
blood
being shed, the American
to believe, enlist
(should it not, as he had good reason
with
strong to make
him) not being sufficiently
position
any opIt was
accordingly there that the revolution
of April or the beginning
at the end
would
commence,
should
of May, provided his Majesty's government
cou-

to be

sent

so

to

lend

their

assistance

toward

it,and

the

answer,

BURR'S

together with
in

arrived

pecuniary

the

time

aid which

him

enable

to

231

SCHEMES.

to

would

set

be

the

out

wanted,

beginning

"f March."

Pitt,besides

From

for

credit

said

Daniel

no

rk)lent

Clark

heart

of his

Kentucky

was

Mr.

from

ition of
send

stated

rightto

that

their

from

me

they

when

ig

been

had

"me

pointed
among

his

it to

Burr

Florida

out

Paris.

it

of

many

the

the

plan

of

also to

be

had

the

American
a

represen-

in

and

and

this

agitation

of

forming

with

having already

within

to

means

who

are

obtain

to France."

recourse

the

Britain, hav-

principal people
found

he

hope, however,

Great

having

taken

received

Louisiana

was

The

to

reason

I have

with

them,

to

impressed Merry
was

Andrew

have

under

that

connection

associates,they

ispension of

and

actuallyprepared

grievances, and

beneficial

)revailed

tour

complicity

at

reached

he

impatient

so

what

"

information

the
that

"

deputies with

more

his

say, without

barelyhinted

becoming completely independent,

much

In

Creoles.

to

inhabitants

government

)f

he had

the

quarters

the

Orleans.

that
Merry clearlyto understand
not in the Ohio Valley,but
plotwas
He
laid littleweight on
the action
Tennessee
him, the point of
; with

among

be true

other

found

or

Burr

jlieve to

New

gave

Orleans.

control

Barclay of Philadel-

results of the Western

He

pounds, to

Wilkinson, Smith, Adair,

He

it New

)f

of

part

Jackson.
le

than

wanted

thousand

ten

of

the

on

more

force,Burr

of John

exaggeration.

the

on

and

names

iport to Merry
te

naval

hundred

one

in the

given
)hia, and

the

idea
the

that
scope

West
of his

232

OF

HISTORY

The

"

scheme.

in East
he

from

aiding

the

conspiracy with

state

which

reasons

British government

the

pressed upon

the

among

force.

of
he

for

motives

as

naval

to him

information

acquired respectingthe

countries,"were

those

10.

ence
greatest influthe

Florida,and

CH.

made

been

of the

person

West

and

otherwise

had

STATES.

had

which

overture

Orleans

at New

UNITED

THE

England

with

Spain.
One more
argument was
pressed by Burr, for no
knew
New
to which
better than he the use
one
land
Engmight be put.
then

was

"He
"

at

observed

that

when

became

Louisiana

once

which

power

rapidityin

the

wishes, he

at

could

do

to Lord

dared

give it.

Western

the

States

Eastern

the Southern
is

risen up

now

will
; and

with

no

country
separate
that

much

so

such

thus

sion,
divi-

informidable."

once

have

may

and

happen

may

hemisphere will,by

western

rendered

Whatever

he

the

immediately from

immense

be

readilyconceive

what

"

independent,

themselves
the

war

been
more

Mulgrave

Merry's sympathies
than

with

Meanwhile

report
as

Burr
the

much
was

silence

Burr's

or

versation
con-

approval as
thrown
of

into

MulgraA*e.
that the Creoles in New
Burr's report showed
Orleans,
with Daniel Clark as their financial ally,
induced
were
the conspiracyonly because
lieved
to countenance
they bethat
it to be supportedby England. Without
support, Burr could not depend on Creole assistance.
Had
have waited ; and perhe been wise, he would
haps
he might in the end have
brought the British
extreme

embarrassment

by

'".
government

accept his

to

plunderAmerican
citizens,he

calculate

might

their

by

objectof

the
that

was

the

even

the

as

cordial

from

raise

then

he

talked

Dayton
of

to

comic

departments
turned
1, 1805, he re-

try

the

task

effort

the

began
money

which

to

dinary
extraor-

of

drawing
induced

experiment,resembling the

an

opera

rather

the

than

till

British

the

toils,and

his

into

like Blennerhassett

men

he

undertook

Burr

tion
recep-

the

Dec.

the

sources

it,his

provide by drafts on
driven
conspiratorswere

shifts.

not

notorious

so

to

The

placed

although

; and

was

at

About

usual.

new

hoped

treasury.

Tories

about

and

Philadelphia,where

to
to

journey

House

as

Burr

they could

Washington

newspapers

White

at

in

Western

his

British

American

; and

more

to

offers.

week

stayed a

kidnap

positionwhere

neglecthis

afford to
Burr

in

to

to do

seeing the

on

acts

own

and

prepared

be

If Pitt intended

terms.

commerce

must

233

SCHEMES.

BURR'S

seriousness

plot
of

historical drama.
Dec.

5,1805, as

Miranda

leavingNew

was

York

to

days after Burr had returned

interview with
to Philadelphiafrom his unsatisfactory
Merry, the Marquis of Casa Yrujo,as yet innocent of
himself upon
having
flattering
conspiracy,and even
ceived
restored friendlyrelations with the Government, reentrap Madison,

Jonathan

secret

three

visit at his house

Dayton, whom

as

the Federalist

in

senator

mysterious manner,

he had
from
gave

Philadelphiafrom
known
at Washington
in

New
him

Jersey. Dayton,
to understand

that

234

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

10.

Spanish government would do well to pay thirty

dollars for certain secrets ; and
or
forty thousand
findingthe marquis disposedto listen,
Dayton recited
the

curious

tale.

This

"

to

of

; and

them

three

only

moment

and

had

very

various

of

Western

navigation,and

this
the

British

his

Court.

their

found

this

emancipation,

the

of

greater
London

an

Yrujo

to

as

matters

it and

sent

and

which

for

Burr

Ohio,

to

has

commerce

States

Western

New

States

idea

to

London

that
; and

project, Colonel
ideas

new

officer who
;

has
MSS.

to

been

of

prepare

States

he

only for
evidently

expedition against

an

Dec. 5, 1805
Cevallos,

it to
in

and

all these

plan

his

the

In

an

English

price of

been

sound

is

with

new

recommended

to

This

the

plan

this

the
of

pendence
inde-

this

in

disposition,not

the

making

first

despatch

"

the

extension

receive

Colonel

Mexico.

sending

ister,
min-

advantages by means
she should
soon
as
recognize
the approval of
plan obtained

favorable

most

also

desire, but

associated

to

this revolution.

for

has

after

This

Kentucky,

minds

Burr

British

part of

Mississippi Territory,in

in the

kingdom

as

minister, who

Tennessee,

be

the

these

secure

Meanwhile

Orleans,

of

Colonel
the

"

preference in

to

republic.

new

end

one

only for taking the

not

States,
should

treaty to be made

am

effectingthe separation and

for

decisive

with

plan

republic; England

services

and

the

present
I

country.

last March

of

the

at

toward

conferences

Floridas

the

federative
her

the

that

end

proposed

Floridas, but also

that

the

secret

he

of

in this

persons

near

to whom

is known

"

I will tell you

last session

being

he,1

secret," said

occurred

the

to

us

having given
Burr

sent

Colonel
many

to

liamson,
Wil-

years

Spanish Archives.

in

country, and

this

month

six

or

received

he

return

first

The

English Cabinet,

the

by

whose

weeks.

235

SCHEMES.

BURR'S

1805.

expects within

project
and

fear

through

from

the

of

debates

delay ;

some

to

dismission

but

Mr.

office

for

particularly
the

was

he

causes

again

reason

well

known

has

suffered

his

turned

person

had

Parliament, this plan

Pitt has

well

very

more

by Mr. Dundas, or Lord Melville, who

charged with this correspondence ; but as
to

was

attention

it."

On

the

strength of

proposed
into

paying

idea

so

except

Yrujo
terrify

to

the

could

have

Carlos

from

An

mind

no

he

it was,

as

IV.

expedition.

sprung

but, fantastic

ously
seri-

Dayton

Don

and

of Burr's

expenses

fantastic
Burr's

information

this

pursued

it

although by doing so he betrayed to

obstinately,
veigle
he was
Spain the followers whom
strivingto ininto an imaginary assault on
Spanish empire.
Dayton asserted that the revolution would begin on
of the British squadron off the coast
the appearance
of West Florida in February or March, 1806 ; that to
make
this revolution
more
popular,after the Floridas
would
be
were
taken, the expedition against Mexico
attempted; that they feared no oppositionfrom a
government

weak

so

States troops
Burr

had

as

the

all in the

were

caused

them

to be

expeditionagainstMexico
to follow him.

and

in them

the

of the

Western

same

Federal

West,
sounded

; that

he did not

; that

and
in

they

doubt

the

that

United

Colonel

regard to

were

all

that there

the

ready

existed

dispositionto sustain the rights

States,in which they lived,against

236

HISTORY

OF

impotent forces

the

Mexico

of the

thereabout

possessionswould
To

of

reveal

that

and

be

such

Federal

CH.

revolutionized

the

made

plan

at

10.

; that

government

be disembarked

English fleet,
by troops to
or

STATES.

assailed,in co-operationwith

to be

was

UNITED

THE

the

Tampico
Spanish

republics.
to

was

destroy its

chance

presentinghimself before
the Spanish minister
Dayton appeared as a traitor
not only to the Union, but also to the conspirators
with whom
he was
engaged. Such a character was
confidence.
to create
not likely
Yrujo instantlysaw
that Burr
stood behind
Dayton; that England could
have
not
encouraged the conspiracy,for, had she
done
to beg
never
come
so, the conspiratorswould
dollars from
few thousand
a
Spain ; and that the
success

Mexican

in

and

scheme,

thus

if it

ever

already abandoned,

or

vealed.

the

Dismissing

promise

to

his Government

pointed at
Burr

drew

once

talk with
a

it would

not

him

long account
as

his information

have

doings
; and

States had
Jefferson

in the

for

West.

twenty

talked of

years

been

re*

with

the person
about

The
the

He

of the interview.

through

Mexico.

marquis

whom

Yrujo
blindness

perplexed only by Jefferson's apparent

the

been

and
civility
further,Yrujo wrote to

ex-senator

to Clark

have

existed, must

was

peopleof

the

Spaniardswith contempt.

was

to

iard
SpanUnited
Even

their faithlessness and paltrines

freelyassumed
; but surelyif Yrujo had cared to concentrate
in a few
words
his opinion of American
political
if these
could have wondered
character,no American

BURR'S

1805.

few

like

words,

thing
I

"

where

and

lasted

was

the

The
House

than
as

living

no

two

that

"

deceived

by

istration
Admin-

the

Colonel

Burr's

the

President, although penetrating

for this
well as fearing him, and
him

invites

had

ago

more

there
on

only

not

days

five

that

I know

detesting as

reason,

Cevallos,

to

wrote

let itself be

will not
wiles ; but

left
lightning,

struck.

they

sure," he

am

of

flash

237

SCHEMES.

his

to

table, but

secret

conference

hours,

and

little good faith

on

with

in which
the

about

him

which

confident

am

side

one

only

there

as

was

other."

assertion

could

within

rarely saw,

denied.

be

not

The

White

few

days' interval,two
less creditable guests than Aaron
Burr, fresh from
confidinghis plans to Anthony Merry, and Francesco
de Miranda, openly engaged in a militaryattack from
the port of New
York
of Spain.
upon the dominions
Yrujo was at firstinclined to distrust Dayton ; but
Miranda's
undertaking, which crossed Burr's plans,
the means
of proving his good
gave to the ex-senator
faith. Indeed, in a few days more,
Dayton made a
clean breast,admittingthat England had disappointed
Burr's expectations,
and that Burr had authorized
the
offer to sell his services to Spain.
I

"

wrote

that
he

have

had

Yrujo

considers

him

three weeks

Colonel

necessary

with

for

Burr

will

imprudent,
an

two

very

later,1"
not

treat

and

undertaking

Jan. 1, 1806
Yrujo to Cevallos,

long conferences,"

in which

with

wanting
of

such

; MSS.

he

has

told

Miranda,
in

many

whom

qualities

magnitude
Spanish

me

as

Archives.

he

238

HISTORY

has

nothing

Colonel

the

he

zeal

disposed
named

to

itself to

Floridas, has

For

aid.

would

all the

although

execute,

to

easy

of

in view

part, that

those
States,especially

Maryland, Delaware,
New

It

York.

in this

country

is

standard

under

the

better

their lot.

friends, without
ceeded
the

Burr."

in

his

it will

the

of

the

confess, for my
it

greatest confidence

of

among

to

seems

the

me

Atlantic

is,Virginia,
and

Jersey,
there

exists

adventurers, without

revolution

discovering their

country,

localities,this

that

ready

Equally certain

his

as

without

even

irritate
"

the

on

well

as

know

plan

inclined

attack

he,

central,

getting the good- will

York

rather

seems

Pennsylvania, New
beyond question that

of

same

intimacy with

circumstances

property, full of ambition, and

the

tleman
gen-

; but

infinite number

an

with

all, certain

called

capital,and

New

not

insane

almost

appear

so

correspondence,

in execution

does

who

one

constitution, and, above

plan

he

put

Pitt

raising the

that

object, which
be

the

departure another

plan, excepting
same

with

they

for

of his

verge

that

in consequence

London

to

much

me

Mr.

of

object

well known

friends,hope may

foreign
its

the

the

Burr, which

This

execute.

chief

the

on

in

in his

it ; that

despatch

to

plans

up

told

London

project

10.

determined

finding

exactness

undertook

Warton,

Burr, but that

suggested

of

also
to

not

the
to

following

first he

at

as

were

turned

want

not

was

for

York,

very

He
sent

dr.

New

to
was

him.

ministry,

States, had

showed, by

Burr

was

Melville

Lord

Western

that

British

the

as

warm

Colonel

who

STATES.

returned

do with

to

Williamson,

for

plan

UNITED

has

finding that

at

have

THE

Miranda

hand.

on

piqued
to

OF

to

unite

which

is it that
true
these

at

promises
Burr

and

object, have
and

men,

them

once

in

to

his
sue

ing
inspir-

favor

of

-,
The

almost

"

"

insane

plan

minister

Spanish

the

to

239

SCHEMES.

BURR'S

Dayton unfolded

which

less

nothing

was

than

to

city of Washington a
well armed, who,
of men
in disguise,
certain number
to seize the President,
at a signalfrom
Burr, were
of the Senate,
Vice-President,and the President
by degrees

introduce

the

into

"

at the beginningof each

always named
absence
of
of the death, illness,
or
session,in case
of govthe heads
the two first. Having thus secured
ernment,
to seize the public
the
conspiratorswere
deposited in the Washington and Georgetown
money
banks, and to take possessionof the arsenal on the
to delay
Burr hoped by this blow
Branch.
Eastern
and perhaps to negotiatewith
or
paralyze opposition,

the substitute

the

all
two

in the

these

on

he

with

sail for

would

Wild

as

his followers
Orleans

New

this scheme

for the

rest

to draw

discontented

it.

sounded

He

his whole

as

in

to

more

emancipation of Louisiana

of

favorable

arrangement

an

probablecase that he could

burn
maintain
himself at Washington, he would
the national vessels at the Navy Yard, except the
three which
barking
were
or
ready for service,and em-

himself ; but
not

States

individual

was,

and
it

of the winter, and

proclaim

and

the

occupied Burr's
he

made

object; but to William

Derne, he opened himself with as
to Merry and
Yrujo. Eaton was
January and February,1806, sore

many

mind

efforts
into

government

Truxton,

without

ing
reveal-

Eaton, the
much

the

States.

Western

officers of the

Commodore

the treasure,

and

hero

confidence

at

Washington

at

the

manner

240

HISTORY

in

which

his

extravagant

THE

claims

were

UNITED

laid open

plan

for

STATES.

CH.

10,

treated

in ideas of his

Burr

same

OF

the whole

by Congress,and
importance. To him

own

in

secret,even

regard to

the

the
attacking Washington. The story was
which
had been told to Merry and
Yrujo.1 He

his second
in command
as
spoke of Wilkinson
; of
his son-in-law,
Allston, as engaged in the enterprise;
Orleans
the capitalof his Western
and
of New
as
an
empire, whence
expeditionwould be sent for the

conquest
the

be

of Mexico.

Alleghany
of

"If

he

his

to

interests

Decatur,
heels

out

amounted
of

an

The

and

naval

that),

and

to

was

although
declared

he

pressed
ex-

himself

Tennessee.
the

marine

commanders
would

Congress

secure

neck

and

(or

what

President

the

declare

and

corps

Truxton, Preble,

turn

doors, assassinate

of
to

himself

the

protector

energeticgovernment."
of

scheme

Burr

aid.

the

over

others, he

episodedue

an

gain

and

; and

Ohio, he

about

Kentucky
could

line of demarcation

Mountains

doubts

some

certain

The

to

was

attackingWashington
Burr's despairof British

reduced

to many

devices

was
or

merely
Spanish

in order

to

12, immediately
keep his conspiracyalive. December
after the disappointinginterview
with
Merry, and
Dayton's first advance to Casa Yrujo,Burr wrote to
his
Wilkinson
letter evidentlyintended
to conceal
a
diplomaticdisaster and to deceive his friend. He
said that there would be no war
with Spain,and fore1

Deposition of

p. 396.

General

Eaton

Life

of

William

Eaton,

BURR'S

1806.

the

told

Truth, I

from

its

that

knew

who

at

St. Louis

command

The

Ohio

audience

in

the

Denunciation

the

British

of

tender

certain

military

speculation it

tillthe whole
referred
The

believed

Government

of Burr

and

be

can

to

in

is not

cated.
communi-

letter from

auspices,however,

that

MeanwKfte

declare

to

was

squadron
revolutionary
ment
governdelegationto Natchez

delegation,composed
February."
to

of

formal

suspense.
it is

and

know

you

Wilkinson.

circumstance

remains

favorable,

send

to write

material

deemed

commander-

must

Orleans

the

of

subject

the

case

served
conspiracy,he relines,intelligible
enough to

to

that

In

"

been

He

arrival

the

make

General

to

On

"

As

New

once

to

have

you.

short

independence on
in February, and

or

it

few

would

in

assure

Virginia."

it for
those

would

warfare, Lee

in-chief.
come

of Government.1

peacefulcourse

of such

241

SCHEMES.

Wilkinson
of Adair

asked

Wilkinson

no
was

will

and

are

give

Dayton,

questions.
dangerous ;

tried

again and again with disastrous results.

Major Bruff,at St. Louis, who suspected the truth,
was

dared

officer: 2 but
confided
a

at

of the

senator
1

Burr

such

charge against his superior

certain Judge Easton, to whom
Burr
a
St. Louis,ventured
to write a letter to

bring

not

United

States

charging Wilkinson

Wilkinson, Dec. 12, 1806 ; Wilkinson's Memoirs,

ii. Appendix, Ixxxiv.
2
Evidence of Major Bruff,Burr's Trial ; Annals of Congress,
to

1807-1808, p.
VOL.

III.

597.
"

16

242

HISTORY

OF

THE

was

told in

replythat

the

writer

should

how

care

office.
in

the letter

mind

So thick

with

burned,

and

business,and

10.

and
that

take

in power

high

men

and

of

intrigue,
especially
supposed to pervade the

was

; men's

House

CH.

expedition;

was

own

atmosphere

an

Spanish matters,

White

his

meddled

he

STATES.

Miranda's

in

being concerned

with

UNITED

minds

were

befogged with

so

and
secret
Spanish war
about
private encouragement
peace, with
messages
and
Miranda
to
public punishment of Miranda's
John
friends,with
Randolph's furious charges of
duplicityand Madison's helplesssilence under these

public

that

charges,
"

until

the

President

himself

word, Burr, Wilkinson, Dayton,

the

say

about

messages

associates

safe,and

were

might

hatch

should

and

their
in the

treason

face of all the world.

had

Jefferson

President

his hands, and

Burr

alreadytoo
still too

had

rousing fresh reprisalsat

warrant

difficulties of the Administration

President

continued

to

to

defeat

be

trusted

his

Burr

people could

purpose,

but

the

they

in
be

public,
trusted

people could
had

instituted

government in order to provide themselves

proper machinery for such emergencies,and the
a

alone
made

He

an

could

attempt

set
to

first consulted
"

John

Cotton

it in

put

the

action.

President

the
The

extreme.

were

Doubtless

schemes.

for that

the

tim$ when

on

friends,to

many

countenance

allegingin privatethat

feuds

many

ident
PresEaton

General
on

with

his

guard.

leading Federalist Congressmen,

and Samuel
who
Smith
Dana,

two

"

word
tongue, for his solitary

his

to hold

Ivised him

243

SCHEMES,

BURR'S

ter.1
against the weight of Burr's characNevertheless,in March, 1806, he called at the
avail

rould not

House

White

After

"

removed

be

to

in it.

him.

I said

President, without

The

perhaps

person

integritythan

respect

would

to

which

manner

was

eighteenmonths

have

an

had
and

of

to

admit

Evidence

any

not

of William

put
his

such

tant,
impor-

the

the

in the

disposed of, we

of

confidence
shown

511, 512.

I said

should

to

in

revolution,

President

that

apprehensions

Eaton,

not

said

he

information, the integrity,

people

not

ceived
per-

mode, and

danger,

The

honor,

the President

shortest

the

to

his

on

fidelity.I

insurrection, if

had

had

1807-1808, pp.

in

point

the

President

he
Orleans,

and

Mississippi.

attachment

If the

the

confidence

Union,

New

of

much

too

about

doubt

disagreeableto

would

Burr

the waters

like

secure

point

my

him, if Colonel

on

too

eminence

an

subjectwas

bring him

to
a

the

Madrid.

himself

to

that

in

so

placed on

that when

and

had

ambition

where

think the trust

a

sidered
con-

franklytold the President that

had stronger grounds to suspect that
his pride of
had ; but that I believed
his other
predominated over
passions

Mr.

no

asked

or

gesting
sugBurr

positive expression,in

any

Burr.

Colonel

President

England

to

to

libertyof

thought

The

to
delicacy,seemed
expressed something

integrityof

the

aimed

country, because

of

matter

and

the

from

which

I took

that

dangerous
send

he should

President.

West,

President

the

him

to the

attention
to

ought

the

saw

desultoryconversation, in

his

draw

and

Burr's

of

country
that

in

it in

to

the

kind."

the

people of
framing a form

Trial; Annals

of Congress,

244

of

for

government

closed.

year

he

them

In

afraid

was

Burr's

of

who

impudent

his

Burr

him,

of

names

down

"

the

to

fellow

ought

chimerical,

subject
1

the

members

to

be

and

his

the

merit

Deposition

of

the

Jan.

credible.
innot

veil

over

name

and

the

as

though

he

contradicted

or

Washington

and

agreed

but

thought

1807

his

that

to

consideration."

Life

of

Eaton,

p.

Mr.

believed

projects

desperate,

too

of

projects

They

serious

26,

Congress.

circumstances
of

tempt
con-

almost

at

whole

anything,

hanged,

session.

of
of

one

self,
him-

dared

freely

no

which

by

even

remained

Eaton,1

capable

Burr

and

matters

of

said

certain

to

Colonel

the

close

detailed,"

Burr

So

him.

disavowed

throw

as

That

Burr

then

President's

officers
;

of

President

to

the

used

himself

President

were

cared

Cabinet

his

belief

even

the

before

sympathy

caution

seem

that

never

He

treason.

the
the

was

to

as

Believing
touch

of

10.

hensions
appre-

himself.

Jefferson's

to

no

many

deceived

and

excited,

responded

so

he

CH.

admitted

admitted

he

truth,

STATES.

if he

and

Burr

had

career

UNITED

1806,

March,

in
the

THE

OF

HISTORY

401.

the
too

give

CHAPTER

of Pitt

death

THE

XL

destroyed all immediate

possi-

of drawing England into conspiracywith Burr,

)ility
if indeed
to

attempt

had
possibility

obtain

from

money

existed.

ever

Spain

The

equally

was

hopeless. Except for Madison's conduct in receiving

Miranda
and refusingto receive Yrujo,Dayton would
probably have

Spain ; but the

he was
able to give Yrujo in regard to
plans and proceedings deserved
reward,

information

Miranda's
and

Dayton

amounting
from

at different times

received
in

all

about

to

three

thousand

dollars,

ties
Spanish treasury. Dayton'sprivate necessirequiredmuch largersums.

also

was

New

York, where
Conspiracywas

without
to

ruined.
an

He

could

indictment

hung

easier

foreignaid was
join. Jefferson

than
too

poverty ;
wild

might

and

his

friends

that

not
over

but

scheme

at that

stopped Burr's activity

by sending
him

of money,

sums

the

Burr

men

nothing from

obtained

their

word

return

his

to

head.

conspiracy
for other

moment

have

privatelyto

be
projectsmust
dropped; but Jefferson,while closing every other
lowed
path,left that of conspiracyopen to Burr, who folit only with
much
difficulty.In order to

246

HISTORY

retain

any

an

friends

all,and

elaborate

network

knew

helped

Congress,Burr
that

and
him
aid
been
"

wrote

and

to

before

required

them

Dayton

n.

in

alone

deceive.
the

Wilkinson

to

had

Wilkinson

him

CH.

obliged to

was

falsehood.

of

April 16, 1806, a few days

of

he

entangle himself

truth, and

the

STATES.

followers

or

them

deceive

UNITED

THE

OF

adjournment

letter

certain

ing
imply-

conditions

enlargement of the scheme; Burr assured

that his requirements,which
probably concerned
from
Truxton, Preble, Eaton, and Decatur, had
fullysatisfied :
an

"

The

execution

Want

association
could

our

is

rendered

rendered

reasons

enlarged, and
Confidence

wish.

project is postponed

in Ohio

of water

other

of

States

this

aids.

Randolph
Nothing

to

has

heard

Washington."
Burr's

wrote

replying
been

Gushing

Is

all that

to
to

us

be

few.

and

short
from

Porter

with

throughout
a

you

long

tainty
cer-

United

the

letter

deemed

which
last

Address

cember,
De-

silly.

very

Brigadier since

right?

this

more

is damned

one

the

Wilkinson

Though

move

Administration
Burr

The

delay expedient.

limited

summer.

ticable
imprac-

movement

comprises

delay is irksome, it will enable

and
dignity. Burr will

till December.

ber.
Octo-

Burr

at

letters to Wilkinson

were

always

in

cipher,

and

ing
mysteriouslyworded ; but in this despatch nothWilkinson
afterward explained
was
unintelligible.
that he was
himself the
Brigadier,"and the two
"

names

were

those

Wilkinson's

of officers under
Memoirs,

his

command.

ii. Appendix, Ixxxiii.

The

him
"

join in

to

made

from

petty

Hitherto

assistance.

ably
Prob-

efforts to obtain

into

Dayton,
Spanish

to

May 14, 1806, the

Pedro
Cevallos,1

secretary of state,but

his

minister

the

communications

the

idea,

in my

Spain

; but

bearer

before

though by
persons,

long,

different

both

Tennessee, with
interests

of these

those

of

themselves

to

the

reau],as they lack

will be proper
1

less

or

same

Spain

either

and

two

cumspect
cir-

will

self
my-

also

next

the

tails
de-

arrive

in

simultaneously with
three

or

from

Kentucky

object.

They

all consider

as

united

France

; but

Emperor
confidence

do

and

in

him.

to communicate

Yrivjoto Cevallos,
May 14, 1806;

MSS.

and
the

conformity
principal,or

in

the

wish

not

Napoleon's

me

respectable

very

and

principals,here

not

plan, with

There

of

very

Spain

to

return

whole

To
that

on

be

to

the

of

even

compromised

not

the

countries

correctlythe

more

have

Louisiana

the

careful

in

me

part and

our

been

of

ways,

from

confirm

on

when

more

him

; and

me

circumstances.

wanted.

be

may

with

to

certain

and

answers,

shall be

that

with

I have

manner

any

spring I

under

pecuniary aid

is wanted.

in

himself

probability,but

the

of

his success,

it,some

France

had

I have

only

not

of
facility,
insure

"

principal[Burr]has opened

The

"

to Don

wrote

to

him

lending

left this task

had

money

himself

certainlyexerted

he

would

if ever."

December,

Spanish government

the

delude

; he

sources

this letter

viting
Blennerhassett,in-

to

other

many

carried

speculation,"which

"

before

not be commenced

Burr

which

another

carried

Wilkinson

to

mail

western

same

247

PREPARATIONS.

BURR'S

1806.

to

open

[TurConsequently,it
minister

the

matter

at all

Spanish Archives.

248

HISTORY

to that

government,

its

OF

shall not

representativehere

it ; for, I repeat,
this has

been
I

do it with

to

or

have

they

condition

STATES.

UNITED

THE

intimation

the

the least

have

in

confidence

no

imposed

CH.

on

me

11.

that

notice of

him, and

in the communications

received."

have

obstinate

refusing to advance
him
Burr
tried to alarm
by pretending to
money,
of attacking Florida
and
take up again the scheme
another
June
Mexico.
long
9, 1806, Yrujo wrote
despatch on the subject. Burr, he said,had suddenly
ceased to visit him as frequently
as
usual,and Dayton
had
explained the coldness as due to Burr's belief
in England would
Administration
be
that the new
liberal and zealous than that of Pitt. Dayton
more
added
that Burr
instructions
was
drawing up new
Finding Yrujo

for

Bollman

London

to

British

in

the

on

Dayton professedto have

of
4

'Day

Spain from

he
of

told

ton

council
in

which
alter

he

the

it,would

to be

of

month

thought

plan

this

be

as

put

certain

answered

Burr

in fact

which

the

part

own

ought

observed

acted

the

as

Burr

to

in deliberation

chiefs

December

to

hold

next, and

unjust and

that

would

they

at least the

determined

are

this idea

circumstances

point, or

Spanish possessions

in

tector
pro-

New

June 9, 1806;
Yrujo to Cevallos,

should

net
cabileans
Or-

New

that

his

for

impolitic;

to

be able to

require,and

Orleans.
MSS.

in

plan

in the

always

direction

though
al-

that

assuredlythe principal,yet

(Burr) was

this nature

had

he

the

ambition.
unprincipled

Burr's

me1

send

to

co-operationfrom

attack

an

decided

even

invite

to

government

had

he

that

Williamson;

in

to be

that

given

Dayton

to

told

SpanishArchives.

that he would

me

be

to

was

such

people's also, it
garrisons

Pensacola

at

of

circumstance
used

might

be

such

project.

wrote

me

read

him

that

they

of

were

say

that

the

creating at

to

tenor

were

New

of

before

be

given

to

with

me,

starting,
Burr

had
and

Bollman,
me."

to

defence

abandoning

before

so

then

of

night

hardly

other

the

conference

indicated

of

that

for

and

idea

our

the

Orleans

the

the

reinforce

condition

this

his residence

Cevallos

and

and

Mobile,

holding

instructions

the

for

to

to

us

weighty argument

to

for

who

make

and

head,

respectable

After

note

Godoy
pay

as

well

and

our

returned

Dayton

be

would

would

to drive

order

Burr's

of

out

temptation

in

that

and

opposition;

same

measures

Wilkinson,

Congress,

the

of

strength

General

knew

he

that

member

all his

with

oppose

of this nature, and

249

PREPARATIONS.

BURR'S

1806.

imbecile

as

to

American

new

Spanish possessionsthan
which
Jefferson presided
the peacefulrepublic over
Don
Pedro
Cevallos read Yrujo's
at Washington.
At
first he even
despatches with great interest.
empire

that

hinted

dangerous

more

if the

United

to

States

were

bent

on

ing
forc-

with

Spain,these adventurers,in case of

actual hostilities,
useful ; 1 but this
might be made
suggestion was
accompanied by many
warnings to
himself or to contribute money,
Yrujo not to commit
and
at last by a flat announcement
that the King
would
not
in any way
Burr's designs.2
encourage
a

war

Cevallos

to

Casa

Yrujo, March

28, 1806;

MSS.

Spanish

Yrujo, July 12, 1806;

MSS.

Spanish

Archives.
2

Cevallos

Archives.

to

Casa

250

HISTORY

The

OF

THE

conspiratorswere

UNITED

in

STATES.

CH.

11

garded
positionas reill-luck,
Merry's

worse

England. By a fatal stroke of

despatch of Nov. 25, 1805, written to be read in
received
at
by the Tory Lord Mulgrave, was
secrecy
the Foreign Office Feb. 2, 1806, ten days after Pitt's
death, and was
probably opened by Charles James
almost
the last man
in England to whom
Fox,
have
The
it.
Merry would
willinglyshown
only
received by Merry reached
answer
Washington about
June
ment
1, 1806, and consisted in the dry announcebeen
that his Majesty had
pleased to listen
favorablyto Mr. Merry's request for a recall,and
had
appointed the Hon. David Montague Erskine as
"

his

successor.

that he had never

Merry complained piteously
gested
sugthat he had indeed
to be recalled,
the
a wish
strongest desire to remain, and felt himself greatly
was
less,
remorseaggrieved at his treatment
; but Fox
and
Merry could only prepare for Erskine's
this sudden
arrival. Smarting under
reproof,Merry
it
with Burr.
Doubtless
held his parting interview

little cheerful

was

as

but

Merry

immediate
waited
last
his
"

did
or

not
a

think

minute

saw

this

side

himself

as

the

on

Merry

to C. J.

other;

requiredto give an
of

account

it to

He

Fox.

and then, in one

arrival,
2, 1806, after Burr had
West, Merry wrote,1

of his

begun

"

gentleman [Burr] for

place [Washington]in
1

one

until Erskine's

despatches,Nov.
in the
operations
I

on

the

Fox, June

month

of

last time

the

June

1, 1806; MSS.

at this

last,when

British

Archives.

he

I had

particularinquiry whether

made

from

Government

my

at New

him

with

:luctantly,

received

any

swer
an-

propositions he

had

them, and

to

lamented

and

the

Orleans, would

now,

not, because

I had

that

the

to

to transmit

requested me

251

PREPARATIONS.

BURR'S

1806.

he,

ingly
exceednected
con-

persons

though

very

selves
necessityof addressing themHe
French
and
to the
Spanish governments.
of
added, however, that the dispositionof the inhabitants
the Western
Louisiana, to separate
country, and particularly

that

be

under

the

themselves

from

the

attempt might be

the

without

success

last words
it

to

me

with

the terror

had

become

of

only

from

but

their

; and

such

his

support,

England, Burr

and

Yrujo
impudence

to threaten

Fox

; but

Every step taken

taken
conspirators was
by
resource.

until at last

lived from

How

of

prospect

shortly."

James

by the
imposture;
who

strong

so

whatever

without

or

very

day

to

flagranttheir

partly shown

in

their
of

treatment

they became

ing
day by cheatimposture was,

attempt

deceive

to

Wilkinson

far

was

dishonest.

Toward

the
all that

to

subordinate
Erick

end

of

could

July, 1806,
be

done

begin his campaign

strenuous

were

made

of Charles

other.

been

Yrujo;
more

new

swindlers

each
has

be

their

thenceforward

petty

that, with

were

was

every

singularimpudence

needed

Dayton

with

made

receivingthis rebuff

After

Union

foreign assistance

any

certainlywould

means

American

efforts money
adventurers

Burr

plished
accom-

in the

East, and

New

Orleans.

to

had

been

in

motion.

Bollman, famous

had

for

an

raised

to

Among
attempt to

pared
pre-

By

set the

these
rescue

252

HISTORY

OF

THE

UXITED

STATES.

Cn.

Lafayette from

confinement

officer named

Pestre,or Dupiester; Samuel

wout,

Peter

V.

receive

of Robert

brother

younger

of

Ogden, a nephew

when

come

De

each

orders

Of all Burr's

to the

as

role he

hung back and had

1805, nothing had
letter had

made
been

was

most

contained

Swart-

finally
young
The

time

had

place,and must
to play.
not only the
was

doubtful.

from

He

Since

conditions.
heard

French

his

intimates,Wilkinson

important,but also the

most

; and

Dayton.

take

must

actor

Olmiitz

at

n.

him,

had

October,
his last

and

objections deemed
very silly."
dated
At last a letter,
This letter
May 13, arrived.
the light; afterward,at the trial,
son
Wilkinnever
saw
Burr
of
challengedits production,and accused
in assertingthat it had been
falsehood
destroyed at
Wilkinson's
request or with his knowledge. Only
conclusion
one
might be taken as certain in regard
to its contents,
they did not suit the situation of
Dayton and Burr.
dated July 24, 1806, and was
Dayton's reply was
sent by his nephew, Peter V. Ogden, to Wilkinson.
"

"

"It

is
in

old

well

now

next

friend's

ascertained

session,"

pride

and

wrote

fears.

that

you

are

Dayton, working
will

"Jefferson

yield reluctantlyto the public sentiment, but

will.
Prepare yourself,therefore, for it. You
rest.

Y'ou

are

not

man

to

to be

despair,or

even

OD

affect

placed
dishis
to

yield he
know

the

despond,

when
such prospects offer in another
quarter.
especially
Are
associates
numerous
ready?
you ready? Are
your
!
Wealth
and Mexico
and glory! Louisiana
"

BURR'S

,Together

with

253

PREPARATIONS.

this exhortation

from

Dayton, Burr

famous
the key
as
cipher despatch,afterward
to the whole
conspiracy. Published at different times
with varying versions,as suited Wilkinson's
tary
momensent

objects,the
follows:

nearly as

is received.

actually commenced.
points

different

of

the

at

friends

ready

and

Wilkinson

dictate the rank

goes his

with

and

of

this

Send

list of

mountains
their

or

any

By
of

to

forward

six

spirits.
shall

Burr

officers.

With

return.

in

will

October,

intelligent

an

confer

may

he

interestingdetails

to

of

messenger

note

orders

west

of

ing
delineat-

send

me

four

you

can

row
bor-

please ; they

movement.

Wilkinson

useful, with

months'

to my

Wilkinson

harmony

are

us

United

of choice

officers,which

you

the

given

are

to

further

your

faithfully. Already
contractor

of

Burr

known
be

his

to

It will meet

navy

host

Jamaica

to

forthwith

and

your

pretence

going

ternal
in-

protection

will follow

whom

concert

characters.

five commissions
under

with

could

Naval

never

Send

all persons
who

of

dezvous
ren-

Everything

only ;

the husband

immediatelywith
to

to Burr

worthies.

is essential

August,

friend

from

final orders

promotion
1st

confidential

shall return

the

be second
and

detachments,
pretences, will

is

It will be

daughter ;

corps

May,
have

that station.

on

join,and

to

westward

proceed

13th
and

views.

our

Truxton

followers.
shall

very

funds,

November.

Mississippi. England,

States, are

him

favors

admiral

the

with

different

1st of

is secured.

England

arrange

Ohio

obtained

Eastern

under

external

and

have

The

and

the

on

letter,postmarked

Your

length I

At

ran

"

1806.

July 29,

"

reading probably

correct

shall

given

be
to

turned
re-

the

provisions to points

254

HISTORY

Wilkinson

and

last moment,

desired.

honor,

the lives and

the

best

15th

in

men,

be

to

Baton

by

people

the

of

receive

to

will

we

to

The

; their

us

for

agents,

invite

gods

we

seen

whether

we

goes

express

to

the

deserve
He

you.

with

will not

of

to

otherwise

of

disclose
He

has

to

the

imbibed

embarrassed

he

will

Had
doubt

far

as

you

be

and

plans

as

in

your

seize

for

presence

an

The

prepared

are

that

to

of

inviolable

if

of

than

pable
inca-

and

him

at

formed
in-

will

further.

no

character, and
put

this

thoroughly
Burr,

be

honor

rather

is

he

your

or

Burr

and
fidelity,

with

on

etc.

require, and

you

reverence

whether

bearer

execute

intentions

of

subject them

The

man

perfect discretion, formed

project,capable of relating facts
relatingthem

15th

; it remains

fortune

pose
pur-

all will be settled.

boon.

is

the

that

Burr, say

weeks

and

of

to

of

sand
thou-

and

going

are

now

glory and

to

us

or

all expenses,

in three

that

plan

to determine

protect their religion,and

foreign Power,

dreds,
hun-

receiptof this, send

to which

country

of

Falls, on

5th

first instance

On

Burr

on

the

; there

you

Rouge.

Draw

answer.

between

in the

the

long

so

and

Burr's

constructing for

now

the

life

fortunes

first five hundred

the

to meet

expedient

it will be
pass

with

his

country.

our

Natchez

at

with

the

and

ll.

until

point

rapidlyfrom

light boats

there

December,

of

down

move

November,

of

to

blood

used

to

result

honor

CH.

injunctions. Our

proper

the

guarantees

with

operation is

be

not

friend, is brought

dear
Burr

shall

under

then

STATES.

UNITED

; this

name

may

object, my

THE

OF

ease,

may
and

satisfyyou."
Burr

and

Wilkinson's
a

tissue

Dayton
course,

not

felt strong

they

of falsehoods

would

such

as

reason

not

these

have

to

vented
in-

letters

contained.

So

conduct,

one

no

him

any

Dayton

to

deny

that this gross

ties that

of

directed

to

on

and

Adair

see

in

their

been

letters

Bollman
New

to

Wilkinson.

started

by

sea

deception

previously

letters

Swartwout

way.

of

with

the

which

have
identical
time

same

similar

the
was

arid to deliver to

doubtless

At

almost

Swartwout, at

Kentucky,

despatches,the contents
made
known, but were

him

the

July, started

have

other

and

equally compromising, Ogden

end

might

future

Burr.

or

these

with

Furnished

Wilkinson's

concerned

as

could

free from

set him

bound

far

255

PREPARATIONS.

BURR'S

1806.

never

with
Erick

despatches for

Orleans.

Early in August Burr followed,taking with him his

daughter Mrs. Allston,and his chief of staff Colonel
De

Pestre.

After

crossing the

mountains

he

threw

At Canonsburg,about fifteen
ordinary caution.
miles beyond Pittsburg,
he stopped at the house of an
old friend, Colonel
serted
Morgan, and there so freelyasaside

of the Federal
imbecility
government and
the certaintyof a speedy separation of the Western
States from the Eastern,that Morgan thought himself
to give President
bound
Jefferson a warning.
The
conversation
at Canonsburg took place in the
afternoon
and
evening of August 22. A few days
afterward
Burr
arrived
at Blennerhassett's
island,
where
he found the owner
waiting with enthusiasm
to receive him.
Of all the eager
dupes with whom
Burr
had to deal, this intelligent
and
accomplished
Irish gentleman was
the most
simple. After wasting
the

256

HISTORY

half his property

left himself

had

dollars

leave
to

him

Burr
the

than
and

which

"Wilkinson

; but

Wilkinson

to

which

than

one

various

this

He

that he

small

property
littleas to

so

wished

of

The

Burr

getting money

had

to

invest.

he

said to

able

actual

Blennerhassett's

success.

of

way

make

less

was

falsehood.

to

was

burned

in effect what

Blennerhassett

detect

certain

seemed

ll.

sand
thirtyor fortythou-

Blennerhassett

which

said to Blennerhassett

Burr

discovered

produced

embarrassed.

CH.

ardently
bold speculation
fortune by some
; and
more
pressingnecessitythan to obtain

no

funds

STATES.

island,he

more

in funds

his

had

UNITED

live upon;

always

make

his

on

not

to

invested

was

THE

OF

tion
speculafortune

invented

; and

than

among

more

his

ingeniousthan that
of buying a certain
the
as
Spanish claim, known
the
district on
Bastrop grant, covering an immense
Red
River,and supposed to be owned in part by one
to buy
Lynch in Kentucky. Burr had undertaken
of which
dollars,
Lynch's interest for fortythousand
only four thousand or five thousand dollars need be
paid in money ; and he persuaded Blennerhassett
that on the most
moderate
estimate,they could reap'
Blennerhassett
from it the profit
of a million.
was
expedientsnone

assured

that

before

was

the

more

end

of the year

independent,with Burr for

the protection
of England. Wilkinson
States army
were
pledged to accept
would

and

be

to

support

Burr.

though Kentucky

and

Tennessee
Ohio

were

was

Louisiana

its ruler,under
and
the

the United

revolution

secured; and

doubtful,they would

257

PREPARATIONS.

1306.

BURR'S

end

by following Tennessee.

The

Washington would fall to pieces,and

under
a stronger government, would
Then
Bastrop'sgrant would
power.
its actual

the

but

due

cheapness was
its

moment

emigrationwould

meanwhile,
Erick

at

go

to doubts

as

would

once

be

to

by the

ested
be inter-

become

mous
enor-

the spot,and
He

would,

England,

short time
Blennerhasset's
incredibly
turned.
was
Unluckily for him, his wife's head
turned
even
more
easily than his own ; and
of Theodosia

Allston,who

the

island,dazzled
had been two days
so

enthusiastic

set

himself

disunion

eyes

an

Burr's

under
to

show

scheme
eye, to

the

infallible cure

Ohio
"

Gazette

"

of

the

September

at

guest

Burr

that

was

he

publish a

State of Ohio

acquired ills. The first of these

quickly finished,taken to Marietta, and
"

was

for all its natural

or

the

Before

of both.

supporter of the

in order

was

became

head

house, Blennerhassett

in the

work,

to

series of essays
that

the

with

legation.1

an

charms

ity
to its valid-

vast.

minister

as

character

would

to

to

once

decided

members

for secretaryof

Bollman

In

take

be directed

fortune

Blennerhassett's

empire

new

rise at

it,the value of the grant would

in
;

the

validitywas

government, all whose

new

at

government

essays

4 under

was

printed in
the

nature
sig-

Querist."

September 2, before the

Querist appeared, Burr
continued
his journey down
the river to Cincinnati,
where he arrived September 4, and remained
few
a
"

VOL.

III."

Blennerhassett
17

Papers,p.

"

351.

258

HISTORY

OF

Senator

days with

impotence of

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

Smith, talking freelyabout the

government, the rights and wrongs

to
people,and their inducements
separate empire. September 10 he crossed

river

Lexington

to

went

in

the

and

the

was

as
positively

Tennessee.

in

for his

only State

his

own.

confidence

Wilkinson

and

Tennessee

was

in

which

Burr

Whether

he had

Jackson

than

Daniel

Clark

nessee
Ten-

always claimed
better grounds
for his faith in

might

least vehement

at

the

ward
shortlyafter-

supposed to favor the disunion scheme.

was

set

of Andrew
friendship
Jackson,
was
stronglyattached to Burr,

of Nashville

the town

Kentucky,

Nashville

to

Owing chieflyto
and

11.

Western

of the
up

the

THE

be

doubted

in

hatred

but

of

the

Spaniards. The

Spaniardswere
pressingclose against
Burr
little force at Natchitoches,and

Wilkinson's
made
his

of the

use

scheme.

own

him

given to
the

toast

Burr

at

old

not

threatened

cent

returned

order

to

September 27 a public dinner

offered
Nashville,and Jackson
of 1798:

sentiment

in

war

and

to

Kentucky ;

appeared in

the newspaper

few

within

was
as

fence
for de-

"Millions

for tribute."

cover

days later
week

at Nashville

denly
sud-

strange

Jackson, Major-Geneproclamation signed Andrew

and dated Oct. 4, 1806, in which
ral Second Division,"
"

the

brigade commanders

brigades at
them
"

on

when

our

once

the

on

were

the government

country"

should

to

place their

footingas would enable

notice to supply their quotas

such

shortest

ordered

and

constituted

requirethem

to

authorities of
march.

This

1806.

BURR'S

unauthorized

step

supposed
conspiracy,and

of Burr's

gravelyin

Jackson

the

be

to

promised
com-

of the Government

eyes

Washington.

at

Allston

Theodosia

Meanwhile
left in

been

commonly

was

interest

the

in

taken

259

PREPARATIONS.

of

charge
himself

Blennerhassett

her husband

and

had

Blennerhassetts,while

the

behaved

he

though

as

villageschool-boyplayingthe part of

were

chieftain

in

an

imaginary feudal castle. He went about the country

raising recruits and buying supplies,chatteringto
which

of

Burr

Colonel

Spaniards,like
and
also friends

them

the

to

this
was

Taylor told

and

insisted

nerhassett's

By
Allstons

dition
expefided
con-

upon
papers

common

agreed

died."

were

Burr."

be

He

king
of

queen

added

Catholic

priestsand

that

the societies

strong party ;
got

it ; that the British

When

that
on

he

was

the

Theodosia

was

this

at the

tale,the world

consent

that the

tired of their government

to

the

pieceof

but
his

Blennerhassetts
was

were

subsequent
incredulous,

disbelievinghis story;
of
proved the extent

that

be

tory
Spanish terrilisted
enpriestswere

expedition
; and
to go to England

this

would

friends in the

to swap

for Colonel

trial

would

French, had

wanted

who

business

He

Allston

Roman

belonged to

man

fortunes.

Burr

; that those

in his corps

very

the

Colonel

Burr

great many

thousand

; two

which

Mrs.

that

and

had

"

their

Taylor,"that

whenever

Mexico

about

met

gardener,a simple,straightforwardfellow

Peter

Mexico,

he

man

make

to

was

in his
named

active

and

young

every

inherit

Blension.
deluand
the

260

empire from
could

Allston
"

her

I will win
in

deeds

father;

take
it

the

by

council

Theodosia's

as

crown

impatient to exchange

sett

was

the

court

longed

of her young

to set

sail

for secretary of

Bollman

of this
advance

Mrs.

her

if Allston

Burr's

use

sealed

guaranty

to

England
legation. Under

with

Erick

the

ence
influ-

offered

to

of all his property for

would
certain

for

Blennerhassett

for

the extent

to

my

Blennerhas-

intoxication,Blennerhassett

money

by

island
solitary

; and

empress

minister

as

"

"

in field !

and

whether
husband.

he cried,
title,"
"

11.

CH.

existed

doubts

but

better

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

him

give

written

Allston

; which

amount

and

did.2

Leaving his wife at the island,while fifteen boats

were
buildingat Marietta and kilns for baking bread
the island itself,
Blennerhassett
constructed
on
were
the river to Lexington,
with the Allstons down
went
and there rejoinedBurr on his return from Nashville,
about

1.

October

time

No

would

building at Marietta
others

men;

hundred

to

more.

had

been

about

carry

built elsewhere

be

Recruiting

went

lost.

The

boats

five hundred

would

carry

five

rapidly forward.
Lynch's interest in

Finally,the purchase-money for

dollars,
Bastrop'sgrant, about four or five thousand
congratulatedhimself
was
paid ; and Blennerhassett
thousand
acres
on
owning a share in four hundred
of land
1

March
2

in the

Blennerhassett

2,

heart

of Louisiana.

Papers,p. 333;

Blennerhassett

1811.

Blennerhassett

Papers,pp. 397, 535.

to

Allston,

Philadelphia,Burr
directions

to

the

and

October
of

movements

Casa

Burr

Dayton.

York

in New

Pestre

Marquis of

the

Swartwout

to

De

sent

report

to
conspirators

his friends

with

communicate

To

261

PREPARATIONS.

BURR'S

1806.

25, with

the

Western
well

Yrujo,as
De

gave

and

as

Pestre

to

objectof his mission was to blind

the Spanish minister in regard to the schemes
against
Mexico
and
Florida; in realityDe Pestre's mission
was
Yrujo
probablyfor the purpose of raisingmoney.
vember
Nowas
already well informed from other sources.
10, before De Pestre's arrival,the Marquis
that

understand

to his Government

wrote

squads : l

river in

Colonel

44

of

Burr

have

will

made.

After

follow
Burr

once

the

of

and

meanwhile

place

Orleans,
which
1

the

will

and

the

passing

people

Cincinnati

thousand
there

the

stand

the

the

this

mask,
of

the

of

Mississippi.

armed

States, and

himself

at

to

will

Yrujo to Cevallos,Nov.

the

have

head

offer, will

work,

clothed

given

10. 1806

ences
its differ-

of

the

troop

will

met, which

has

which

him.

MSS.

will

Colonel

will wait

he

is supposed

arms

Mississippi.

where

Western

set

pretext

they expect

time

at the

navigation of

accept the

will

under

meeting (junta) they will

this
of

He

men

down

move

great land-purchase he

Orleans

independence
to

them

Natchez,

New

in

with

course

at

stop

Assembly

down

five

dropping

down
will

to

In

about

us

thus

Ohio

deposited

government
with

upper

go
on

get possession of

the

five hundred

some

"

establishingthem
to

that

the

collectingon

were

to

one

until

the

happen
declare

at

the

will invite Burr

their

of

descend
in
I

ment.
governto

New

character

understand

Spanish Archives.

262

HISTORY

Colonel

that

Burr

independence,
that

States

the

This

and

President

When

Burr

England
them

with

Rouge.

that

with

West

Florida

the

of

Rouge

Yrujo

should
am

by

on

things
to-morrow
to

be

on

that

believed

Britain.

inasmuch

the

as

it up

assured

that

written
his

this

in 1776,

to

guard

of

Burr's

another

from

Governor

Baton

good

on

Folch

although

Folch's

be

must

to master

to live

and

with

doned,
project is aban-

wishes

he

contrary

and

him

of

terms

same

Great

drew

of Governor

means

of the American
the

the

accompany

11.

declaration

against

who

person

Wilkinson, he

to-day or

of Baton

in

notable

more

I have

be

to

that

state

the

CH.

project of acting in agreement

the

on

Spain,

General

write

Although

persuaded

theirs

in

the

the

STATES.

it is couched

is the
was

UNITED

seizing the Floridas, he expected

terms

of

alreadywritten

troops that

and

with

has

adopted

made

and

THE

that

circumstance

actual

OF

of
am

connection

perfectlyinformed
intentions,I

letter to the

shall

Governor

the alert."

Wilkinson, the General

army,

then

supposed

point of attacking the Spanish force

in

mand
com-

to be

in his

on

front,

secretlyand regularlycommunicating with the

Spanish Governor of West Florida.
Burr was
engaged in deceivingevery one ; but his
the
attempt to deceive Yrujo,if seriouslymeant, was
ber
Decemleast comprehensibleof all his manoeuvres.
4 the Spanish minister wrote
to his Government
another
despatch which betrayed his perplexityat
was

Burr's
"

day

I
to

conduct

"

positivelyassured,"

am

another

Orleans,

to

join

will

embark

Colonel

Burr

he

said,

from

New

in

"

that

York

from
for

one

New

Louisiana, three of

his

intimate

friends, depositariesof

namely,

Mr.

Colonel

Smith,

the

and

since

by

this time

Orleans

the New
attributed

the

cipherwith

and
execution

the

The

the
the

tial
confiden-

Casa

Calvo's
the

of

one

spirators,
con-

to
efficaciously

very

it shall

case

projects

be

carried

designatedas No. 13 in the cipherused

Casa Calvo and
the general-inGodoy was
the American
The
quis's
Marforces,Wilkinson.

of

chief

despatch
Pestre,who
house

appeared

of

Burr's

various
.

in

week

of

one

Burr,

mentioned

next

about

arrival

the

November

27 at

of

De

Yrujo's

"

About

search

said

in

through

person

between

me,

know

of

is

contribute

scheme

the

only

through
Marquis of

Peace, who

Colonel

of precaution,

excess

an

to

affair,and
of

also

of

wrote

Viceroy of

this

of

not

Prince

of

the

to

is

of the

is to

as

effect."

into

"

aide-

13

who

famous

an

out

newspapers
but

the

went

No.

of the

channel

Burr,

district

ness
busi-

movements

must

Natchez

and

Colonel

to

they

the

the

idea

This

implicated in

and

the

to watch

his adventurers.

of

and

Accordingly

general

them

recommending
Burr

them

giving

Mexico,

son

Floridas

both

of

governors

whose

adventurer.

that

of

de-camp
the

and

was

confidence

of

Erwin,

who

same

Miranda,

of

Dr.

certain

whole

his

lately marshal

Swartwout,

York,

New

of

263

PREPARATIONS.

BURR'S

1806.

This
.

which,

States,he

could

former

partisans,who

French

officer came
from

came

articles for the execution

officer handed

after

simply that

ago

as

me

recommending
this

give

me

person

had

information

Kentucky
of

his

letter from

him

to

to me,

in

taking.
under-

Colonel
the

writer

lately visited
about

see

them

those

worthy

264
of

OF

HISTORY

curiosity.The

my

October

Pestre

he

message

following:

should
I

told

that

plans

and

in order

States

plans, but

divided

and

the

; that

with

Florida

to

the

the

in

of

might
New

wished
diminish
Mobile

be

place, to

and

ask

stop the

despatched by

on

Burr's

be

of

Spain

of

Yrujo to

warn

or

clude
conwhile
mean-

of

who

the

when

posed
dis-

should

would

Governor

courier

much

part, that

Americans

him,

ripe

numbers

complete, he

friends

the

in

should

on

the

to

no

Louisiana,

boundaries, and

to

burdens

River,

ments
arma-

procured strong

which

be

should

the

could

Lower

be

must

added,

write

the

his

of

important

there

He

to

me

of

ready and
Kentucky was

of

trary
con-

circulate

to

which

men

and

most

party

regard

the

on

but

Mexico,

design

true

force

revolution

Spain

take

should

the

be

emancipation

this affair to the entire satisfaction

he

all

special

to

necessary

State

the

armed
the

control

as

the

Ohio, stood

and

to offer resistance.
soon

was

Upper

this is the

population, an
to

hide

that

as

the

assemblages

secret

for his

enough

that

; that

rumors

to

it

Tennessee

of

such

that

to

the

of

longer be kept

treat

Lexington,

was

attack

to

meant

limited

were

States,

rumor

he

believe

to

not

and

as

11.

part of the Colonel, that

the

on

me,

hear

was

Western

and

CH.

"

soon

his

the

this letter

of

Yrujo the assurance

with the undertaking ; but
charged to deliver seemed

was

also

"He

this

date

STATES.

to

gave

going well

that

UNITED

25."

De
was

THE

West
gate
navi-

explosion

couriers

Government

who

from

Orleans."

Burr's message

caused

officialsin Florida,Texas, and

Mexico

all the
that

"

Spanish
although

BURR'S

265

PREPARATIONS.

good faith hitherto,

if he had a
could not be depended upon
iis fidelity
in violatingit, and
that therefore
reater interest
To. 13

in

cautious

be

must

they

acted

have

to

seems

in

Yrujo

attack

Florida

on

De

After

he

and

ever,

visited New

had

spared
of any

success

York,

13

December

and
Philadelphia,

to

probably

Mexico.

or

Pestre

be

Pestre's mission

impossiblethe

render

to
-precaution

no

De

suspiciousthan

more

and

that would

vigilantin regard to events

happen in their neighborhood."

very

made

him

listeningto

he returned

again called

upon

Yrujo.
He

"

me," reported Yrujo,1

told

in

Swartwout

Mr.

Smith,

that

wish

Burr's

of

ship
Miranda's

him,
to

on

serve

for

their

vessel

to

two

make

keep

of

them

as

will

and
officers,
1

see

out

of

to

to

them,

observe

with

occurrence.

direct

as

friends

expresses

set

enlisted

quickest

ferent.
difand
of

movements

good disposition,
of

any

Three

go

to

to

Charleston

MSS.

soon

are

news

embarkation

of

possible

me,

the

provisions.

Dec. 16, 1806;

Yrujo to Cevallos,

as

as

told

chant
mer-

instructed

soon

of

the

out

youths

the
in

the

captain

he

the

informant

their

despatch
go

the

Likewise

set

three

or

despatch
some

should

Washington
to

Erwin, Colonel

of

colonel, that

seen

informed

captain of

was

Orleans.

had

had

Dr.

as

brother

These, my

dispositionor
to

who

he

he

Leander,' should

'

New

posts.

Government,
to

the

officers

as

Some

and

well

as

and

part of the

the

keenest, go

'

Emperor

possible for

as

he,

Captain Lewis,

and

whom

York,

New

that

"

to
of

Norfolk

good
take
the

tant
impornumber

command
numerous

Spanish Archives.

266

OF

HISTORY

recruits
South

Colonel

whom
Carolina.

there

The

could

Yrujo
So

far

make

then

raised

in

returned

with

embark

11.

have

embark

them

for

directlyfor

that

could

the feebleness

see

he

as

of the

knew, the story might

had

both forewarned

been

but feel uneasy

not

attack

sudden

will

will

rest

not

although he
he

will

has

CH.

York."

New

city from

and

and

STATES.

son-in-law

himself

He

Orleans.

New

Burr's

Kentucky,

from

UNITED

THE

West

on

acy.
conspirbe

true ;

lest Burr

Florida

armed,
fore-

and

should

Texas.

or

The

Spanish minister was able to protect Spanishinterests

if they were
attacked ; but he would
have
preferred
to prevent an
attack,and this could be done by the
United

States

President

government alone.

Jefferson

many

persons

wrote

Merry

here

should

the

intended

Burr's

to

Yrujo.
November,1
"

have

remained

design as

at this moment

the

which

they have

learned

would

have

still more

told

that

the

"

been

President

astounded

to

objectof
now

in

no

Government

ignorance of

know

with

tainty
cer-

the

preparations
making." Merry

astonished

by

astonishing,"

the

long
not

are

was

It is

that

so

even

indifference of

movements

besides
in

The

had

he

been

ignorant of

means

object;and Yrujo might well be perplexed to

taken no
that ignorant or not, the President had
see
for the defence of New
measure
Orleans,and that the
Burr's

time

had

The

citywas

small
1

passed

when

in Wilkinson's

gunboats which

Merry

any

to C. J

were

Fox, Nov.

could

measure

Even

hands.
meant

2, 1806

to

; MSS.

be

be

taken.

of the five
stationed

British Archives.

at

BURR'S

the

That

there.

at

saw

of

mouth

no

Kentucky.

New

chance

the

Burr

Orleans
of

2G7

PREPARATIONS.

Mississippi,

only

Wilkinson

and

was

checking

not

one

should

to

them

be

was

actually
ance
resist-

meet

imagined.
except

in

Yrujo
Ohio

and

CHAPTER

Burr

HAD

plan

of

November

and
he

force;

he

moment

Nashville

from

joinedby

he

reached

made

as

New

too

Orleans

delays,

many

October

Allston.

and

From

by difficulties and

beset

original
early as

Lexington, where

to

Blennerhassett
was

Ohio

the

patience of Ohio.

far the

too

returned

but

his

carrying out

passing the Falls of

15, he might have

tried

was

in

succeeded

all his

with

XII.

1
he

that

growing

opposition.
Government

Washington had not

moved, and Burr freelysaid that his militarypreparations
with
made
its knowledge and
for the
were
with
Spain ; but he had not
probable event of war
that these tactics might rouse
foreseen
against him
As

the

yet

the

class of

from

men

old

Marshall

at

their

Attorney, Joseph
left in

office

head.
H.

in

their

The

by Jefferson.

turn

would

least

to

reason

United

Daveiss,was

Republicans,so numerous
from
alienating them
they

had

respectablebody
existed, with
Humphrey

Kentucky

still

Federalists

he

whom

expect opposition.In
of

at

that

also

Burr's
the

States
a

District

Federalist,

admirers

President

were

shrank

by denouncing Burr,
not

desert

Burr

while

until

the

PAST

ESCAPE

jsident denounced
chance

The

Federalists

injuretheir opponents, and

to

early

As

him.

the

as

1787

year

269

MASSAC.

FORT

saw

used

Governor

here

it.

Miro, the

Spanishruler of Louisiana,tried to organizea party

in Kentucky for establishing
an
independent empire
under the protectionof Spain.
west of the Alleghanies
chief agent for that

His

The

failed ; but

and

who

governors
with

Wilkinson

some

change

America
much

Natchez

during the

next

succeeded

Miro

and
in

American

ten

popular support,
years the Spanish

maintained

relations

friends,always hoping
would
politics

bring

that
their

favor.

in 1798
at

came

lead of Jefferson

defy

his

no

son.1
Wilkin-

Godoy'spolicyof conciliation with

crossed these intrigues. His treaty of 1795
his delivery of
to neutralize them, but

projectinto
did

received

movement

James

was

purpose

the

United

did

more.

when

moment

and

The

settlement

Kentucky,

Breckenridge,seemed

States

of boundary

government,

and

under
about
when

the
to

the

celebrated

Kentucky Resolutions promised to draw the

Western
of Spain. Talleyrand's
peopleinto the arms
not more
acute
indignationat Godoy's conduct2 was
than the disgustfelt by the Spanish officials at New
Orleans.
The

Spanish intriguesamong
not wholly unknown
Kentucky were
in

that

Marshall
1
2

State;
and

and

Daveiss

as

time

obtained

the

Republicans of

to the Federalists

went

on,

evidence

Gayarrd'sLouisiana ; Spanish Domination, pp.

See Historyof First Administration, 24Q.
p.

Humphrey
warranting
192-199.

270

OF

HISTORY

assault

an

The
the

to

clannish

the

was

risks

of

be

of life and

and

in

personal revenge,

was

Daveiss

upon.

laid

and

12.

death

society so
not only

violence

counted

CH.

deeply implicated.1

most

matter

Spanish pensioners;
that of Kentucky,
as
to

STATES.

Republicans

attempt

feared,but

be

to

the

on

UNITED

THE

his

took

plans

accordingly.
Burr's appearance
Wilkinson's

company

attention

called

the

Ohio

and

at St. Louis

in

of 1805
during the summer
the old Spanish conspiracy,
and

the

As early
opportunityhe wanted.
Jan. 10, 1806, while
Burr
still struggling
was
as
his plot from
at Washington to save
collapsefor
of foreign aid, and while John
want
Randolph was
beginning his invectives in Congress, the districtthe President
to
a
private letter
attorney wrote
denouncing the old Spanish plot,and declaringthat
it was
still alive.2 "A
separationof the Union in
favor of Spain is the objectfinally. I know
not
the means."
what are
Assuming that Jefferson was
he had
appointed
ignorant of the facts,because
General
Wilkinson
Governor
of St. Louis,who,
as
I am
is,
convinced, has been for years, and now
a
pensioner of Spain," Daveiss asserted his own
knowledge, and contented himself with a general
warning;
gave

Daveiss

to

on

"

"

"

Marshall's

Daveiss

to

Historyof Kentucky, ii. 376-384.

Jefferson,Jan.

Conduct, by J. H.
177-179.

10, 1806;

Daveiss, 1807.

View

of the

Clark's

dent's
Presi-

Proofs,pp.

PAST

ESCAPE

plot

This

subject

the

is laid wider

to

imagine.

you

the

Western

Some

be.

may

271

MASSAC.

than

from

man

no

in office he

high

FORT

of

Mention

ever
country, howthem

deeply

are

I hate

of expression ;
duplicity
to be explicit,
not authorized
this subject I am
but on
will despatch some
fit person
You
is it necessary.
nor
into the Orleans
country to inquire."

this treason.

with

tainted

February
Burr's

to

10

Daveiss

At

him

The

Eaton.

only

for

the

air

path,and would

on

his

knees.

leave to

one

or

have

country would

his

naval

to

have

at

arrangements

annihilate

two

letters

the

word

spirators
con-

quietly

persons

in

Burr

short

Daniel

in

the

Orleans

would

have

rified
ter-

good behavior,and would

the conspiracy.
denounce

The

Clark

President

latin,Madison,

showed

take its advice, and

of
sources

October

did

to

Jefferson,Feb.

See p. 278.

but

he

have

to

Gal-

did

not

10, 1806

View,

randa
memo-

his

it among

February 15

Historyof Kentucky, ii.401.

2

letter

not, in his Cabinet

22,2 mention

of information.

Daveiss

Daveiss's

Dearborn

and

in

abjectly
militaryand

the Creoles into

made

the

Wilkinson

brought

New

spiracy.1
con-

these

stopped

slightchange

with

warning from
denunciations,waiting

popular contempt.

by Jefferson

Western

when

summer,

another

full of

President's

under
written

time

received

was

previous

Wilkinson

and

the

about
President

arrived,the

the

during

movements

charging both

and

again callingattention

wrote

he
etc.

many

wrote

to

Cf. Marshall's

272

HISTORY
l

Daveiss
the

OF

request

subject. No

Wilkinson

THE

STATES.

followed,nor

acts

knew

12.

on

either

was

surveillance.

under

put

CH.

all he

communicate

to

other

Burr

or

UXITED

Daveiss
what
wished; for if
Perhaps this was
much
Jefferson pursued his course
further,he was
certain to compromise himself in appearingto protect
Daveiss
not only continued
to
Burr
and Wilkinson.
write letter after letter denouncing Wilkinson
to the
or
ment;
acknowledgPresident,without receivinganswer
he not
a
journey to St. Louis in
only made
tucky
to Kenorder to collect evidence,and on his return
in July to the President that Burr's object
wrote
to cause
a revolt of the
was
Spanish provinces,
"

and

of all the

severance

the

from

he did not

he

in advance.

edited

newspaper,

could
was

for

that

means

afford
a

and

in 1801

inform

obligedto

hack,

Duane,
a

or
"

not
so

in

life.

worthless

quite so
vile

which

weekly

in character

poor

slight gain

some

written

so

ernment,"
gov-

the President

by

man

ritories
Ter-

one

step, of

new

established at Frankfort

risk

to

He

newspaper

Cheetham

also took

himself

think

form

to coalesce and

Union,

but

"

States and

Western

as

Historyof

notorietyhe
John

Wood

successful

Callender.
the

and

as

ing
Hav-

tration,"
last Adminis-

gettingfrom Colonel Burr, by working

upon his vanity,an offer to buy and suppress the book,
with
it was
probablyWood who furnished Cheetham
and
connived at Cheetthe details of the transaction,
after

Jefferson

Proofs,p. 179.

to

Daveiss,Feb.

15, 1806;

View,

etc.

Clark's

ESCAPE

1806.

ham's

PAST

of the

Narrative

"

273

MASSAC.

FORT

in
Suppression,"

order

give

to
"

Narrative
called
Cheetham's
to himself.
notoriety
in 1802 printed a
for a reply,and Wood
Correct
Both pamphlets were
Statement."
contemptible; but
Cheetham
was
supportedby the Clintons,while Wood
"

"

could
He

find

no

drifted

mountains

to

one

for

pay

his

Richmond, and
until, in the winter
to

literarywares.

thence

of

the

across

1805-1806,

he

fort,
of Frankunnoticed,into the village
dropped quietly,
in Kentucky. Humphrey Marshall
and District

Attorney Daveiss needed such a man.

ber
July 4, 1806, appeared at Frankfort the first numof the
Western
a
World,"
weekly newspaper
"

"

edited

by

John

Wood.

alarmed

and

World"

seemed

several

attempts

The

irritated

to

have

societyof Kentucky
find

that

the

was

Western

"

other

object for its

existence
than
to drag the old Spanish conspiracy
to light. Passions
were
soon
deeply stirred by the
with which
and vehemence
this pretended
persistency
Republicannewspaper clung to the subjectand cried
for an
had no
investigation.Wood
fancy for being
the objectof assassination,
made
but he was
given
a
Street; and while Wood
fightingcolleaguenamed
hid himself,Street defended
the office. In spiteof
the

"Western

October
founded
existence
men

in
VOL.

to

to

drive

no

Street away

or

kill

to

him,

World"

perseveredin its work, until

it publishedan
15
appeal to the people,
Blennerhassett's
on
Querist and on the
"

of

"

two
Spanish Association. Meanwhile
high position dreaded
Judge
exposure,
a

"

III.

"

18

274

HISTORY

Sebastian,of

Court

the

Judge Innis,of

of

United

the

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

CH.

12.

Appeals of Kentucky, and

States District

Court.

acy
right in thinking the Spanish conspirallied with Burr's conspiracy
of 1787-1798
closely
In strikingat Sebastian and Innis,he threw
of 1805.
of Burr's friends,
all of
into the ranks
consternation
Daveiss

whom

was

more

were

Adair, bolder

intrigue. Senator

defied

and

Wilkinson

by

less familiar

or

number

of Wilkinson's

Daveiss

gave

them
in

appearance

no

Kentucky

with

than

the

; but

exposure

the

Spanish

rest, stood
the

greater

accompliceswere
paralyzed.
Burr's
respite. In October
offered

chance

to

press

action
advantage. Jefferson's persistentsilence and infree to do
left the energeticdistrict-attorney
what
he liked ; and
nothing short of compromising

his

the

satisfied his ambition.

Administration

in Kentucky ;
of October
passed the month
far from
but his preparations
were
complete. The
in
delay was
probably due to the time consumed
At last Burr
paid
getting Blennerhassett's
money.
to Lynch the purchase-money of four or five thousand
dollars for Bastrop's grant. He had alreadyordered

Burr

the

construction

of boats

and

enlistment

of

men

at

at Marietta,
Ohio, and especially
Blennerhassett's island ; but he waited too longnear
the Cumberland, for
before beginning operationson

various

not

pointson

till November

the

3 did Andrew

dollars

in

buildingof

at Nashville

Burr, inclosingthree thousand

Kentucky bank-notes, with orders for the
five largeboats, the purchase of supplies,

letter from

receive

Jackson

ESCAPE

1806.

of

enlistment

the

and

promptly undertaken
time

could

than

Meanwhile

FORT

PAST

"

affairs

Burr's

foolish

foolish conversation

more

combined

Burr,

World,"
the

drew

island

alarmed,

became

he

could

not

of

the

to the

and

thought

and

return

important to

too

Allston

of Burr's address,she sent

at

alone

in

wrote

while

Kentucky,

it necessary

to the

and

Western

"

to

to

send

Burr

that

safety. Thinking

be trusted

the

armaments

Burr

20 she

with

State

the

Querist,"and

assaults

October

warning.

required more

Blennerhassett,left

with

was

was

Blennerhassett

attention

Mrs.

that

"

of both

the

much

so

her husband

them

with

of which

going ill in

were

Blennerhassett's

of Ohio.

all

recruits,

by Jackson, but
spared by Burr.

be

275

MASSAC.

post,and

the note

ignorant

her

gardener,Peter Taylor,
to Cincinnati,
with
horseback,through Chillicothe,

on

orders

Senator

ask

to

reached

Smith

Cincinnati

for the

October

address.

23, after

lor
Tay-

three

days

of

and went, accordingto his mistress's orders,

travel,
to Senator
Smith's house, which
in the
directly
was

buildingwith

same

and

his store,
"

The

contractor.

army

for Smith

was

senator

deeply compromised with Burr,

had begun to fail. At first he denied

of Burr
"

He

that

allowed

he

I must

be

No

this

said,

'

Blennerhassett.

or

knew

nothing

mistaken
was

In

the

; this

of

was

his

edge
knowl-

of

either
not

the
"

"

and

Taylor'swords,

right place,

Cincinnati.'
Smith, storekeeper,
took him
and
upstairs,
gave him,

ready
al-

was

too

courage

keeper
store-

In the
with

them

place.
Mr.

John

end, Smith

every

injunc-

276

OF

HISTORY

of

tion

letter to be

secrecy,

UNITED

THE

STATES.

delivered

CH.

12.

Burr

to

at

reached

Lexington October 25,

and candidlyadded :
found
Burr, delivered his letters,
If you come
way the peoplewill shoot you."
up our
The
following Monday, October 27, the gardener
with him,
started on his return, takingBlennerhassett
that
and leaving Burr at Lexington to face the storms
Lexington. Taylor

"

from

threatened

many

quarters at

once.

of returningto the island was

but
impossibility
from Senator Smith, who
one
warning ; another came
The letter he sent by Peter Taydreaded
lor,
exposure.
dated
October
23, affected ignorance of Burr's
demanded
an
explanationof them.
schemes, and
26 Burr
sent the required disavowal
:
October
The

"

"

44

greatlysurprised and

was

unusual

the

by

hasten

one,

any

harbored

never

did any

nor

the

well

for your

satisfaction

any

design

States, I

Eastern

the

from

it.

of

exists

or

said Burr,1

letter of

of your

it, as

to

there

If

Western

to

reply

to

own.

my

tenor

reallyhurt,"

ever

and

separate

I
as

the

totallyignorant

am

expressed

person

to

23d,

any

such

intimate

intention

such

design

to me."

From

persistedin
solemnly
Western
he

never

this

with

mind

own

Burr

denied

last

peculiarreservation.
was

the

intention

to

What

he

so

separate the

"by force" from the Eastern; what

ern
the plan of establishing
a Westdenied was
States

empire by
1

day of his life Burr

assertion,couplingit always in his
to the

that moment

to John

consent.

Smith, Oct. 26, 1806;

Senate

Eeport,p.

33.

ESCAPE

1806.

PAST

Burr

disunion

FORT

277

MASSAC.

speak. On
conscious
of having alreadysaid
that subjecthe was
his stay in Kentucky a matter
to make
of
as
so much
The
risk.
some
joiced
leading Republicans would have reat his departure; but to desert him
was
more
Of

their

than

allow.

would

tempers

again

never

opportunityto compromise
A

his

Nashville

at

Kentucky bank-notes
dollars,the United
session

November
and

to

Burr's

of the

United

District Court

States

eight and
Burr

Western
In

extended

States and

the

attack

scheme

foot

Burr

on

court

tary
mili-

affidavit
in court

of all the

Territories.

condition

nervous

revolution

in

violatingthe

by settingon

to

thousand

rose

for

with

opened its
fortyhours,

Besides an
expeditionagainst Mexico.
this effect,
the district-attorney
asserted

that Burr's

it.

Andrew

order,

of three

sum

complaint against

used

when

day

Within

and

Taylor left
letter in reply

Daveiss
5, District-Attorney

made

laws

States

another

saw

Peter

Burr's

received
for the

Frankfort.

at

Daveiss

and

Lexington,carryingwith them
to Senator
Smith, on the same
Jackson

to

enemies,

after Blennerhassett*

week

dared

roused

of

Kentucky society,this

great attention

and

hot

cism.
criti-

The

judge who presidedover the court was the

same
Harry Innis who had been privy to the Spanish
harassed
conspiracy,and was
by the charges of the
"Western

World."

upon

follow.
then

The

denied

the

course

Daveiss
which

judge took
the

motion

could
a

three

; but

man

so

days

Burr

with

count

to

tainty
cer-

placed would
reflect,and

could not

afford to

278

HISTORY

rest silent.

the motion

OF

8, when

November
and

UNITED

THE

the

denied

STATES.

Judge

12.

Innis overruled

Burr

process,

CH.

appeared

in

and

Wednesday,
challengedinquiry.The following
November
fixed for the investigation.
12, was
Burr
A
summoned.
rounded
grand-jurywas
appeared, surby friends,with Henry Clay for counsel, and
with strong popularsympathy in his favor.
Daveiss
list of witnesses
summoned
too appeared, with
a
;
in Indiana,and
chief witness was
absent
but the
Daveiss
asked a postponement.
The
charged;
disjury was
and
after a dignifiedand grave harangue
from
left the court in triumph.1
the accused, Burr
On the strength of this acquittalhe ventured
again
in Cincinnati,
November
to appear
23, in confidential
court

long impunity

Burr

held

Jefferson

to

soon

was

22, while

October

Smith

Senator

relations with

term

of his

end.

dent
Lexington,Presi-

at

was

Cabinet

the

; but

council

at

ington.
Wash-

then
Spaniards were
threateningan
force in
attack upon
Louisiana, while Wilkinson's
Orleans
the
Territories amounted
Mississippiand
and
eighty-onemen, with two
only to ten hundred
ferson,
gunboats. Memoranda, written at the time by JefThe

detailed

the

by the Government
"

who

During
was

the

situation
:

last

of

Marshall's

Cabinet

the

it

was

understood

2
"

Congress, Colonel
hope of being employed

session

here, finding no

department

as

of

government, opened

himself

in any

confiden-

Historyof Kentucky, ii.396.

Memoranda, Oct. 22, 1806

Burr

; Jefferson MSS.

ESCAPE

1806.

illyto

some

ily,on

PAST

States, which

had

does

made

this

General
went

He

excited

spring
his

on

State

Secretaryof

and

Mr.

Williams

of

Mr.

Tyler;

Colonel

and

Pittsburg;
the

that

the

Morgan,
We

newspapers.

confidential

district- attorney
have

to

for

treason,

the

act

and

try any

of

suspicious

Wilkinson
be

first in

of

arrested

like

other

also to order

some

going

tried

offence
to

manner

it proper

persons

mitting
com-

and

think

to

the

siana,
Loui-

his

acts

Adams

near

; to

committing

with

proposed

him

arrest

against
of

the

stop by force any passage

down

in

General

force.

account,

is

by

as

him

to
by Burr to Eaton
this design as
his lieutenant,
in Wilkinson
suspicionsof infidelity

become

now

what

in
and

command,

being

received

in

and

and

being expressly declared

engaged

this

Orleans

followers

to Fort

up

New

his

of

We

gunboats

to ;

amount

the

Governors

the

whatever

or

to

Roberts,

to

him

have

to

his

through other channels

of opinion unanimously

written

misdemeanor,

may

laws.

act,

Of

respecting a

Kentucky, of Tennessee,
strictlywatched, and on

him
overt

any

the

of

He

Nicholson

Nevill, and

be

from

come

York,

are

letters

has

New

citizens

having

country.
John

of

his

Granger.

from

Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi,and

of

or

State

other

to

Western

myself

those

motion

every

Mr.

information

way,

of

information

and

Ely

the

dent
indepen-

an

tour

could

from

Of

have

we

the

to

made

character.

Mr.

through

this

he

thought

suspicions, as

proposition here

movements

and

before

had

Catilinarian

Eaton

off

lie

separating the Western

erectingthe former into

confederacy.
such

whom

279

of

.tlantic States, and

of

MASSAC.

on

persons

scheme

FORT

proper

well

June

as

11

very
to

be

general,
done

to

as

for

his

disobedience

at

St.

Louis

to

question
him
of

descend

is
on

orders
with

280
all

HISTORY

practicaldespatch
command

take

to
did

Natchitoches,

at

till

12.

the

out

then

which

on

CH.

mark

to

there, and

works

St. Louis

leave

not

STATES.

Orleans

New

to

defensive

certain

site of

UNITED

THE

OF

repair

business

he

Consideration

September.

adjourned.
"

land

by

by

or

force

of the

the

New

from

consultation

be

powers

to

arrest

Burr

commission

by post

to

Although
against the
not

posts

our

future

these
chance
fail

to

Mr.

if

on

Smith
that

us;

shall

the

Preble
have

be

sent

Governors

liable.

the
on

He

vessels

Wilkinson

to

are

Governor
their

by

discretionary

the

Letters

or

and

to

is to have

[Upper] Louisiana,

to be

Freeman

General

to

departure, for

could

of

Claiborne,

Governor

surpriseof
as

Governor

Colonel

and

any

of

himself

made

'

Claiborne,

with
confidentially
has

command

Norfolk, and

trail, with

is to be removed.

Browne

Dr.

and

for

Orleans,

Argus

'

Graham

; that

call

to

there,

Governor

Burr's

on

consult
if he

ordered

to enable

found

great discretionarypowers

through Kentucky

the
from

Gallatin

with

consultation

on

be

Mr.

to take

that

York, three
shall

between

appropriations shall
shall,

and

water,

Charleston

from

two

they please,there

as

sea
on

gunboats

two

agreed unanimously
to repair to New
Decatur

and

Preble

Captain

is

It

24.

October

and

be written
of

sippi,
Missis-

guard against

him.

postponed

The

tion
ques-

till Treble's

information."

of

Wilkinson's

put

protection
misconduct, they

provided no

measures

an

instant

stop

to

Burr's

out.
to carry them
was
activity.All that remained
and
Unfortunately Gallatin found that his hands
Smith
tied by Acts of Congress.
those of Robert
were

The

next

day the Cabinet

met

again.

ESCAPE

1806.

and

any

movements

of

the

officers

the

of

determination
the

marines
the

send

to

which

garrison

New

operations ; and
etc.,

send

we

written

Graham

be

of

result
October

of

with

that

to

John

to

stop in

Argus,'

send

off

take

or

the

place of,
to

Spanish

route, with

confidential

movements,

on

provide

to

himself

Letters
and

the

put

the

for

his

ment
govern-

still to

are

be

Governor

the

of

guard."

Cabinet

discussion,extending
25, was
merely an order

October

and

"

the

Governors,

guard,
take

rescind

the

to

Graham, Secretaryof the

Ohio

committing

view

of

the

Burr's

to

members
is

to

writing

their

their

to

he

reinforce, or

into

this

22

the

them

Louisiana.

on

of

therefore

Claiborne, Freeman,

Mississippito

from

silence

of

on

and

[Upper]
to

The

total

We

to

instead

if necessary,
of

This

Orleans,

authority to inquire
Governors, etc., on
arrest

Burr.

Treble, Decatur,

here

are

at

quarter

proves

instead

and

gunboats,

that

newspapers,

law.

the

from

government,

against

act

overt

no

the

from

yesterday

is heard

Colonel

by

281

MASSAC.

arrived

word

one

of

FORT

mail

not

of

Congress,

25.

''October

westward,

PAST

Kentucky

on

Orleans

Territory,

his

westward

way

and

inquire into Burr's movements,

Graham, followingorders received

reached
when

Marietta

Burr

the

about

should

have

from

Madison,
of November,

middle

alreadybegun

his increment,

according to the originalplan. Blennerhassett,who

had
in
and

been
the

told

by

Burr

plot, welcomed

talked much
which

more

crowded

that

Graham

him

with

concerned

was

great cordiality,

freelythan wisely.
on

Graham

at

The

mation
infor-

Marietta

led

282

HISTORY

him

to

OF

at

go

THE

end

the

UNITED

of

STATES.

November

CH.

12.

Chilli cothe,

to

in session,
and where
he
Legislaturewas
caused
law to be passed,December
a
2, empowering
the militia against the conspirathe governor
to use
tors.
Had
this measure,
or
one
equally energetic,
taken
been
it
by the President three months
earlier,
would
have
put an end to Burr's projectsbefore they
where

the

under

were

from

would

ruin,and
New

at

quite

would

way,

Orleans

but

saved

have

prevented

deluded

many

Graham's

much

men

trouble
was

not

it should

have

progress

though late,as

rapid,even

so

have

been.
Burr

had

ample warning.

Attorney Daveiss renewed

Frankfort, and the court
the

November

his

and

from

exacted

District-

in

court

appointed December

day for hearing evidence.

uneasy,

motion

25

Henry Clay

Burr

written

at

as

became

denial

of

the

dence
projectsimputed to him. Fortified with this evito his own
credulity,
Clay again went into court
with Burr, for whose honor and innocence,"he said,
he could pledge his own," and assailed the districtof outraged virtue
attorney. A second time the scene
"

"

was

acted.

"

Smith

Once

the witnesses

more

saddled

his horse

and

vanished.
fled ; Adair

ator
Senwould

judge lent his weight to the

criminal.
5 the grand-jury
To crown
all,December
of twenty-two persons
signed a paper declaringthat
to
they could discover nothing improper or injurious

not

appear

the interests
conduct

the

and

of the

of Burr

United

and

Adair.

States government
Burr

was

in the

discharged,

PAST

ESCAPE

1806.

character; and
Frankfort
Nov.

to

25, 1806,

was

date

his second

made

motion

be

to

story of Burr's adventures.

the

283

AC.

ball in liis honor.1

gave

MASS

applause,without a stain on his

prove its devotion,the society of

enthusiastic

with

FORT

On

in court

remembered

in

that

day Daveiss
Frankfort, while

at

at length woke
to
Washington the Government
action.
An officer,
bringingdespatchesfrom General
Wilkinson
at Natchitoches,
presented himself at the
White
with news
House
so
startlingthat Jefferson
immediately called his Cabinet together. Another
memorandum
in the President's handwritingrecorded
at

the action taken

November

"

department

"

25.
but

unwell.

Smith)

Present

after

show

21, by
that

which

decide

is

expeditionby

an

the

that

the

of

that

late

the

are

through

whom

We

be
:

To

the

had

overtures

been

at

have

been

issued

(see it),and
Pittsburg,if we have

Marietta,
1

Mr.

National

Gallatin

that
a

is

paring
com-

to the

brother

Wilkinson's

been
to
"

orders

the

write

Jan. 12, 1807.

Intelligencer,

agent

Wilkinson.
that

to

lamation
proc-

as

go

militaryofficer
to

him

Lieutenant

York,

made

followingdeterminations,

by

Meade

from

has

to

combination

General

Swartwout

to

ant
(Lieuten-

; and

New

from

drew,
with-

made

Cruz

information

Swartwout

satisfied that

to the

came

officer

Cowles

letter from

of

Wilkinson

been

have

heads

Dearborn

confidential

four

General

from

against Vera

sea

marshal,

we

camp,

Mr.

General

overtures

Secretaryof State, with

Smith

first the

present object of the

of

contents

at

while

Despatches

October

of

myself

lows
fol-

there ;

the

col-

284

HISTORY

lector

Tiffin,

be the

to

the

General

and

general

river;

UNITED

Dearborn

to

write

of

the

brigade
;

Captain

to

to stop armed
particularly
grounds to be proceedingon

fitted for

General
armed

force

Wilkinson

he thinks

as

attempt

of

in

with

camp

This

addition

direct

the

procure

ChickaNew

station
with

arrangements

States.

his

to

for this

can

Bissell

him

good

on

leans,
Orof

the

dispose

the

iards
Spanof

his

to

United

(He

and

camp

view

to

General

by

to

Wilkinson

suspected

propagate

is made

is also to

proposing

enterprise,and

such

any

tenor,

same

prevent any such expedition or

tary
Orleans, or any of the posts or mili-

best

the

coming

persons

he

to

born
Dear-

their passage;
to

of

to write

suspected

boats

withdraw, let

to

New

on

Dearborn

enterprise,and

as

to

if the

permit him

stores

in

orders

Virginia side

Bissell of the

any

12.

Governor

to

Massac, General

arrest

to

same

vessels ; and
will

any

him

enabling

Bluffs, give

saw

the

on

this

readiness

in

have

CH.

Jackson, supposed

vessels

and

to

write

to

General

to

Kentucky

of

give orders

purpose

STATES.

Louisville, General

the Governor
to

THE

OF

such

arrest

rence
concur-

of

being

propositions.

Dearborn

with

my

"

approbation.)
The
"

orders

You

will

use

said,1
"

every

enterprisewhich
any
of the

exertion

frustrate

to

has

hostile act

effectually
prevent any
rectly,
its object,
directlyor indi-

on

part

any
on

any

King of Spain." Persons

or
militarycamps
posts, with

the

Dearborn

to

Wilkinson, Nov.

Feb. 26, 1811; 3 Sess. 11

born
power," Dear-

in your

and

for

States,or

United

instantlysent.

were

of the

of the

found

in

evident

territories

territories of
or

about

the

intention

tee,
27, 1806; Keport of Commit-

Cong.

p. 408.

of

FORT

PAST

ESCAPE

1806.

MASSAC.

285

be

arrested,and

to
sounding officers or soldiers,were
to martial
if not amenable
law, were

civil authorities.

to the

over

orders

The

on

that

Burr's

Cruz

against Vera
the

of

tenor

President's
A

that

report.

directed

be

contrary to
from

should

thought
Wilkinson

nothing

his

information

moment's

President

satisfied the

expedition could
unreasonable,and

power

the confidence

Yet

faith.

good

suspiciousthan

more

was

the

sources.1

other

in his
be

the

of Wilkinson, and

hands

its face

idea

The

chieflyfor

remarkable

were

they trusted in the

they showed
could

delivered

be

to

all
have

deceiving

was

Orleans
be the
must
city of New
letters
real point of danger. In truth, Wilkinson's
ing
alarmthan they told,and were
more
suppressedmore
of Daveiss; for
the warnings of Eaton
than
or

him,

the

that

and

they proved that

No

was

playing a double part.

promised safety could be taken

kinson
instant removal
of Wilnot require an
a
vigorous support of Claiborne at New
that

measure

would

which

Wilkinson

and

Orleans.

27, 1806, the

Nov.

proclamation

the

Burr's

the

laws

; it warned

from

was

it

with

issued.2
announced

Dearborn's
Without
that

ter,
lettioning
men-

sundry

conspiringagainst Spain, contrary

were

persons

name,

day

same

such

See

Proclamation

Cabinet

Appendix, xcvii.

conspiracy; and

Memoranda
of Nov.

of October

27, 1806;

draw
to with-

whatsoever

all persons

to

it directed

all offi-

22, p. 278.
Wilkinson's

Memoirs,

ii.

286

HISTORY

OF

cers, civil and

and

THE

of
military,

all persons

detain

UNITED

the

and

STATES.

United

property

CH.

12.

States to seize
concerned

in the

enterprise.
The

last chance

they could

of
the

enter

before
stopping the conspirators
was
Mississippi

at

Fort

Massac.

Beyond that point they could not easilybe molested

until they should reach a country more
friendlythan
Ohio
dent
or
Kentucky to their purposes ; but the Presithat his proclamation
had
to suppose
reason
in ample time
to stop the conspirators
while
came
still on the Ohio River.
they were
of Ohio, without
Governor
The
waiting for the
Graham's
quest,
reproclamation,acted promptly. On
law was
the necessary
passed, and measures
were

taken

boats

and

seize

to

supplieswere

Blennerhassett's
about

take

to

Burr's

boats

Marietta.

brought by Burr's

island ; but

findingthat

possessionof

with
conspirators,

at

the

Blennerhassett

in

their

10-11, fled
midnight of December
river, a half-dozen ill-fitted boats, with
and
passed the Falls of
forty men,
at

"

"

at

the

about

time

when

Burr

and

Adair

to

men

militia

island

The

were

itself,the
company,
down

the

thirty or
the

Ohio

entered

Nashville.
ber
Graham, leavingOhio, reached Kentucky Decemand
the Governor
Legislature,
22, and induced
December
24, to follow the example of Ohio ; but he
Chillicothe and Frankfort,
lost much
time
between
so

that

even

and

tucky,
driving Burr from Ohio to Kenfrom Kentucky to Tennessee, the quickest

after

287

MASSAC.

FORT

PAST

ESCAPE

1806.

pursuitcould not prevent the conspiratorsfrom taking

Graham
in Ohio
the Cumberland.
their path down
though
heard
nothing of Burr's doings in Tennessee, alAnderson

Patton

for recruits,and

Nashville

of his intimates

secrecy

their movements
and

Burr

Adair

the

went

became

friend

country

raised

had

Burr

As

men.
seventy-five

and

scouring

was

close

Jackson's

November

since

round

company

farther

of

South, the

closelyguarded,

more

obscure.

more

Nashville

reached

December

14,

their boats
directlyto the river,where
well trained
were
building. By that time Burr was
often
so
in the comedy he had within the last month
played. Senator Smith of Ohio began it October 23,
by writing the request that Burr's design should be
and

went

Smith
had
fears that
"candidly disclosed,"because
of the country.
it might interrupt the tranquillity
the same
later Henry Clay made
A month
request.
his
reach
Clover Bottom, where
did Burr
No sooner
boats
than

buildingunder

were

he

found

himself

formula.

Andrew

Jackson's

required to repeat

Jackson,

in

company

with

charge,

the

iar
famil-

General

appeared at Clover
Bottom, and intimated as plainlyas had been done by
credit reJohn
Smith
quired
and Henry Clay that his own
of designs against the Union.
disavowal
a
plied
Burr,with his usual dignifiedcourtesy,instantlycomhis denials were
accepted as satisfactory
; and
by Jackson.
On Jackson's part this conduct
surwas
peculiarly
Overton

as

his

witness, soon

288

prising,because
written

of Burr

which

language

of Burr's

himself

In

denunciatory letter
the

he

satisfied to

was

written

to

he

did

the secret

his

write

charges,went

supplies,and

to
on

enlistingmen

Orleans

knowledge

only from

Burr

disavowals,
to Burr

mention

his

Claiborne,November

safety;

own

and

upon

schemes, Jackson,
Claiborne

to

though
al-

withdraw

buildingboats,providing
for

Burr's

Colonel

for this conduct

motives

His

had

come
treachery has beday." Like Senator Smith,

secure

not

he

12.

I fear

"

said,

treasonable

of

denial

Burr's

not

of the

order

New

intimate
come

did

had

he

12, in which

before

accepting Burr's

14, Jackson

December

have

at

CH.

Wilkinson, couched

such

could

Adair.

or

and

showed

plans as

STATES.

month

Claiborne

denunciation

secret
in

than

more

Governor

to

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

remained

pedition.
ex-

his

in
Many of the best-informed
persons
and
Tennessee
Kentucky, including Burr's avowed
acter
partisans,held but a low opinion of Jackson's charJackson
or
veracity. Eight years afterward
Adair once
and John
more
appeared on the stage of
New
Orleans
history,and quarrelled,with charges
and
insinuations of
and countercharges of falsehood
secret.

own

treason.
"

Whatever

troops
1

of

in

Adair

wrote

at that

Jackson

the

were

to

published letter,2

time,

"

nor

did I

Claiborne,Nov.

Congress,1807-1808,
2

of

intentions

Colonel

I neither

organized

superintend the building of

12, 1806; Burr's Trial.

p. 571.

Letters of General Adair

and

Burr,"

General Jackson, 1817.

Annals

ESCAPE

1806.

for him

boats

friends

to my

failure

his

what

time

that

289

MASSAC.

State

or

the

letters

did I think

nor

known,
universally

was

by turning informer

By

FORT

did I write confidential

; nor

him
after

PAST

mending
recom-

it necessary,

to

myself

save

witness."

people

of

Nashville

had

heard

doing in Ohio and Kentucky. The public

checked
enlistments
impeachment of the conspirators
and retarded purchases; but Burr
seemed
to fear no
such
personal danger as had prevented his return
was

to Blennerhassett's

of

Ohio

island.

had

The

taken

Governor

lature
Legis-

and

public measures

seize

to

boats and

2 ; Burr had
suppliesas earlyas December
been
driven from
Kentucky, and Blennerhassett had
fled from
his island,by December
11 ; but ten days
later Burr was
still fitting
out his boats at Nashville,
undisturbed
December
by the people of Tennessee.
19 the President's proclamation reached
Nashville,1
but still nothing was
done.
At
a

last

secret

take

warning

notice

of

could

Burr

made

be

seized,and

he should
19

and

that

he

Graham

that he

was

himself

in.

"

; but

undisturbed.

was

expected

19

to

his movements;
all
1

must

soon

authorities

that his boats

was

probablydecided
abandoned
hastily
VOL.

understand

immediatelyescape

22

The

to Burr

at

longer delay interference,and

no

to

brought

the State authorities

that

his armaments.

Nashville
was

friend

unmentioned

some

except

Partou's

two

in

danger

between

would
unless

December

The

announcement

arrive

December

23

the

he

for

on

of his

Burr, ii. 87.

22d

boats,receiv-

290

ing back from

five dollars
for
that

dollars

floated

the

uncle

with

borne,

"

and

to

Burr

days after

stop

him

York

Burr

then

Governor

to

Clai-

more

previous

to
letter,

secret

every

Fort

First

of the

seize

should

who

one

escaped from
President's

Government

before
and
and

Cumberland,

past

to

ernor
singularbecause Govunder
the warnings
hardlyfail,

and

news

The

arrived.

Blennerhassett
the

New

hindrance

Thus, by connivance, Burr

had

from

him

be

in his company.

found

three

declared

River, taking with

Jackson, furnished by his

the

could

Jackson's

imprison

other articles

induced

returned

Mrs.

confidence

General

had

letter of introduction

Claiborne

twenty-

Cumberland

of

nephew

12.

loss of five hundred

further

and

afterward

Burr

was

CH.

and

boats

two

end

which

Without

down

hundred

Jackson

the

which

protested.

of

in

STATES.

seventeen

voyage.1
note

by a
indorse, and

UNITED

taking the

suffered

he

him

Jackson

and

his

THE

OF

HISTORY

had

two

proclamation

then

Tyler
down

move

Massac, garrisoned by

Infantry, commanded

He

at

by

a
a

chances

more

reaching Natchez.
Comfort

Nashville

the

join

must

mouth

the Ohio

of

River
of the

company

Captain Bissell.

Having passed Massac, he must still run the gauntlet

at Chickasaw
Bluff,afterward called Memphis, where
another

stationed.
military post was
sent
orders, November
27,

commanding
on

their

Massac

at

and

Chickasaw

guard.
1

Parton's

Jackson,i. 322.

The
to

partmen
De-

War

the

Bluff

officers
to

be

PAST

ESCAPE

1806.

22

December
the

about

left Nashville, while

Burr
time

same

291

MASSAC.

FORT

for New

started

Adair

at

Orleans

on

through the Indian country. At the mouth

who
Cumberland, Burr joined Blennerhassett,

horseback
of the

with

had

the

him

the

militia.

Ohio

thirteen
and
in

as
cases

as

cargo.

had

The

boats, which

succeeded

the

tained
con-

stowed

being

arms

caping
es-

sixty men

some

25 Burr

December

in

flotilla

combined
carried

of arms,

stand

many

which

boats

sent

note

to

reach
Captain Bissell announcing that he should soon
Fort Massac
his way
on
South, and should stop to

respects. Bissell had

his

pay

President's

proclamation

Secretaryof
sent

cordial

of December
about

Bissell went
to

Colonel
and

days"for

As

welcome

to

below.
in

his

the

orders

friend

old

neither
from

of

party. In the

next
boat

to

the

the

Burr, he

passed the fort,and

The
own

the

nor

an

29 the boats

mile

War.

received

night
landed

morning

Captain

his

respects

pay

Burr, who declined invitations

dinner, but asked a furlough

to

of

fast
break-

twenty

Sergeant Dunbaugh, who had been persuaded

lough
to join the expedition. Bissell gave the furDecember
started
31, and Burr's party at once
for the Mississippi.Five
days afterward, January
5, Bissell received a letter,dated January 2, from
Andrew
Jackson, as Major-General of Tennessee
to
militia,warning him
stop any body of men
who
might attempt to pass, if they should appear to
have
The
President's
illegalenterprisesin view.
proclamation had not yet reached Fort Massac, nor
a

292

THE

OF

HISTORY

STATES.

UNITED

CH.

12.

Captain Bissell received any instructions from

Washington.1
The
27, and sent
proclamation,dated November
ber
immediately to the West, reached PittsburgDecem2,2and should, with ordinaryhaste,have reached
the
most
Fort
Massac
important point between
had

"

Pittsburgand
any

it

15.

December

before

ought

to have

The

prevented

understanding on the part of Captain

BisselPs reply to Jackson, dated January 5,

failure of

Bissell.
reached

Nashville

Jackson

to

message

had

January 8, and

dated

been

was

forwarded

by

Congress with a
January 28. Twenty-threedays were
the unimportant reply; forty days or
taken for the orders to reach Massac,

who
Jefferson,

sufficient for
more

"

accompanied

which

orders

Natchez

sent

it to

althoughthey had only to float down the river. That

could alone explain
some
gross negligence or connivance
evident ; but the subject
this shortcoming was
never
was
by President
thought to need investigation
for Burr's escape was
or Congress. The
responsibility
the President himself,
so
equallydistributed between
the War
Department, and the many
accomplicesor
dupes of Burr in Kentucky and Tennessee,that any
must
have led to unpleasantresults.
investigation
Burr
for
the moment
escaped, and
everything
depended on the action of Wilkinson.
Dayton and
1

Bissell to

Andrew

1806-1807, p.
2

of

Jefferson to

Jackson, Jan. 5, 1807; Annals

gress,
of Con-

1017.

Wilkinson, Jan. 3, 1807; Burr's Trial.

Congress,1807-1808,

p. 580.

Annals

conspiratorswho

other

the

States

thought

it

him

by the people and the

shown

Kentucky proved
if the

Burr, and

be

to

Eastern

consequence

party of sixtymen

the

unexpected energy
of Ohio and
legislatures
tionize
revolutrue

were

should

Orleans

welcome

the rebellion.

blockade

and slow
was
no
Mississippi
easy affair,
results ; England, France, and
Spain might

of the

much

to

to

the Government

whether

seen

crush

Washington could

small

if Wilkinson

cityof New

him, it remained

in the

of attempting to
futility

the

States ; but

those

at

of

Doubtless

of six hundred.

or

with

293

MASSAC.

remained

matter

carried

Burr

whether

FORT

PAST

ESCAPE

1806.

in its
have

say.
Marshall
and
Humphrey
enjoyed the triumph they had

Meanwhile
Daveiss

his

friend
In

won.

ers,
spiteof silent oppositionfrom the Republican leadinto an
Marshall drove the Kentucky Legislature

inquiryas
Sebastian

to

truth

the

was

resigned.
of

the

charge that Judge

Spanish pensioner.

this admission

of

The

committee

guilt,but

Sebastian

took

no

summoned

stantly
in-

notice

of

Innis

Judge

testify. Very reluctantlyInnis appeared before

the committee
and
began his evidence, but broke
to

down
had

in the
been

Daveiss
the

alleged.1 Before

and

Marshall

State,forced
Innis, and

Eeportof

the

truth

the

close

of

Burr

and

Adair

from

the

attempt, and admitted

Sebastian
threw

the Select

Dec. 2, 1806; National

drove

ridicule upon

Committee

to the

of what
the

year

out

of

iated
bench, humilyoung

Henry

Kentucky Legislature,

Jan. 7, 1807.
Intelligencer,

294

HISTORY

and

Clay

in

Of

all

capacity

Daveiss

to

to

could

of

such
another

office

of

plan

of

plan

nature.

person

district"attorney.

feel

to

to

few

story

the

but

satisfaction
months

succeed

of

Burr's

showed

and

of

creditable.

alone
action

Jefferson,

nor

the

conceived

they

expected

be

not

with

12.

Secretary

his

dignified

Marshall

and

conceive
the

execute

and

connected

persons

expedition,

himself

CH.

of

partisans

neither

attitude

an

the

aggressive

Jefferson

placing

STATES.

UNITED

THE

other

the

besides

State

OF

the

courage

Jefferson
with

later
Daveiss

vices
ser-

he
in

pointed
ap-

the

XIII.

CHAPTER

SAMUEL

and

SWARTWOUT

Peter

V.

Ogden,

the young

Dayton charged with the duty

of carrying despatchesto Louisiana, crossed the Alleghanies in August and floated down the Ohio River
There
to Louisville.1
they stopped to find Adair,
After
for whom
they brought letters from Burr.
search
Swartwout
delivered the letters,and
some
whom

len

continued
the

his

the

and

Adair

journey.
of

contents

contained
in

Burr

the

these

same

made

never

they probably

but

papers;

information

as

conveyed

was

which

despatches to Wilkinson

known

in their

came

company.
to be at St. Louis, the two
Supposing Wilkinson
the Indiana
men
bought horses and rode across
young
Territoryto Kaskaskias ; but findingthat the General
had gone
down
the Mississippi,
they took boat and
followed.
At Natchez
they learned that the objectof

their search

had

gone

obligedto follow

was

Orleans
that
1

with

up
him

the

Red

; but

despatches from

Swartwout

River.

Ogden
Burr

to

went

to

New

his friends in

city.
Wilkinson's

1807-1808, p.

Evidence,
515.

Burr's

Trial; Annals

of

Congress,

296

HISTORY

OF

the
Orleans.

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

mysteries that still surround

the

Among

THE

deepest

That

he

Burr's

covers

spiracy,
con-

relations in New

confederates

had

the

13.

in the

city was
but also
proved not only by Ogden's carrying letters,
arrival by sea, as early as September
by Erick Bollman's
27, with a duplicateof Burr's letter of July
29

Wilkinson

to

and

all,by the

above

disappearanceof Burr's letters

Bollman

to

implicatedproved

their

New

of these

Orleans.

Daniel

Clark

obliged Burr
confide

in

to

about
in

Ohio, the

hastened

every

one

whom

of

same

fact;1

the

which

reasons

required him to
whoever
of the letters,

to

make

they

their
could

any

of New

serious

Orleans

and

alarm
rang

contents

trust.

arrival of Bollman

1, before

town

Wilkinson

receivers

were,

October

had

in Wilkinson

The

after the

Jefferson

the

evidence,the

to confide

Clark.

they
known

assured

this

certainly

Territoryof Orleans.
another
hardly admits of

was

Swartwout

apart from

but

persons

almost

stepson, whom

appointed District Judge for

doubt.

The

and

complicityby keeping Burr's

correspondentswas

Judge Prevost,Burr's
That

by Ogden

his secret.

letters and
One

in

persons

carried

significant

mediatel
Im-

Dayton

had

with

risen
rumors

excited more
nation
consterprojects.The news
than
hope ; for although the Creoles had been
and
bitter in complaints of Claiborne's administration
them
of the despotism imposed upon
by Congress,
of Burr's

Wilkinson

p. 154.

to

Daniel

Clark, Oct. 5, 1807;

Clark's

Proofs,

their

they remembered
far from

were

the

than

adherents

Governor

theless,
Never-

safetyagain.
bad

people was
to

1768, and

to revolt in

attempt

deeper anxiety as

felt

297

WILKINSON.

to risk their

eager

temper of

the
one

AND

CLAIBORNE

1806.

the

; and

no

of Burr's

number

himself.

Claiborne

Nearly three years had elapsedsince

surrendered
the Spanish governor
when
historyof

20, 1803,

Dec.

Louisiana

to

ing
Territorydurthat time presented an
uninterrupted succession
of bickerings.
(The government at Washington was
unpopularityin the
largely responsiblefor its own
ing
new
Territory,its foreignand domestic policyseemand after creating
calculated to create ill-feeling,
it,to keep it alive. The President began by appointing
the United

States,and

Governor

as

the

of Louisiana

man

the

who

had

liar
pecu-

no

fitness for the

place. Claiborne,in contrast with

like Wilkinson, Burr, and Daniel Clark,rose
to
men
He
the level of a hero.
was
honest,well-meaning,
and thoroughly patriotic
straightforward,
; but these
virtues were
him
either feared
not enough to make
he was
whom
to exor
ercise
respectedby the people over
despotic powers ; while Claiborne's military
colleague,Wilkinson, possessed fewer virtues and
The
French
feebler character.
a
Prefect,Laussat,
who

remained

French

Laussat

Archives

time

in
his

interestingaccount

French
1

interests,wrote

1804, an
by

for

de

eyes

New

Orleans

to

Government
of the

situation

protect

April 8,
as

seen

Decres, 18 Germinal, An xii. (April 8, 1804);

la Marine, MSS.
Gayarre"sLouisiana,iii.10.
to

298

HISTORY

"It

that

UNITED

THE

States

should

it should

made

have

have

sent

two

and

Wilkinson,

affection.

The

first,with estimable

capacity and

beneath
in

his

bad

Neither

the

place ;
is

way,

the

one

nor

the

or

without

delicacy,shocked

Spanish.
of the

Claiborne

has
privatequalities,

is

and

extremely

hundred

other

the

often

impertinent follies.

understands

have

They

fellow,

here

all

on

word

of

occasions, and

habits,the prejudices,the

population."
his sway,

began

assuming that the

Creoles

must

The

refined and

of

attract

kindly but ignorant and degraded people,who

be taught the blessings of American
society.
themselves
to be more
Creoles,who considered

were

were

fit to

second, alreadylong known

French

character

less

awkwardness,

the

beginning,and
(Messrs. Claiborne,

flighty,rattle-headed

of

13.

worse

general)

committed

has

drunk, who

much

CH.

government

men

governor,

little

STATES.

the

hardly possible that

was

United

OF

civilized than
them

Their

anger

Americans

who

scended
de-

from

Kentucky and Tennessee,

not pleased that their language,blood,and customs
should
be systematically
degraded,in defiance
the treaty of cession had been
the spiritin which

made.

upon

the

danger. England

and

not

was

France

without

an

element

of

could

safelydefy public
Their empire
prostrateraces.

opinion and trampleon

rested on
force,but that

of Jefferson

rested

on

sent
con-

peopleof New Orleans should rebel,

pense,
they could not be conquered without trouble and exwhich
without
or
violatingthe free principles
Jefferson was
supposed to represent.
; and

The

if the

colonists

in Louisiana

had

been

for

century

CLAIBORNE

1806.

and

Americans

the

when

American
while

law, abolish

judges

he himself
an

their

; and

Claiborne,who

they saw

society and

even

299

WILKINSON.

spoiledchildren of France and Spain. Petted,protected,

and given every libertyexcept
fed, paid,flattered,
the rightsof self-government,
they liked Spain1
loved France, but they did not love the English

the

or

AND

who

sat

attorney to

as

knew

their

knew
a

irritation

court

advise

him

was

extreme

nothing of

their

language, establish

only

American

law,

of last resort, without

as

to the

meaning of

time
At the same
Spanish law he administered.
that as judge he could
intendas
hang his subjects,
he
could
tax
ant he could
them, and as governor
Even
the Spanish desshoot the disobedient.
under
potism,
Madrid
or
appeal might be made to Havana
;
but no appeal lay from Claiborne's judgment-seat.
Before this temporary system was
superseded,the
Creoles already yearned for a return
to French
or
Spanish rule.
They had but one
hope from the
of the treaty,
United
States, that, in the terms
Louisiana might be quickly admitted
into the Union.
gress
This hope was
rudely dispelled.Not only did Condiffere
into self-government with
treat their claims
divided in halves,so
but the Territory
was
that it must
be slower to acquire the necessary
lation
popufor a State ; while
as
though to delay still
the growth of population
longer this act of justice,
checked
was
by prohibitingthe slave-trade. Years
could gain admission
must
into
pass before Louisiana
the

"

Gayarre,Spanish Domination,

p. 627.

300

HISTORY

the

Union

must

be

the

OF

and

THE

even

UNITED

when

STATES.

this

result of American

CH.

13.

should

happen, it
expansion at Creole

expense.

Jefferson's

which
Spanish policy,

on

the

the French

and

always
their

submission

the United
than
in

kept the country

with
of a war
Spain,prevented
verge
Spanish population from feelingthat

States and

to drive

the

was

Claiborne

government.

confronted

by

control

understand.

an

final.

In

case

of

war

between

Spain,nothing would be
and replaceCasa
away
Claiborne

oppositionwhich
Even

found

soon

the

he

could

easier
Calvo

himself
neither

leadingAmericans
joined it. Daniel Clark, rich,eccentric,wild in his
talk and
restless in his movements,
distinguished
himself by the personalhatred which
he showed
for
Claiborne ; Evan
Jones, another wealthy resident,
who
had come
rivalled Clark ; Edward
to
Livingston,
New
Orleans angry with Jefferson for removing him
from office,
as
a defaulter
joinedthe old residents in
harassingthe Governor ; while the former Spanish
Casa Calvo and
at New
officials,
Morales, remained
another
under
Orleans
one
or
pretext, keeping the
tions
Spanish influence alive,and maintaining communicaFolch of West
with Governor
trolled
Florida,who conthe
Mississippiat Baton
Rouge, and with
the Spanish force
General
Herrera, who commanded
the state of feelingthat when
So bad was
in Texas.
Oct. 1,1804, the new
territorial system was
organized,
Messrs. Bore, Bellechasse,
Cantrelle,
Jones,and Daniel.
had named
of
the President
members
as
Clark, whom
nor

AND

CLAIBORNE

1806.

council,refused
legislative

the

301

WILKIXSOX.

to

accept

the

office ;

Sauve*,Destre'han,and

Derbigny were
ances
deputed by a popular assembly to present their grievmonths
Two
at Washington.
elapsed before
Messrs.

while

No

form

4, 1804, was

until Dec.

not

could

Claiborne

Governor

of

pretence

council

any

all ;

at

obtained.

quorum

disguisingtheir feelingswas

made

minds
the
Spanish population. In French
of Bonaparte was
the
a stronger reliance than
power
Frenchman
of Spain; no
willinglyadmitted
power
to sacrifice Louisiana
forever.1
that Napoleon meant
the

by

to

President's

The

"

language,

French

the

among

perhaps

Spain, and
been

has

of

fearful

been

American

of

Under

at

the

de

to

la

whole

of

future

or

even

time it

tend

to

; to

it circulated

remove

an

greatlyto

wit, that

certainlybe
Louisiana.

into

the

try
coun-

re-ceded

So
relates

to

general
to

the

citizens have

many

the
employment under
manifesting a respect
might lessen them in the

officers."

remonstrances
at

any

to have

contributed

Mississippi,that

accepting

Spanish

Laussat

Archives

the

of

Derbigny,and
Congress was
1

the

government,

therefor,lest
esteem

heretofore

Claiborne

translated

care

as
impression, particularly

this
west

country

It will

Mississippiwould

the

of

been

has

"

local administration

the

embarrass

Governor

wrote

I will take

and

people.
has

which

impression
west

11, 1804, 2

Dec.

Madison,

the

Message,"

the

induced

of

and
Sauve',Destre'han,

intercession
to

yield a

Decrfes,18 Germinal, An
Marine, MSS.

Gayarre'sLouisiana,iii.35.

of John

Randolph,
singlepoint. The
xii.

(April8, 1804) ;

302

After

Congress.
that

Madison

to

in fact the
rather

the

people were
were

Claiborne

13.

so

wrote

disappointed
;
trivial

Claiborne, whom

soothe.

CH.

Louisiana

its passage,

concessions

than

STATES.

torial
ordinaryTerriand
a
legislature,
delegate

elected

rights,an
to

UNITED

2, 1805, gave

of March

Act

THE

OF

HISTORY

and

to

irritate

the

people

as

under
was
disliked,
re-appointed
obstinately
governor
the Act, and nothing in reality
was
changed.
Burr
visited New
Orleans in June and July,1805.
The new
Legislatureassembled, Nov. 4, 1805, when
Claiborne
found
himself
surrounded
by a council
and
a
partly elected by the Legislature,
Legislature
at odds
soon
wholly elected by the people. He was
The
leader of opposition was
with
both.
Daniel
in May, 1806, the quarrel
Clark ; and for a moment
bodies were
far that the two
went
so
on
legislative
the point of voluntarydisbandment, and a majority
of the council actuallyresigned. The
Legislature
their delegate to Congress.
Clark
Daniel
chose
as
made
Claiborne
ly
merethought that the choice was
did he
of personal spite; but no
out
sooner

hear

disunion

of Burr's

scheme

than

he

wrote

to

Madison,1
"

to

If this be the

Congress

on

the

has

He

that

had

their minds
Atlantic

this

from

the leaders.

last, and

object of

and

the

conspirators,the delegate

Territory,Daniel

often
he

the

said

children

expediency

Western

that the
he

of

would
a

Clark, is
Union

one

could

of
not

impress early

separation between

States."

Gayarre'sLouisiana,iii.161.

AND

CLAIBORNE

1806.

the

In

with

Lieutenant

Orleans, and

Lieutenant

May

Murray

friend of Daniel

intimate

an
artillery,

the

of

month

same

303

WILKINSON.

Taylor

from

Clark, came

Adams

Fort

of

New

to

heard

the

ordinary

conversation

Taylor

and

myself." he

afterward

fied,1
testi-

gentleman

there

of

society.
"Lieutenant
"

whose

invited

were
was

name

engaged

in

River

the
the

Miranda
that

Baton

Rouge,

would

large force

trouble

should

advised

he

to the

before

be in

into

they

fail to
1

see

Report

of

the

care

of

and

ing
join-

it.

He
gress,
Con-

; that

it would

that,

disposed

sufficient

he

require

observed
be

Mr.

attack

to

on

favor

he further

off

Orleans,

to do

my

of

plan

officer to

that

send

could

in

Red

I told

coming

was

force

to
I

myself."

officers of the United

States

though
conspiracy was
flagrant; for alnot mentioned, no
could
was
one

name

that

means

should

situation to take

Burr's

Burr's

all

could

it ; and

This attempt to seduce

army

the

Government

rate, if the
me,

he

New

When

as

Government

retake

to

Rouge,
.

the

their

Baton

by

that

and

at

cloth

After

banks

on

me

all he

do

represent

any

calculated

was

the

...

Judge

was

After

lay open

to

the

; it

Rouge

Mexico.

of

way

inducement

an

and
would

in

money

[of persons

in.

came

shipping,taking

by

Clark

as

mentioned

Baton

country, they proceeded

urged

together.

Kerr

inquiries about

impressing

at

Lewis

Mr.

seizing upon

dined

three

removed,
of

the list before

on

We

number

with

expeditionagainst Mexico]

an

Workman.
was

dine

to

the

seizure of government

Committee

General Wilkinson, Feb.

money

inquire into the Conduct

26, 1811; 3 Sess. 11 Cong. p. 320.
to

in
of

304

HISTORY

THE

OF

New

the

banks

and

that the attack

at

UNITED

Orleans

was

West

on

STATES.

of

act

an

Florida

Cii. 13.

treason,

implied a

nent
perma-

militaryestablishment on the Gulf.

June
journed
ad7, 1806, the first Louisiana legislature
Claiborne

Governor

and

felt relief

deep

as

as

by Jefferson at escaping the stingsof John

Randolph ; but althoughfor a time Claiborne flattered
felt

was

that

himself
became

that

aware

could

he

which

to press

in Texas

difficulties were

his

penetrate. General

force

indifference.

showed
to the

Secretaryof

would

not

of uneasiness

August 28
that

know

not

there

is wrong

9 he wrote
the

the

to

whom

behavior

to censure,

somewhere."

stimulated

to

so

bitter that

The

Governor

French
in

wrote

populatioi
of hostilities.1

case

Cowles

Meade,

of Wilkinson's

action

but

all is not
it

The

seems

thei

lettei

troops

right.

to

that

me

militia could

against Herrera,

Claiborne

any

militia

Territory,a
Mississippi

between
feelingof hostility
was

the

present impression is that

My

gan
be-

Nacogdoches

him.

to

oppose

War

at the

Herrera

from

support the government

September
acting-governorof

be

River

him

considerablystronger than

Claibor-ne could

which

"

Red

the

soon

surrounded

mystery

some

not

upon

with

he
lessening,

Americans
intervened

and
for

n"

the

and

Creoles
fear

violence.2
October
Orleans

6, 1806, the

after

tour of

Governor

returned

inspection.Erick

Gayarre'sLouisiana,iii.151.

Louisiana,iii.153.
Gayarre's

to

Bollman

Nei

305

WILKINSON.

AND

CLAIBORNE

1805.

city,and young Ogden had

arrived about October
1, bringing Burr's despatches.
According to Bellechasse and Derbigny the Creole
ment
excited; but this excitealready much
society was
then

been

days in

ten

the

itself to

showed

Claiborne

in

displayof

sumed
as-

stolidity.

of

some

time

which

the

native

Claiborne

city,"wrote

October

War

of

present

tins

is in

There

"

8,1

"

degree

mortifies

and

Americans

of

apathy

astonishes

act

to

of

support with firmness

New

Orleans

they would fightagainst us ;

is that they are
inclined
not

believe

but

my

he felt the

fathom.

17 he

Orleans
of all its
of

tender

not

pression
im-

present

rallyunder

to

the

November
all that

November

November

25, he fell back

time

the

him
1

in

could

as

not

the militia

into

the

and

even

again
as

couraged
dis-

late

as

despondency. During
whom

West

was

he

Florida

feared
; the

apatheticCreoles

were

thought
had

not

his mind.

around

VOL.

and

7 he

15,

enemies

Spaniardsin Te-xas
of conspiracyamong
entered

elated because

was

day

to

unexpectedly,and contrary to the

a
previous conduct, made
voluntary

services.
and

Yet

the

I do

spiritsfluctuated from day

changes in a situation which he

October

New

yet

if

as

disposed

cause.

Claiborne's

tenor

and

standard."

American

of

fear

not

are

American

the

the

discourse

and
...

Louisianians

at

me

perfect securityeverywhere prevailed.

ancient

retary
Sec-

the

to

"

20

the

citywas

tremblingwith excite-

Gayarrd'sLouisiana,iii.154.

306

HISTORY

ment

the

was

of

and

whose

one

four

affidavits from

New

gentlemen in
At

been.

show

to

what

he

his conduct
and

his

that

Burr

Ogden

journey

to

his seat in Congress

delegate. The

Ogden

of

important

Bollman

to take

meant

Clark

collected

most

preparing for

was

and

the

13.

signs

most

later,he

when

Territorial

Bollman

by

five of

or

Orleans

Washington, where
the

showed

months

the moment

arrived, Clark
as

few

CH.

city Daniel

in the

conduct
A

STATES.

UNITED

all persons

guiltyknowledge.

had

THE

OF

brought

news

was

his

on

to

way

Like Senator
placedhim in a dilemma.
Andrew
and
Smith
garded
Jackson, his chief anxiety rehis own
safety; and he adopted an expedient
affidavit of
An
his usual intelligence.
which
showed
character
whose
he mainly depended,
on
Bellechasse,1
Orleans

New

that

narrated
"

in

month

the

Clark

left this

number

and

the

friends, and

imputed

sole

topic

very

of

alarm

influence

with

the Government

and

inhabitants

the

the

of

Governor, although
service

much

that

such

hostile
would

conduct

only

the

of

would

Clark's

views

the

then

were

which,

from

caused

had

their

all to

the

country

to

and

rallyround

thought

of

and

together

them

him

militaryman,

best method
i

Burr, which

States

save

entertained

projectswere
be

as

of

Kentucky,

United
he

called

them

conversation,
advised

he

he

Mr.

before

days

informed

Colonel

to

few

Congress,

to

go

reports daily arriving from

serious

the

cityto

his

of

October,

of

intentions

almost
the

"

to

exert

incapable of
"

the

country

convincing the
145.

dering
ren-

assuring them

against it,and

Proofs,p.

support

if any

that

this

Government

and

Louisiana,

of

to their

present
in

to

such

not

to

members

attend

Colonel

case

stating

to

alarm.

Burr's

topic of

conversation

not

to

and

Oct.

punishment,

15, 1806,
formed

intentions
"

the

of

deservedly

Bellcchasse,the societyof

Oct.

either House

of

gain possession
would

then

were

city,

expose
would

and

country."

the

between

from

meeting

or

measure

of

mended
strongly recom-

call

should
a

Clark

Legislatureas

concerned

individual
every
occasion the ruin

According

Mr.

of 'the

any

Burr
such

that

And

prejudice.

inhabitants

lated
reports circu-

all the

falsityof

the

of

the

of

of the attachment

States

of the United

307

WILKINSON.

AND

CLAIBORNP:

1800.

"

New

Orleans

in

was

almost

daily reports

serious
the

arriving

were

ber
Octo-

Kentucky, although in Kentucky, down to

1, no alarm existed,and Burr's intentions
developed. Each
obtained,one of them

even

Clark

affirmed that about

projectswere
city;

but

the

the

was

were

of the four affidavits which

signedby Peter Derbigny,middle of October, 1806, Burr's

of conversation

general theme

nothing

sole

more

certain

than

in the

that

this

have
not
come
knowledge of Burr's projectsmust
from Kentucky, but from
Burr's own
letters and from
the messages
brought by Ogden and Bollman.
Clark,having thus secured himself from the charge
of abettingBurr, sailed for the Atlantic
coast, and
in due
time
made
his appearance
at Washington ;
but neither
he
Bellechasse
nor
nor
Derbigny nor
Bouligny,although officers of the government, giving
each
ernor

other

excellent

Claiborne

what

advice, communicated

they

knew

about

to

Burr's

Gov-:

plans.

308

HISTORY

From

THE

OF

UNITED

1 to November

October

STATES.

CH.

of
25, the projects

13,

Burr

subjectof every conversation

in the city,
yet the singleofficial who ought to have
bore all responsibility,
first informed, and who
been
Claihad not a suspicionthat any conspiracyexisted.
borne's isolation was
complete. This isolation was
natural,since all the gentlemen of New Orleans quarrelled
with

Governor

the

Clark

with

much

nor

each

with

but

the

of the

any

other

General

with

Burr's

about

Clark

passed

of Claiborne.

that Wilkinson

knew

President

nor

15

who

needed

no

the

militia

of

as

October

Claiborne

of other

number

2.1

intimate

most

kinson
Wil-

nor

Jefferson,although as

he warned

stood

Clark ; intimate

Burr's

was

so

in full sympathy

was

late

as

talked

Wilkinson

with

warned

neither

friend ; yet he

October

them

between

who

nicated
projectscommu-

Wilkinson, who

their hatred

was

friendly.

were

persons

in relations of close confidence

letters

silence

same

their social relations

preservedwhere
Neither

"

exclusive

the

"

were

early as

gentlemen

warning, and although October 17

New
quence
Orleans, evidently in consetheir services to the

of his advice, tendered

Governor.
For

months, between

two

25, Burr's
without

emissaries

in

the

while every
the

Territoryknew

to Wilkinson
1

Clark

to

as

soon

from

hindrance

suspicion or

States authorities

ber
September 27 and Novem-were
busy in New Orleans,

as

contents

1806

United

prominent Frenchman

Wilkinson

Wilkinson,Oct. 2,

the

letter

of Burr's
could have

; Clark's

known

Proofs,p.

157.

AND

CLAIBORXE

nothing

true ; but
ie

few

had

Burr

That

iem.

Spence,who

mant

not

The

movement.
not

commit

to

by

his

might
regarded

Toward

the

certain

Lieu-

in due

Lexington

course,

Burr

despatches to
have

may

against Burr's

decisive

so

Bollman

letters

reached

their contents

but whatever

that

sent

2 delivered

November

ind

adherents

unfavorable.

as

Bollman

of October

md

active

showed

result of his mission

309

WILKINSON.

hopes

to

as

stop

the

the

1806,

day

Frankfort

at

Washington

from

Gulf

of

of all

"

young

his friend

Wilkinson's

1807-1808, p.
House

Evidence
Feb.

conspiracy

Samuel

Evidence,

Committee,

they
sage
mes-

procure

it had

at
an

son
Jeffer-

by

energy

ceiving
re-

confession,

Ohio
had

25,

River

to

numerous

the

most

Swartwout,

after

ing
alarm-

silence.

Ogden,

518.

into

the

From

had

River, pursuing General

1

Nov.

President

when

Orleans

qualities,

to

equivalent to

the

in New

Meanwhile
from

and

startled

was

Mexico

friends ; and

Orleans

attempt

Wilkinson.

General

the

second

letter,almost

New

States

District- Attorney Daveiss

when

against Burr,

indictment

in

situation

his

made

his

careful
people of New Orleans were
themselves, but they guarded Burr's

jealousy. They warned no United

the city stood
official of the danger in which
letters to the President ; they sent no
wrote
no
to Burr
forbiddinghis approach.
was

been, they were

secret with

This

parting

the Red
slowly ascended
Wilkinson, as Evangeline

Burr's

Trial

of

Lieutenant

26, 1811

; 3

; Annals

Sess.

of

Congress,
Spence, Report of
11 Cong., p. 312.

310

HISTORY

THE

OF

pursued Gabriel,even

Spanish

of

town

Wilkinson

of

Adayes,

themselves

the

supposed at
made

been

force

with

13.

to

for

make

their

town

them

to

fix
of

movements

who

had

brought
Nacogdoches, were

many

Burr

should

allow
The

to

by

moment

in concert

he

should

Herrera,

mounted

considerable

militarypoint

River.

General

Spanish

the

he

Red

the

on

The

Spaniards back

whether

CH.

the little inn of the

whether

was

effort to drive the

STATES.

"

as

Adayes."

an

or

far

as

decide

to

UNITED

; but

have

to

persons

in

realitythey
doubtless intended
were
.only to derange the plan,
recommended
by Armstrong and Monroe to Jefferson,
be seized
Texas
should
for the
by which
States,while West Florida for the moment
The

left aside.

be

danger, and

sent

of

littlearmy

Red

Spanish government

United
should
the

saw

fifteen hundred

some

River, where

they posted a strong

garrison at Bayou Pierre, and pressed close upon
The
Natchitoches.
Americans, instead of takingthe
offensive and advancing with five thousand
as
men,
thrown
Wilkinson
wished, to the Rio Grande, were
trembled
for New
the defensive,and
Orleans,
upon
to

men

the

protected only by
Claiborne
Under

Spaniards in

the

Sabine.
his

could

which

neither

trust.

son
Washington, General WilkinNatchitoches
September 22, and found

orders

the

after

militia

French

Wilkinson

nor

reached

For

from

force
a

few

peculiarmanner.
September 28 he wrote

his

between

days

Wilkinson
War

from

own

post

talked

seemed

Natchitoches

and

loudly,

imminent.
a

letter

Smith

Senator

to

AND

CLAIBORNE

1806.

supplies: l

the

Ohio,

for

contractor

his

"

made

I have

the

ippealto

Governor

in command

on

letter,and

of

311

WILKINSON.

is

last effort at conciliation

Cordero

this

Nacogdoches,
Colonel

frontier.

with

now

at

Don.

the

"

Governor

who

his

solemn

is chief

Gushing

expect

I believe,my
days ; and then,
"bligedto fight and flog them."

four

in

bore

my

return

friend, I

shall

in
be

Cordero, whose

objectwas
probably no
than to restrict American
lore
possessionwithin the
his troops from
narrowest
possiblelimits,withdrew
Bayou Pierre, September 27, to the west bank of
the Sabine, and
the road to
left open to Wilkinson
the eastern
bank.
The
Spanish forces recrossed the
Sabine before September 30, but a week later,October
had not begun his ostentatious
8, General Wilkinson
march, of some
fiftymiles,to retake possessionof
the
On

of the

bank

east

evening of October

the

sittingwith

was

alone
[nfantry,
ies,

rhen
lame

Colonel

in the

8, General

Gushing, of

Colonel's

man

young

Swartwout,

)f introduction

from

ordinary talk,

loment

dipped

introduced

was

called

been
into

Wilkinson

U, 1807, p. 41.

General
to

that

and

General
Colonel
out

of

who
he

Second

the

before

them,
that his

said

brought

Dayton.

After

Gushing having
the

Wilkinson's

Smith, Sept. 28,

Wilkinson

quarters at Natchito-

discussingthe militaryproblem
was

little

river.

1806

room,

hands
; Senate

letter
some

for

Swartwout
a

packet

Report, Dec.

312

HISTORY

which

he

retired
the

his

to

despatch
If the

of

July

bent

toward

revolution.

have

would

blow

power

would

blockade

Burr

That

they were

fleet stood

not

that

ties
a

simple

old friends

had

Peter

few

whom

Orleans

it

and

true,

were

ready

success

to

breath

authority;

British

under

as

what
Burr

prevent

of the Western

assuredj

was

in

national

the
Mississippi,

deposed.

troops were

In New

If

nivance
con-

for the Government

cared

or

pay.

the

of the

and

young

old,

entreaties,

River,of

the Red

on

it ?

of the
seemed

Claiborne's

restore
a

Severance

Quebec

him

militia of

French

States

United

their

away

wrote, that

all three

old

his

pleasureClaiborne

with

Americans,

to obtain

The

Governor

to

command

except

empire

follow

to

mind,

beckoned
[Everything

Spanishforce.

five hundred

native

of

letters of Burr

in Wilkinson's

him

decided

seen

Wilkinson's
were

the -rest

relations,
nearly twenty years
Spanish officials guaranteed to him the

Louisiana, deaf
About

passed

secret

of the

would

Burr.

afterward

soon

in the

credit

any

have

the

Colonel

13.

decipheringBurr's long

contained

falsehoods

should

with

of

CH.

29.1

they

His

he

where

labor

Dayton found

on.

letter,and

chamber,

in the

STATES.

letter from

the

received

evening

and

contained

said

Wilkinson

UNITED

THE

OF

the

fought

side

winter

of

Ogden

for
1

See

bound
matter

to

side

1776,

under
with

friend,and
p. 253.

Dayton

Wilkinson.

for

something ;

was

by

him

and

that

the walls
the
with

father

of
of

Benedict

AXD

CLAIBORNE

for their

.mold

commander,

of these

power

who

men,

still

was

that

was
difficulty

lost serious

313

WILKINSON.

Wilkinson

knew

his

the

; but

more

stood

thoughts

of
produce his letters,and who, in case
lesertingthem, would certainlydo their utmost
mid

character

Lestroywhat
Whatever
"ok at

Andrew

Jlark,his first step was

of Burr's

notify the

Jackson,

misprision of

ikingsome

Daniel

and

The

treason.

necessary

In any
to

to the

"ssed,and Burr

"r

the
LW

the

or

Bluffs.

About

Natchitoches

)lans to Colonel

the

Span-

Orleans,

regarded

move

in

assistance

and

Burling,who

proved

the

River

down

yet

officers at Fort

an

time

warn

and
Mississippi

October

as

passed. Although

did not

authorities

commanding

cached

to

15, Wilkinson

lOvember
int

was

week

meant

patriotism;

Gushing,whose
of the plot.

success

to act.

eagerness

been

of

the

after

deliberation of his conduct

the

case

have

Colonel

sound

to

act

an

took

that

force to New

was

light it might

another

ras

he

plot,and

his whole

move

this avowal

sense

:tempt

of the

that

temporary arrangement with

Is,he should
one

announced
letter,

President

to

interests,

own

arrival,Wilkinson
lorning after Swartwout's
after tellinghim
Colonel Gushing aside, and
mtents

his

provideagainstthe danger

to

with

being charged

protect his

to

Smith,

and

possessed.
his reflections,
Wilkinson

been

measures

Senator

ake

have

may

once

he

in

15

Adams
a

Wilkinson

Ohio

Presi-

the

Tennessee,
or

Chick-

troop of militia
confided

accompanied it.

his
One

314

HISTORY

OF

might almost

have

sounding
did he send

suspected

that

officers.

Not

letter he

name.1

Burr's

his

He

for Yera

did

not

the

spoke

Cruz.

of the

timed

as

Orleans."

the

to

After

in

of

are

what

in relation

Burr

was

to the
was

should
worded

so

of Burr's

Wilkinson

so

have
to

as

but
failure,

also

to

commanded

at

letter to

Burr,

who

October

wrote

mysterious warning

Freeman,
wrote

it

tined
des-

under

communication

and

case

mention

in

no

injureBurr.
sending this despatch to Washington by

special messenger,
letter

21

projected,from
derived,or what

been

The

Ohio;

protect Wilkinson
event

October

expedition as

Washington after

to reach

down

passed

13.

atically
system-

as

It is unknown

"

of its support

means

Territoryof

CH.

was

much

be the intentions of its leaders

may

he

until

so

authority this enterprisehas

whence

STATES.

UNITED

promised letter to President Jefferson,

the

in that

and

THE

23

a
a

Lieutenant-Colonel

New

Orleans.2

which

He

afterward

he

destroyed.3He sent his

to the Sabine,and
force forward
passed ten days in
making an arrangement with the Spanish officers
for maintaining the relative positionsof the outposts.
recovered

Not

Wilkinson

1807-1808,

p.

he

Oct.
Jefferson,

to

20

return

and

21,

23, 1806

Natchitoches.

1806

Wilkinson's

; Wilkinson's

moirs,
Me-

ci.

Evidence, Burr's Trial

541.

to

xcv.

Freeman, Oct.

to

Appendix,

Wilkinson's

and

5 did

ii. Appendix,

Wilkinson
ii.

Natchez

until November

Memoirs,
2

at

; Annals

of

Congress,

AND

CLAIBORNE

1806.

last,his

at

Then,

Natchitoches

wrote

On

"

Hurry, hurry after

buried
together in

shall have

not, we

whites

as

the

grave

the

"in
"

the

the

of

seat

of Burr's
"This

for Jefferson's
letter,
is

indeed

embracing
and

the

the

it will

the

'76

and

needy,
receive

the

the
'

strong

Wilkinson

to

and

young

native

ins

'

in
I

...

Gushing, Nov. 7,

the

as

and

from

"

the

to

4
"

widespread

spiracy,
con-

old, the Democrat

the

foreigner, the

yesterday, the opulent

the

and

support

the

and

of

exotic

quarter little suspected.

1

and

same

oral account

an
:

by

you

7,

he wrote

benefit

deep, dark,

Federalist, the

patriot of
and

silent

November

messenger

well

as

the

letter of alarm

and

country,

with

as

you

shall

If I mistake

"

be

llth,whence

Major Minor"
President,confidingto the

the

be

Natchitoches

on

of the

Freeman

to

be

us

part ;

of blacks

shall

wrote

let

his

danger.

"I

time

Kentucky.

place we

savior

insurrection

mean

Natchez

reached

the

from

Burr's

month
and

chosen

the

as

an

left

He

of

last

at

instant," he

20th

day;3

ruins

the

combat."

to

of this

if necessary,

; and

me

exaggerate

to

began

Gushing

in Tennessee

act

to

15th

the

had

decided

having
he

He

Colonel

to

declaration is to be made

defend ! "

rapid as they

as

dilatory.

he

November

became

movements

been

hitherto

had

315

WILKINSON.

'

outs

and

Orleans

New

gasconade
1806

'

not

I
from

when

fear
a

Memoirs, ii. Appendix,

xcix.
2

Ibid.

Wilkinson
e.

"

to

Nov.
Jefferson,

Ibid.

12, 1806

Memoirs, ii.Appendix,

316

HISTORY

tell you
in the

that in such
service

descend

men

wishes

of

of

be

with

bring

country, and

prevailed on
withstand

to

If this

intoxication ; but

on

in another

cry of

Governor

Claiborne

made

l
:
terrify

You

surrounded

the

he

but

this

destruction

is

be

can

ful
hand-

my

improbable

He

should

I shall

numbers."

have

written

before; but

speak, he

was

by dangers

of

of

The
I

to

having

determined

will

storm

shall

which

American

the

meet

to

dream

you

government

is

probably burst
it, and triumph

in

did

of Claiborne

or

had

yet

shock

another

shadowy

Wilkinson

Jackson

to
to

was

meet, for

that

Claiborne,Nov.

Claiborne,Nov.

Congress,1807-1808,

p. 571.

in

him

writing to

12,

1806

on

Jackson

2"

Memoirs, ii.328.

; Burr's

Trial.

the

language even

of Wilkinson
12, 1806

stout

summoning

was

before his eyes, Andrew

terror
was

to

heart

at* Natchez

that Wilkinson

the arrival

not, on

letter,
wholly desert him, his

bewilderingthan

more

of

courage

Nashville

at

With

good

"

day

same

and

"

If the

of this

calculation,

friends

disparityof

month

to

Orleans, where

perish!

gallant,it

panic.

seriouslymenaced.
New

sympathies

them.

such

"

are

not, and

the

but

life

thousand

seven

this is the

none

13.

much
like
gasconade, it sounded
the same
day the writer indulged

his mind

up

should

and

follow

to

such

not

was

"

them

veterans, however

able

Ohio,

CH.

glory to give my
I verilybelieve

for

country ;

the

STATES.

I shall

cause

probable, because,

that

afterward

UNITED

THE

my

from

will

they

"

of

to be

event

an

OF

Annals

CLAIBORNE

induces

does

Ige

larters

id

but

letails,

Keep
of

Spain

there

fear

This

for

of

Orleans

of

country

own

in

rotten

the

the

upon

[Wilkinson],

your

something

for

month

by

own

your

it,

and

denunciations

head
in

bear

from

from

the

state
!

December

of
and

eye
the

ides

began

to

for
of

your
March

"

storm

silence

General

or

write

Profit

laiborne's

only

attack
Be

into

go

will

safety.

jmember

is

Beware
.

well

as

knowl-

to

an

General

our

city

your

me

with

state

My

expect.

on

eye

defend

authorize

present

attack

an

Denmark^/

"f

at

not

day.

in

external.

meet

the

town

and

to

as

of

order

your

as

will

watchful

beware

far

you

do

you

enemies

so

fear

Put

militia,

your

extend

not

the

you.

internal

against

well

lert

organize

become

write

to

me

defence

"f

has

treachery

fear

317

WILKINSON.

AND

but

buffeted

whatever

trusted

November

than

25,

fate
who

Wilkinson,

Burr
and

he

as

little

himself,
took

the

could

in

be

in

of

store,
worthy
trust-

more

arrived
reins

upon

he

was,

might

was

hail

New

power.

CHAPTER

FOR

several

Orleans

No
while

after Wilkinson's

days

left the

he

conspiratorsin
alarm

public

Colonel

XIV.

had

man,

and

had

with

until

December

5 did

Burr's

to oppose

him

; and

scheme

confided

less

nothing

was

abdicate

to

be

to

in which

it

this

of

should

length

consent

with

solute
ab-

law.

demand

insolence

; and

rather

knew

man

and

extreme

sounded

felt

defence, which

extraordinary
of

meant

at

Wilkinson

invest

part, such

verge
made

was

of

that Claiborne

object

an

the

effronteryto

"

that

Claiborne's

on

plan

by proclaimingmartial

Considering

than

than

his

office and

his

power

himself

Governor

the

to

he

General

6 the

Not

Bollman

then

even

Boll-

interview.
that

and

ward,
for-

Erick

on

he tell Bollman

uncertainty. December

some

little army

the

confidential

given;

been

30, called

Wilkinson, November

tions.
of his inten-

doubt

yet

Gushing hurried

arrival at New

picion
just sus-

carried

the

like

an

tone

order

like advice.
The

city and
States

dangers,"
the

menace

from

said

he,1

laws

unauthorized

an
1

and

"

which

impend

government
and

formidable

Gayarre'sLouisiana, iii.163.

of

over

the

this

United

association

COLLAPSE
be

tust

fabric of
of

successfullyopposed at this point,

our
independence, purchased by the

country,

our

319

CONSPIRACY.

THE

OF

Libertywill

take

circumstances
be resorted

will
her

to, and
for

this

flightfrom

the

Goddess

the

short

of

period yieldto

must

tutions
civil insti-

our

the

of

Under

globe forever.

ordinary forms

fail-

blood

best

imperious,extraordinary measures

so

must

prostrated, and

be

the

or

strong

of

arm

militarylaw."
the

mildly resisted

Claiborne

much

with

pressure,

ment
good temper refusingto sanction either the impressof seamen,
the suspension of the writ of habeas
corpus, the declaration of martial law, or the illegal
of

arrest

suspected

meeting the
at

his

defiance

with

emergency

the

disposal. Wilkinson
of his

while

persons,

insisted

he

on

ordinarylegalmeans

was

obliged to

in

act

advice.

Orleans
at New
14, arrests
Sunday, December
first to be seized.
Swartwout
was
began. Bollman
These
arrested at Fort Adams.
and Ogden had been
seizures,
companion,
togetherwith that of Bollman's
wild talk,spread panic
Alexander, and Wilkinson's
through the city. The courts tried to interpose,and
The
Claiborne.
applied for support to Governor
Governor
advised
Wilkinson
to yield to the civil

authorities ; but
in the

knew,

and

Judge

with

Burr, and
own

refused,

thus

citysomething equivalentto

He

his

Wilkinson

or

believed,that

Prevost

success.

he

were
was

The

both

engaged

martial

Judge
in

ing
establish-

the

Workman

conspiracy

obligedto defy them, or

only

effect of the

law.

to risk

attempt

to

320

HISTORY

enforce

the

THE

OF

of habeas

writ

prisoners was

UNITED

draw

to

December

did Wilkinson

that
the

18

letter to

26,

send

to

swore

and

had

July

President.1

of Swartwout

arrests

Burr's

the

what

letter of

Burr's

"

in

corpus

out

concealed,

STATES.

CH.

favor

Not

written

In

order

until

version
to

of

warrant

cember
Ogden, Wilkinson, De-

affidavit which

an

of the

hitherto

been
29.

14.

embodied

letter.

This

panic in New Orleans to a

climax.
Wilkinson's military
measures
were
evidently
directed
rather
against the city than against Burr.
His previous complicityin the projectsof Burr was
evident.
His power of life and death was
undisputed.
in New
Orleans was
silent
a
Every important man
accomplice of Burr, afraid of denunciation,and at
step brought

Wilkinson's

the

He

avowed

publiclythat he
would
without
act with the same
regard to
energy,
standing or station,against all individuals who might
be participantsin Burr's combination
it would
; and
have

difficult for the best

been

given

it

peoplein New Orleans

they had no knowledge of the plot,or
no
encouragement. The Creole gentlemen

began

to

regret the

to prove

had

mercy.

that

that

their

they

saw

them

face to face with

mild

of Claiborne

sway

factiousness

own

the

chances

of

had
a

when

brought

drumhead

court-martial.
Wilkinson's
from
1

President's

violence
the

mere

Message of

1806-1807, p. 43.

might

have

terror

it

Jan.

provoked an
caused, had he

22, 1807.

Annals

of

break
outnot

Congress,

COLLAPSE

ken

show

to

care

OF

THE

that

he

321

CONSPIRACY.

in

meant

to
reality

pro-

of the city.
punish the chief men
in truth reasiter the first shock, his arrests were
mring. The people could afford to look on while he
and Alexander;
seized only strangers, like Bollman
and

not

to

in Swartwout

even

arrested

leant

make

to

arrests

no

Only

New

in

case

like

Derbigny or
would
the people

men

Wilkinson

resist ; and

likelyto

of

citizens

Bellechasse

Livingston or

]dward

few

Ogden

personal interest.

had

General

the

"e

much

took

Orleans

and

showed
the

among

that

he

residents,and

againstevidence that could comproThank

citizen of the place.
God !
he
Daniel Clark, December
10,1 your advice to

close his eyes

"

"

dse

any

wrote

to

"

Bellechasse, if
laranty,would

character

your

vindicate

In another

you

not

was

againstany

written
letter,

sufficient

foul

imputation."
January,

earlyin

added,2

ie

"

It is

that

fact

[Claiborne]has written
that you had
[Jefferson],

fool

our

lis contemptible fabricator

if you

the United

had

States

Claiborne
weeks

as

had

soon

withdraw
tasse.

as

brought

would

they

were

such

able to

to

had

curse

lisp."

charge only
have

must

clared
de-

heard

already

few
it

written

on

Belle-

"

Wilkinson

Clark's
VOL.

them

teach

learning Clark's advice to

Nevertheless Wilkinson
continued,
it

to

Daniel

150.
2

you

before, and Wilkinson

Claiborne
himself, who

from

children

to

Proofs,p.

III.

"

21

151.

Clark, Dec. 10,

1806

Clark's

Proofs,

322

HISTORY

THE

OF

UNITED

Cet bete

follyand

[Claiborne]is
vanity. He cannot

for

or

"

Burr

removed

of

Britain

will

join, they
abroad

; but

Clark's
delivered
from

The

have

Burr

Wilkinson

without

for Bollman.1
take

in

longer,

if he

Americans

Take

care!

worth

having."

letter which

address, but

"For

that

the chin

Suspicion

is

Orleans

came

to them

was

intended

which

sake," said

own

your

is not

do not

correspondents in New

business
to

if the

friend

14.

much

revolt

Cn.

Bonaparte compromises
signal for a general rising

and

oppose.

to

up

supported

have

will be the

not

you

be

moment

Spaniards ;

and

French

present

shall

we

speedily.

Great

with

Burr

no

at

STATES.

eral,
Gen-

the

letter away

ing
Destroy,and say nothA year later,when
of it !
the frightened
crew
from their panic and beof conspiratorsrecovered
gan
him
with
to turn
of
ferocityon account
upon
his treason
and to Burr, Wilkinson
to them
wrote
Clark a last letter,
to Daniel
mentioning in semithreateninglanguage the written evidence in his possession
againstClark himself,and adding,2
"

"

"

"

Much

pains

believe

to

Ogden

gone

Burr, and

from

Many

other

names

exposed,

not

by
1

nor

to

that

were

you

will I

to Daniel

ever
.

induce

me

assured

me

with
to

despatches for you

furnish provisions,etc.

mentioned

were

to

Swartwout

Orleans

New

self-defence.

Wilkinson

Bollman

by

concerned.

were

you

had

taken

were

to

expose

me

them

which
unless

I have
pelled
com-

."

Clark, March

20, 1807; Clark's Proofs,

p. 151.
2

Wilkinson

p. 154.

to

Daniel

Clark, Oct. 5, 1807; Clark's Proofs,

Wilkinson
in

molest

did

never

serious

any

323

CONSPIRACY.

THE

OF

COLLAPSE

1807.

them,

expose

the

degree

did

nor

he

society of New

Orleans.
Wilkinson

Had

satisfied to

been

the

secure

city

magnifying himself, he might perhaps have

ing
do nothits regard and gratitude
; but he could
noise and
without
days
display. Before many
passed he put an embargo on the shipping and
He
the whole
spread
city at work on defences.

without
won

had
set

of negro
stories of Burr's force and
panic-stricken
He
insurrection.
exasperated the judges and the
disgusted the Creoles.
bar, alienated Claiborne, and
Nothing but a bloody convulsion or an assault upon
could
thousands
Burr's
armed
the city from
save
Wilkinson
from becoming ridiculous.
Jan. 12,1807, the Legislaturemet.
Probably at no
time

had

Burr's

even

among

confided.

for
was

of

man

timid

somewhat

to

the
men,

was

meeting of

true

the
and

to have

waited

that

character

and

to offer him

Natchez

to

fears

for

were

the
counted

had

the

fancy

no

Clark

expect
The

declare

and

danger

calculated

government
upon

Louisiana

government.
a

from

lature
Legis-

serious

no

to weaken

Burr

been

of conservative

whom

whose

it had
had

standing.

Legislatureto
at

had

Burr

port,
sup-

of Daniel

conduct

from

avowed

to whom

influence

expected,and
strengthen rather than
to be

yet it

and

what

property

under

was

was

of

much

persons

The

scheme.

example

an

every

those

of wealth

Men

wild

so

projectreceived

He

this

depende
inwas

delegationto bring

324

HISTORY

him

the

at

Natchez.

in

and

that
at

appear

the

command

to

would

Burr

be

soon

The

Madame

be

to

already

twenty

and

marched

men,

Wilkinson's

second

claimed

friends

more

; but
was

few others

and

descended

indiscreet

as

one

the head
the

door

have

For

made

at the

hotel

prison.

to

allowed

been

seen

moment

ordered

hundred

arrested

have

same

vail.1
pre-

Kings-

of the

Orleans

must

dead.

Wilkinson

of

in command

in New

he

even

would

him,

than

the

that

the

his

arrest,

time, caused
detachments

citement,
ex-

of

dence
confipatrolthe city; but thenceforward
and
the crisis passed
soon
began to return
carryingwith it forever most of the discontent

troops

away,

river,when

tyranny

could

for he

and

so

that if he had

no

conspiracy

the

Lieutenant-Colonel

at
Infantry,
appeared at

Burr's

had

tion
insurrec-

negro

town, and

stepson, was

hours
forty-eight

General

shipsin

into

afternoon

same

had

with

men

publiclythat General Adair, second in

that
Burr, had arrived in town with news
follow in three days, and that it would

afterward

Adair

thousand

seven

Nourage's boarding-house.

Burr's

the First

and

rode

whether

seen

bury of

British

Adair

Judge Prevost,
announce

with

moment,

and

of

door

Burr

any

him

suddenly John

supposed

was

14.

CH.

The

behind

to

STATES.

city had been kept for a month

state of continual
alarm, distracted by rumors,
outbreak from day to day, assured
expecting some

might

at

UNITED

he

offer; and

Wilkinson

by

THE

OF

to

Depositionof

1807-1808, p.

573.

John

Shaw, Burr's Trial

; Annals

of

Congress,

COLLAPSE

1807.

and

had

which

danger

If New

Louisiana.

American,

marked

it

325

CONSPIRACY.

Orleans

least

at

THE

OF

the

of

became

thoroughly
again thoroughly

never

was

annexation

never

French.

Unfortunatelyfor
the

of savior

character

with

met

his command.

post

of nineteen

again

descended

the

mouth

at the house

of

Wilkinson
From

river

moment

of

Evidence

of Lieutenant

Congress,1807-1808, p.

Judge
letter

Burr

Bluffs,the
thirty
ashore, and

went

Bruin

which

saw

Jacob
683.

in his

company

until,January 10,

Burr

he
he

himself

to
Wilkinson,his only hope was
proclamationhad reached
1

actually

saw

had

cipherto Wilkinson
July 29, and
had
26.
published December

the

no

Bayou Pierre,about

There

certain

containing the
in

of

by Captain
Lieutenant
flotilla,

to raise

the

Natchez.

above

written

Burr

by

received

January 6, leaving Chickasaw

it reached

miles

or

received

been

stopping the

from

accepted money
flotilla

had

had

nearly persuaded to joinit,and

was

service.1

sight of Wilkinson

who
artillery,

than

So far from

Jackson

lous
ridicu-

stationed,commanded

was

of

lieutenant

Bissell.

somewhat

dition
expe-

tle
leavingFort Massac, the litthe Mississippi,
and in a few days
small
a
Bluffs,where
military

men

instructions

more

country, Burr's

After

Chickasaw

second

within

came

flotilla entered
reached

his

to

hopes of figuringin

ingloriousand

an

before it

end

Wilkinson's

escape.
the

paper
news-

himself
which

denounced
The

by
dent's
Presi-

TerMississippi

Jackson,Burr's Trial;Annals

326

HISTORY

ritory; Cowles
the

out

him

where
him

Meade,

of

UNITED

the

If Burr

militia.

the hands

THE

OF

STATES.

went

Wilkinson, who

he

on

had

Cowles

would

Meade

would

every

and

was,

14.

had called
acting-governor,

to be court-martialled

he

CH.

fall into

motive

shot ; if he
arrest

to

der
or-

stayed

and

send

the
Moving his flotilla across
sistance
river,Burr gave way to despair. Some ideas of reentertained
and the
were
by Blennerhassett
other leaders of the party ; but they were
surprised
to find their
glad to abdicate and submit.
emperor
January 17 Burr met Acting-GovernorCowles Meade
to

Washington.

"

"

and

surrendered

that

moment

discretion.

at

such

was

January 21
which
sunk

had

been

from

he

Meade

first secreted

the

conversation

at

sane.1
thought him inof muskets,
cases

his

caused

After

in the river.

Washington,

to

at

that

His

in the

his surrender

capital of the

brush, to
he

was

be

taken

Territory,about

Natchez.

moned,
sumgrand-jurywas
the
tempted
and
Poiiidexter, atattorney-general,
The
indictment.
to obtain
an
grand-jury
but presented the seizure
out the bill,
not only threw
of Burr
his accomplices as
and
a
grievance. The
half inclined to
militia who
stopped him were
very
of United
join his expedition. Except for a score
civil and
States officials,
military,he might have
seven

reached

miles

Orleans

New

Fortunately neither
of
to

be

made

the

without
the

national

jest. The

a
1

Blennerhassett

civil

check.
the

thorities
militaryaudisposed
government were
grand-jurycould grant but
nor

Papers,p.

426.

COLLAPSE

1807.

:respite,

Burr

and

his

the

on

men

had

hands

drafts
he

protested;
Adams

at Fort

civil authorities
failed him
be delivered

fear.

the

been

do

to

what

doing; and

he realized that

President

had

turned
re-

ties
militaryauthori-

determined

failed in

had

fate of

During the delay

disorganizedand
York

that

were

when

to

New

on

evils.

between

he risked

become

knew

General

to

or

still to decide

flotilla had

; his

insubordinate

327

CONSPIRACY.

openly expressed

he

which

THE

Wilkinson's

fell into

If he

OF

he

his

Wilkinson, whom

age
cour-

either

must

whom
Jefferson,

he
he

the

had

had

fied,
detried

deceive.

to

1,1807,after sendingto

Feb.

note

Burr

to

for which

ruin

in the

back

his

turned

suit of

coarse

soiled white-felt
and

for

the

end

near

Mobile

nearly a

them,

on

he alone

and

return,1

left them

to the

responsible. Disguised
Mississippi
boatman, with a
was

hat, he disappearedinto
month

tilla
the flo-

on

of his immediate

them

assure

his friends

lost from

was

the

sight.

woods,
Toward

of

February he was
recognized in a
Spanish frontier,about fiftymiles

the

his

; and

Gaines, commanding
by. Gaines

arrested

of confinement

announced

was

presence

at

After

him.

Stoddert

at Fort

Fort

above

tenant
Lieu-

to

Stoddert,near
three

about

he

cabin

sent

was

weeks

to Richmond

Virginia. In passing through the town of

Chester,in South Carolina,he flung himself from his
in

horse

and

cried

for

the escort
1

rescue

seized

Blennerhassett

him,

; but

threw

Papers,p.

the

him
206.

officer
back

manding
com-

like

328

HISTORY

child

into

another

saddle,and

the

physicalstrength of

the

which

government

the
had

he

UNITED

STATES.

marched

on.

CH.

Like

history,Burr

American

in

man

THE

OF

14.

many

felt at last

patientand long-suffering
so
insulted,
persistently

outraged, and

betrayed.
the end of March, 1807, did

until

Not

Richmond

; and

Congress

had

in the

mean

passed,revolution

taken

place in Europe, and

trials

had

for

begun

episode,which

foreignor
in

domestic

large felt hardly

of

the

excitement

connection

which

what

in

the

spiteof

as

to

expect

the President's

specialinterest

which
showed

met

few

was

was

roused, and

even

days later,Dec.

matter

midst

to
was

Union.

care
so

In

proclamation of Nov. 27,1806,

indifference to Burr

If this

of the

dissolution

at

Orleans;

general public obstinatelyrefused

Burr
was
doing,or to believe that he

insane

with

country

New

convulsed

popular support

affairs of the

perceptibletremor

was

the

and

no

The

had

troubled

Burr

active

no

of

political

Jefferson's

little direct

and
politics,

session

series of

new

conspiracy of

had

quarter.

any

whole

reach

after revolution

President

The

Administration.
mere

while

Burr

for

and

the

Congress

1, 1806,

at

first

his affairs.

blame,

the

fault

certainly

lay with the President,who had hitherto refused to

whisper a suspicioneither of Burr's loyaltyor of the
Jefferson
believed to characterize
patriotism which
Louisiana, the MississippiTerritory,and Tennessee.
Even
the proclamation had treated Burr's enterprise
Annual
directed wholly against Spain. The
as
one

COLLAPSE

December

Message, read
wish

to

allude

to

THE

OF

2,showed

still more

strongly

ignore Burr's true objects. Not only did it

air of apology,as
the proclamationwith an

rendered

the

"

"by

necessary

individuals to decide
of peace

war,"

or

the

evidence

329

CONSPIRACY.

criminal

for their
it

but

of the

conduct

attempts

against the Spaniards:

vate
pri-

tion
ques-

of

defiance

militia of Louisiana

supporting Claiborne

Mississippiin

the

country

praised in

of

and

and

Wilkinson

"

I inform

"

with

you
the

which
their

done

honor

their

of

with

inhabitants

of

themselves,

fellow-citizens

in

entitled

strengthen

them

under
efficaciously

promptitude
have

their

country.

them

to

the

part of the

every

general

the

must

of

the

Territories

those

in defence

services
to

great pleasure

of

determination

It has

confidence

Union,
to

all circumstances

dered
ten-

and

protect

which

may

occur."

On
his

Jefferson was
subjects
He
asserted
officially

some

eyes.

militia had

done

of their

honor

determined
that

to themselves

fellow-citizens

at

and
a

to shut

the

Orleans
the

won

moment

when

fidence
con-

he

Claiborne almost
daily
receivingfrom Governor
warnings that the Orleans militia could not be trusted,

was

and

would

By

certainlynot fightagainstSpain.
Jefferson
self
of conduct
course
entangled him-

this

in

labyrinth of

new

Until
and

wishes

led him

; but

and

after

contradictions

that moment,
to

the

convictions

ignore or
moment

his

and

sistencies.
incon-

apparent interests

to belittle Burr's

had

obligedhim

passed, his
to take

spiracy
con-

terests
in-

the views

330

HISTORY

the

share

and

OF

UNITED

THE

STATES.

of General
responsibilities

CH.

14.

son.
Wilkin-

John

Bandolph found fresh opportunities

the President,while the President
lost his
to annoy
with Luther
contest
temper, and challenged another
Thus

Martin

Chief-Justice

and

Marshall.

shutting his ears to the reiterated warnings

to the
Eaton, Truxton, Morgan, Daveiss,and even

After
of

of Wilkinson

himself ; after

neglectingto take
precautions against Burr, Wilkinson, or the city of
New
Orleans,and after throwing upon the Western
for doing what
the govpeople the responsibility
ernment
had
been
instituted to do; after issuinga
busterin
proclamation which treated Burr's armament
as a filihints

venture

like that

of

Miranda

and

after

sending to Congress an Annual

Message which excused

the proclamationon the ground that it was
act of
an
good faith toward Spain,although Spain took no such
view
of it, Jefferson
could not reasonablyexpect
the oppositionin Congress to accept without a protest
sudden
legislationresting on the theory that the
Constitution
in danger.
and the Union
were
of December, 1806, passed at WashingThe month
ton
without
producing a publicdisplayof uneasiness
the President's part ; the Government
on
was
waiting
son
to hear from
Kentucky and Ohio.
Outwardly Jefferof the people
continued to relyon the patriotism
of Louisiana, but
troubled
with
inwardly he was
22 Robert
fears. December
Smith, anxious to save
himself
from
possiblecalamity,wrote to him a letter
"

"

of remonstrance.

the

In

"

OF

COLLAPSE
of

course

in relation

ith,1
"

the

Western

the

opinions which,

by

of

any
to

press

24th

apprehend

to

Such

Burr.

force

step,

momentous

limitations

in

last

their

will, I fear, be

by

session.

posed
pro-

of

the

the

York, Norfolk,
Orleans

under

Captain
time

nothing

beyond

Colonel

of

ketches

the

and

boats
gun-

doubt

the

Decatur

have

enterprise.

Executive

could

have

But

this

not

take

existing statutes

and

House

The

of

tatives
Represencrisis

approaching
the

of

of

want

Executive

the

circumscribing

so

an

melancholy proof

was

cast
fore-

within

such

limits."

narrow

Robert

Smith, conscious

Congressmost
himself
whether

the

Jefferson

of

the

being

distrusted,grasped at
from

Burr's

Congressor

and

the

spiritmanifested

the
at

in

such

it was,

the

consistentlywith
with

joined to

Mississippi,would

as

New

militaryexpedition

suppress

it expedient

sloops-of-war and

this

at

in

expressed

If, as

New

to

sent

would

we

naval

sufficient to

the

Burr

deem

not

Preble, with

the

been

I did

said

all countenanced

at

Washington,

from

the

on

now

not

time

to

...

been

command,

in

second

time

were

October,
at

of Colonel

attention.

Commodore

of

command

they

of

had

Charleston

and

from

your

stationed

gunboats

I have

gentlemen,

upon

the

on

movements

as

other

communications,"

the

to

331

CONSPIRACY.

various

our

country,
the

THE

and
restraint,

impunity
in the

President's
was

Executive.

reply

to

his

whom

the idea of freeing

not

to want

He

was

stop

ask

to

of forecast
alarmed

letter showed

that

equallyuncomfortable.2

Robert

Jefferson to Robert

Smith

due

were

did

person

to

Dec. 22,
Jefferson,

1806

Smith, Dec. 23, 1806

Jefferson

MSS.

; Jefferson

MSS,

332

HISTORY

"

I had

What

answered,
of

OF

"

to wait

The

mail

next

find

that

his

post

till we

force

Marietta

at Fort

than

had

has

Cincinnati,

or

Congress,

before

naval

equipment,

thousand

our

In

the

Not

duty
with

the

equipment

and

of

I would

we

the

of confidence

within
The

to retake

stopped

opposition
that

on

whole

order

ter
mat-

twenty
States

Western

Orleans,

New

be

there
to

be

to

you

suming
pre-

them.

before

preparation to

in the

in this

ting
get-

officers

the

plan

people of Louisiana
of

operations.

The

only to act, but to act

quickness and vigor,before Burr should
a
long distance of New
Orleans, was
idea of calling out twenty thousand
not

government

extreme

the

on

at

get speedilyready."

can

detected

be

not

the

retake

of

then

we

opposition

time

same

would

days.

appropriation for

recommend

giving orders

which

be

to

avowed.
men

at

naval

trace

come

and

to

If

lay the

to

immediate

river

twelve

dependence

more

an

the

time

vessels

was

will

ask

down

mean

ready
and

and

militia,or volunteers, from

proceed

to

effectual

propose

Louisville

date.

that

depending
have

(though I
other) I should

in

thence

no

President

from

news

14.

dezvous.
proposed general ren-

will be of

Adams

any

get

from

comes

expected

CH.

contemplation," the

Louisville,then, without

at

STATES.

15, the day of Burr's

The

UNITED

in

myself

was

December

either

THE

New

Orleans

showed

degree of

alarm

contrastingstronglywith the equanimity that preceded

allowed
had
it, and with the inertness which
such

an

this

between
was

to

emergency
letter

and

the

The

difference

President's

of tone

guage
public lan-

Nevertheless,the Western

extreme.

arrived, bringing

arise.

news

that

the

State

of

Ohio

mail
had

COLLAPSE

1807.

greater part of

seized the

; and

for further

reason

2, 1807,

333

CONSPIRACY.

Burr's

boats, that

six

or

ville
escaped,and that Burr had gone to Nashin this partlysatisfactory
Presireport the dent

eight had
saw

THE

OF

Next

silence.

letter of November

Wilkinson's

Jan.

came,

12

from

chez,
Nat-

pledge to perish in New Orleans, and

trusted
not
to writing, but
with
orally
messages,
about Burr's cipherletters
imparted to the messenger,
Still the President made
and their contents.
no
sign.
of some
clew
his followers were
For want
greatly
like John
Randolph,who hated
perplexed; and men
Samuel
the President, and
Smith, who did not love
its

with

him, began

to

suspect that

at last the

Randolph,with

fairlyat a standstill.
instability,
swayed between
was

At

one

he

moment

serious ;

most

of

extremes

believed

another,

at

Administration

that

that

the

the

his

scepticism.

situation

Spain was
through a very

Burr

behind

"I

am

to

wrote

conviction

informed

also,

respectablechannel, that
there is a considerable
party about Lexington and
Frankfort
highly propitiousto his views, and with
which
names
strong Spanish prepossessions. Some
have been

you."
that

mentioned

Jefferson's

of Burr

"The

state

the
1

direct

was

conspiracy was

only a Spanish intrigue.January 2 he

Monroe, in London, a letter full of the
that

usual

conduct

Randolph

to

irritated

him

more

than

"

things here

newspapers

astonish

would

of the number

as

Yrujo :

or

of

and

teem

is indeed

with

unexampled.

rumors

Monroe, Jan. 2, 1807

; Monroe

dangerous
MSS.

though
Alto

334
the

and

peace

Government
a

not

Ohio

There

subject.
I must

are

omitted.

by

letter.

The

army

oral

(as

officers

In

what

much

and
to

it is

Congress on

to

curious

circumstances

called) is

with

act

honor), yet

not

caring

fact, however, ought

with

unacquainted

how

communication,

One

of

information

authorities

other

contemptible state, unprovided

and

given

herself

some

14.

notwithstanding

communicated

for

reserve

them

to trust

be

been

CH

credit to the existence

have

done

has

STATES.

Union, and

State

several

syllablehas

which

the

full faith and

the

to

which

one

UNITED

conspiracy,and

instructions

(under

THE

safety of
give

formidable

the

OF

HISTORY

not

in the

everything, and

to

most
men

their duties."

to
Randolph expected the army
as
be, after six years of such legislation
his, could
not be guessed. Officers and
distributed by
soldiers,
of miles distant from
companies, in forts hundreds
each
other, could hardly become
acquainted with
other duties than
those of a frontier garrison.
any
General
Smith
did
not, like Randolph, complain

of others
too

state

for the consequences

wrote

"

Nicholas
fear

country
no

from

any
1

MSS.

The

exertion

will

down

the

proclamation, it

seems,

Samuel

go

The

information

Smith

to

W.

to.

consider

making,

false information.
of

confidential

scribin
letter,de-

"

little attended

is very

kind

He

Burr

that

trouble.

us

moment

acts.

own

Wilson
situation,to his brother-in-law,

the

Gary

that

at

of his

to

C.

river

President

give

in the Western

They,
that

and

doubt,

no

ing
see-

it has

originated

has

yet given
gentlemen

Congress,

not

and

Nicholas,Jan. 9, 1807

Nicholas

the

(Giles among
kind

any

of

THE

OF

COLLAPSE

1807.

will not

number)

danger.

Burr's

to

never

never,

avowed.

and

And

proclamation !
act?

Congress
information

Duane

calls

Would

you

they
I

imprudent.
a

have

unauthorized

United

the

the

all

he

have

folded

not

strength.

disclosed

the

his

and

arms

Even

except by

Another

week

not

now,

him

Then

passed.

what

he had

in

The

United

matter.

threatened

with

"

President

external

with

conspiraciesand

from

their

not

being

adjourn,adjourn and
do

as

we

are

bid, and

annoyed
more

the

convincingthan

fidelity
five in

few,

not

and

character.
would

its whole
has

been

last,January 16,

and

done

moved

he
or

States

lution
Reso-

knew

about

meant

to

treasons, the
sit,take
ask

no

and

things

as

questions!

democrats;

but

"

his

his arguments, and

"

but

alarming

more

yet

do

only

not

are

war," Randolph said,

;

the

Tiffin."

what

denned

troduced
in-

tell.

on

and

collect

at

House

Randolph rose
asking the
Burr's affairs,
and

in the

can't

energeticmeasure

an

be

tary
mili-

our

President

storm

[Wilkinson]and

John

the

honor

conspiracy,the
let the

to

depend

very

the

would

should

very,

can

President)

That

whose

man

except

the

pass?

the

Executive

addition

an

nation

of

open

"

How

This

States, for its preservation

Had

taken

that

it

Alleghany

to act.

the

of

consent

Will

by

from

proposing

exertions

doubted

were

force

(with

Resolution

It is curious

the

Orleans,

Congress

is
is

step taken, except

one
on

there

Wilkinson

passed

unwilling to give?

are

establishment.
...

not

yet

that

letter to

object, New

; his

return

believe

had

He

explicit.(This is secret.)

335

CONSPIRACY.

sit and

we

schoolboys,
His
sneers

after

lution
Resowere
some

336

HISTORY

UNITED

THE

OF

STATES.

CH.

H.

a
unorganized resistance,
majority
The Resolution was
adopted and sent

contradictoryand
supported him.
President.

to the

spatche
days afterward,January 18, Wilkinson's deOrleans
from New
to December
ing
18, embrac-

Two

version of Burr's

his first written

reached

of

and

Burr,

Wilkinson

that

or

pudiate
re-

tions
lightof Burr's revela-

he could not
quasi confession,
serious conspiracyexisted,or affirm that
had
beyond the line of duty,even
gone

General

though

sustain

was

Wilkinson's

and

the

in the

; and

Jefferson

trial.

should

he

whether

decide

obliged to

accomplices
legal rights had

their

Washington for

to

that Wilkinson

other

and

of

defiance

in

shipped them

deny

Bollman

arrested

had

country learned

The

Washington.

cipher despatch

violated

had

he

indeed, had
At

arrests.

that

indignationfrom
the

Executive

had

left such

to

after

which
itself,

hands

in the

power

so

diated
repu-

public

warnings

many

of

the

condemned

have

would

and

had

only diverted

have

structi
in-

authorized

if the President

he would

Burr,

Dearborn's

extent

some

moment

Wilkinson,

laws.

the

sally
univer-

man

distrusted.
Thus
voice
of

last Jefferson

at

to

with

evident

he

which

punish

Burr.

in the

almost

party

to

strove

Anxiety

Message

to

defend

to

which

excuse

he

to

Wilkinson

sent

himself
to

his

sense

the

sting of personal bitterness

gave
zeal

made

been

raise

Thenceforward

crimes.

against Burr's

having

obligedto

was

spiracy
con-

the
and
was

Congress

in

January 22,
of

"

intimations

I received

of

peace

Union, and

the

received such

had

the month

long before
44

It

said,

in

agitation
unfriendlyto the

were

and

the

that

prime

truth would
that it

to say rather

that

intimations
of

in these

mover

was

October

latter part of

have
not

to

be

justice,without
had
produced

required the

the

to

premature attempt

popular impression in

bring
his

his

tober
Oc-

made.

be

to

for

President

part of

tillthe latter

sufficient evidence

that

perceived."

inquiryon his part began

Kentucky

times, and

many

September.

conspiracybegan

the

Absolute

In

till the

not

was

objects of

44

designs

he

Burr."

Aaron

He

that

September,"

of

part

country, unlawful

Western

in the

was

in the latter

time

Some

Randolph's Resolution

to

response

337

CONSPIRACY.

16.

January
44

THE

OF

COLLAPSE

1807.

Burr

to

conviction,

favor

and

tunate
generaldisbelief of his guilt. This gave him an unforopportunity of hastening his equipments."

Daveiss
ral
natuwas
Complaint of District-Attorney
inexact in every particular.
; but the reproofwas
to
The attempt to indict Burr, if any attempt were
not premature. The impressionin his
be made, was
his
favor did not give Burr
to hasten
an
opportunity
equipments,since Graham
appeared at Marietta the
of Burr's first discharge at
same
day with the news
Frankfort.
Finally,if Daveiss's attempt failed,the
fault was
at Washingwith the Government
ton,
chiefly
which
VOL.

in.

had
"

22

taken

no

measures

to

direct

or

to

338

OF

HISTORY

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

represented on the
support it,and which was
by a judge himself implicatedin the charge.
On

"

danger
Yet

that

associates

fugitives
Cumberland,

from

threaten

serious

Orleans."

conspiracyagainst the

bench

"the

Message,

quarter, cannot

New

cityof

to the

the

their

place in

other

any

said

whole,"

Ohio, with

the

from
or

the

U.

Union

existed ; the

Burr's

cipher letters ; he
expectationof seizingupon New
the panic prevailing
there ; and

communicated

President

proclaimed Burr's
Orleans, as well as
of Bollman
arrest
and
he
approved Wilkinson's
the Message spoke of the people
Swartwout.
Finally,
in New
Orleans in a tone of confidence quite different
from
that of Wilkinson's
despatches,communicated
Message itself.1
Senate interpretedthe Message

the

with
The

doubtless

was

for

President

hours, had
the

as

in

been

bear,

as

"

Bollman

support.

arrive

would

to

meant

in

introduced

Bill

suspending for

and

the
the

to

necessityof
Senate

Wilkinson

1806-1807,

that

with
this
the

consent, and

unanimous
1

corpus

p.

to

to

special

Rules

were

Bill

was

at

months

such

seemed

measure

Jefferson,Dec. 14, 1806

1009.

three

respect

the

without

custody. Giles

longer

of habeas

Swartwout, who

not

held

writ

the

Washington within a few days or

arrested, and they,as well
illegally

be
legislation
a

it

sense

request from

and

conspirators,could

other

in the

once

the

persons
so

obvious

suspended by
passed on the

; Annals

of

Congress,

OF

COLLAPSE

day through

same

THE

all its

339

CONSPIRACY

stages. Bayard alone voted

againstit.1
Monday, January 26, the Bill was
brought before
the House, and
Eppes of Virginia,the President's
its rejection. The
jon-in-law,immediately moved
debate that followed
was
curious,not only on account
of the constitutional points discussed,but also on
of

iccount

the

President's

division

of

sentiment

the

among

friends,who

quoted the Message to prove

that there was
no
danger to public safetysuch as
called for a suspensionof habeas corpus, and appealed
the

to

Message to prove the existence of a

and
wanton
malignant insurrection than any
had ever
before been raised againstthe Government.
John
Randolph intimated that the President
again attemptingto evade responsibility.

more

that

was
"

same

It appears

attempt
law

of
of

to

cover

the
the

information
about
issued

certain

violation
we

an

of

December

that

oblique

an

established

the

told

are

Sir,recollect

country.

first of

of

departure from

States,which

United

the

on

certain

and

in this

mind," said lie," like

my

land,

committed
met

to

tion
Constituhave

that

been

Congress

President

the

had

the

incipientstage of this conspiracy

the
last of
September; that the proclamation
before Congress met; and yet that no suggestion,

either from

the

Executive

from

or

either

branch

of

Legislature,has transpiredtouching the proprietyof

the
has
cover

taken
up
1

writ

place.
such

Diary of

of

habeas

I will

never

violation
J.

corpus

Q. Adams

agree

by

until
in

this

this

the
pending
sus-

violation

side way

to

proceeding highly dan-

(Jan.23, 1807),i. 445.

340

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

to the

libertyof the country, or to agree that

invaluable
it
privilegeshall be suspended because
been
and suspended, too, after
already violated,
gerous

"

cause,

if any

With

whatever

there

conspiracy,
an
intrigue!
Bill
of
the

rejectedby
accordingly

was

hundred
the

day
of

Cranch
Bollman

was

thirteen

Court
the

on

affidavit and

William

warrant

has
the

exist.

to

dignify
nor

this

less than

to

the

jority
great ma-

nineteen.

On

attorney-general
applied to Judge

Swartwout

and

by

and

District

the

Wilkinson's
oath

ceased

this

"

one

same

it,has

epithets gentlemen may

I think it nothing more

...

The

for

was

14.

Eaton

in

for

charge
statement

support of

issued ; Bollman

warrant

and

the

against

of treason, filing

given under
charge. The

Swartwout

at

once

Supreme Court, then in session,for

writ of habeas
a
February 13 Chief-Justice
corpus.
Marshall
sel
granted the writ; February 16 their counmoved
for their discharge
February 21 the
; and
decided
that sufficient evidence
of levychief-justice
ing
war
againstthe United States had not been produced
to justify
the commitment
of Swartwout, and
still less that of Bollman, and
therefore that they
be discharged. Adair
must
and
Ogden, who had
sent
been
to Baltimore, were
liberated by Judge
appliedto

the

Nicholson.
The

friends

of the

Administration,exasperatedat
this failure of justice,
again talked of impeaching the
of
amendment
an
judges.1 Giles threatened to move
1

Diary of

J.

Q.

Adams

(Feb. 21, 1807),i. 459.

COLLAPSE

Constitution

OF

THE

taking all

341

CONSPIRACY.

criminal

from
jurisdiction
Meanwhile
Supreme Court.
Randolph and the
federalists assailed Wilkinson, and
by implication
the President.
They brought forward a Resolution
ieclaringthe expediencyof making further provision
of habeas
"y law for securing the privilege
corpus ;
and
in the warm
debate
raised
by this manoauvre
John
himself
Randolph made
conspicuousby slurs
he did not scruple to charge
ipon Wilkinson, whom
ie

double

with

By

Burr.

treason,

the

to

"

close vote

Constitution

and

to

of

this
sixty to fifty-eight
Resolution
bate
was
indefinitely
postponed ; but the deshowed
the settled drift of Randolph's tactics.
He meant
to attack the President
kinson;
by attackingWiland
the President
could no
longer evade
for Wilkinson's
To be thwarted
acts.
responsibility
dolph
Ranby Chief-Justice Marshall and baited by John
; to

crimes
fate

be

and

made

of

at

Wilkinson's

hard
peculiarly

could

not

Thenceforward

to

Randolph actingas

bear, but

was

one

Burr's
was

"

which

ferson
Jef-

and

accuser

changed.

trial of Burr
trial of

became,

seemed
in

Wilkinson, with
President

and

What

litical
po-

John

Jefferson

as

for the

presided in

defence,while Chief-Justice Marshall

judgment. No more
unpleasant attitude

be

readilyimagined for
high positionand pure character
his two

of

extravagances,

the situation

point of view, the

could

scapegoat

escape.

to be the indictment

counsel

the

once

most

formidable

and

of Jefferson's

man

than

to

plead before

unforgivingenemies

as

342

HISTORY

the

and

patron

UNITED

THE

OF

of

protector

client

respect. Driven

by

forces which

paths, he

by

the

in

but

stood

14.

far beneath

so

allowed
who

man

CH.

choice

no

had

saved

of

him

he
fected
efpreciselywhat
look
must
sustainingWilkinson, Americans

order
in

understand

to

disbelieved

of facts

King of Spain

of the

archives

in the

STATES.

by

the

for

President

knowledge

of the

United

States.
44

According

1807,

separation

Union

taken

Wilkinson
of

the

wild

to

He

us.

With

King.

militaryknowledge,
failure of

the

foresaw

from

of

case

the

making

that

he

and

the

would

the

idea
1

the

lose

the

considerations,

so

to Burr

fatal to

Yrujo

to

; and

he

leave

plan.

pension

from

local

his

moral

and

certainty

Doubtless

him

in

like the

employment

he

from

the

nature, he

latter

he

success

; that

their
the

entirely

in his mouth

enjoys

in

when

Wilkinson's

is

of
improbability

meat

secret

ration
sepa-

pertinaciousperseverance

this nature.

honorable

pension

the

his favorite

Wilkinson

attempt would

piece of

dially
cor-

expected,

and

capacityand

the

entered

to be

anticipatedwith

first that

generous

explain

not

been

This

them.

considerable

natural
he

the

persisted in carrying out

expedition of

an

in the fable with

These

has

enjoys

his

from

was

foolish and

the

Burr

has

project against Mexico.

devoted
the

which

States

this government,

States

from

come

with
a

detests

28,

had

which

"

Jan.

menaced

if Wilkinson

Burr,

Western

evil has

The

of

Yrujo

wrote

United

which

place

into the views

because

the

saved

the

of

have

would

has

Spain

appearances,"

to

dog
is,

holds

King.
could

persistedin

an

interests,nothing remained

Cevallos,Jan. 28, 1807

MSS.

Spanish Archives.

mt

take

to

the

;asion

as

hand

other

le

ik

in

the

pecuniary

military

service

such

expected
"btain,

proceeding

that

Whether

IV.

for
the

Army
he

enjoyed

in

year

twenty

years
had

pension
1

he

States,
perhaps
will

result

as

the

his
to

was

order

in

Burr

and

flatter

acted

has

reputation,

right

his

in

doubted,

be

mistaken.^The

States

Carlos

Burr's

distinguished

case

sacrificed

has

was

might
be

not

Fnited

of

Yrujo

motives
;ould

he

On

to

advantages

out."

pointed

have

is,

compensation.

may

any

alternative

ruins

the

on

in

and

this

on

getting

United

the

sures
as-

for

his

which

popularity

an

conduct

secures

of

he

means

either

generous

advantages,

In

ity.

some

his

service,

this

with

him

"vers

for

or

this

By
allege

extraordinary

an

increased,

it

will

and

343

CONSPIRACY.

adopted.

course

pension

his

THE

OF

COLLAPSE

Clark's

in

was

been

Proofs

services

on

one

the

of
had

employment
of

two

secret

been

Wilkinson,

of
of

thousand

he
the

Don
lars
dol-

services,

and

rendered

and

paid.lJ
against

point

general-in-chief

pension

consideration
the

but

son's
Wilkin-

of

theory

1809.

CHAPTER

JEFFERSON'S
disunion

effort to suppress

scheme

had

generous.

last

session,he could

harmony

restore

the

succession

the

both

to

from

tear

were

of the
than

strugglefor

The

party.

pure

ardent

more

his brows

the

his

only pleasure,and

and

mortifications.

could,he stifled discussion

he

as

wish

for infinite labors

reward

far

in motives

no

his

which

of Burr's

by the factiousness

feel
to

scandal

the

source

threatened

laurels

hard-won

its

Distressed

and

to

XV.

So

in

regard

of

Pennsylvania,1

the

to

coming change.
The

"

"

question," he
be

cannot

the

present session
the

of
.

touched

The

nation

schismatic

to

views

this

itself
is

decide,

should

spiritthe

endangering

Congress,

present session

great questions

In

without
of

Leiper

to

wrote

and

the

harmony

disturbing the

of

quillity
tran-

prematurely and injuriously.

and
important as having new
the

decision

any

part."

in

take

President

shaped

of

his

which

acts.

no

union
Re-

policy,a controllingimpulse,was
the motive
of his gentlenesstoward
Randolph and the
that of his blindness
Virginia schismatics,as it was
in

to

the
1

common

doings of
Jefferson to

Burr.

Leiper,Dec.

22, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

SESSION

OF

Message

of

Annual

The

mded
id to

the party

unite

to

the

prepare

\"reignaffairs

mcentrated

plane

new

Madison's
to

of

action,

gentle rule.

drop from sight;

to be forgotten
Spain were
;
to be
ignored; political
was
energy

to be

was

in-

was

and

"Vance, England,
lorida

on

allowed

to be

were

December, 1806,

for

way

345

1806-1807.

the

harvestingof fruits already

ipe. For six years, carrying out the policy of dislargingpublicdebt, Gallatin had pursued his econoties,in the opinion of many
good men
pressing
far as to paralyzeGovernment.
The
time
lem
so
had come
he could do no
when
more.
Twenty-four
millions of debt had been paid. Of the remainder
about ten millions only could be dealt with ; and arrangements
made
lions
were
fo"dischargingthese ten milupon

Jefferson's

before
the

should

term

Meanwhile

end.

the

posed
surplus must be disof,and the period of pinchingeconomies
might
Henceforward
cease.
Republicans, Democrats, and
Federalists might agree on some
common
system of
expenditure.
revenue

The

question

Message,
be

appropriated,

intervals
?

when

Shall

other

and

articles
in

foreign
of

due

the

over

more

season

the

of

war

impost,

domestic

general

the

these

Annual

surpluses

surplus of impost,

public debt,

purposes

suppress

shall

objects
whole

the

the
we

forward," said

comes

discharge of

to

few

now

what

"to

the entire

them

growing;

was

and

and

shall
and

during
not

give

will doubtless

be

use

right;

those

call

for

that

manufactures?
necessary

after

vantage
ad-

On
the
but

pression
supthe

346

HISTORY

great

OF

UNITED

articles

the

of

mass

THE

enough

continuance

of

the

public education,

the

great

it may

as

channels

by

placed
be

proposed

better

much

public

of

be

articles of

public

take

institution

alone

the

and

opened

will

pear,
disap-

their

union
is

Education

ordinary branches

out

care,

it is

those

contribute
of

some

so

manages
but

equal ;

sciences

yet necessary

country,

these

that

Supply

parts of which

the

not

to which

concerns

can

the

of

its

to

By

separation
ties.

to

public

will be

indissoluble

and

of

powers.

private enterprise,which

all the

circle,all

of

Their

add

to

proper

identified,and

though rarely called for, are

the

objects

federal

lines

the

among

hands

the

and

new

other

of communication

will

interests

their

use

thought
of

the

States,

such

be

operations new
the

the

purposes

enumeration

of

them.

its

constitutional

it would

of

rich

are

certainlyprefer

improvement

here

who

are

would

roads, rivers,canals, and

cemented

only

paid

15.

themselves

applicationto

between

is

impost

those

by

CH.

afford

to

patriotism

which

on

foreign luxuries, purchased

STATES.

which,

complete

to
to

the

them

provemen
imits

to

preservation."
With
were

no

necessary

within

air of

apology,as though his old opinions

the President
longer of practicalinterest,

that

added
be

an

amendment

an

in

order

to

to the

bring

Constitution

these

new

would

functions

the enumerated

objectsof government ; but to

such
amendment
he saw
did he
an
no
nor
objection,
in obtainingit. A broad system
apprehend difficulty
of internal improvements ; a national
university; a
steady,perhaps,a quickened,pace in preparationsfor
"

the

defence

of

our

seaport

towns

and

waters

an

SESSION

of the

irlysettlement

"

irts of

our

Fective

portions can

time,"

ie

to

"me

called

of

instead

these

were

devote

its

remaining

years

should

two

"

be

so

vulnerable

and

exposed

militia

347

1806-1807.

most

country ;

nion, or volunteers

ress

OF

organized that

to

any

them,

to

point in
serve

the

objectsto
energies,in order
of Jefferson's

its
the

cient
suffi-

which

Con-

that

when
should

power

end, the fabric of Republican government

an

lightbe complete.
Federalist and

Democrat

could

joinin acceptof action,and could lay aside forig such a scheme

their old, unprofitable
wild
jver
no
disputes,seemed
The
Iream.
strengthened by a paragraph
hope was
held out the prospect of removthe Message which
serious barrier to perfect
harmony :
ig another
That

"

congratulate you, fellow-citizens,on

)f the

period

at which

to
mstitutionally

States

ie

unoffending

inhabitants

morality,the reputation, and

country have

long

citizens

the

participationin
have

rightswhich

interposeyour

may

withdraw

all further

from

)f human

you

been

eager

the

been

of

approach
authority

the

those

United

violations

long continued
Africa, and which
so

of

the
to

best

interests

on

the

of

our

proscribe."

Jefferson recommended
ignoring foreign politics,
begin a
Congress to abolish the slave-trade,
system of national roads and canals,found a national
tional
university,
fortifythe coasts, and organize the naAlmost

ing
Congress been able or willpromptly his advice, many difficulties

militia ; and
to

would

follow

have

been

had

overcome

before

the

year

1810

(/

348

HISTORY

which

seemed

THE

UNITED

twenty

even

of national

STATES.

CH.

later to bar the

years

15.

path

ceeded
sucCongress,indeed, never
in risingto the level of Jefferson's hopes and
; it realized but a small part of the plan which

wishes
he

OF

progress.

with

slowness

The

system.

it did

what

and

traced,

lagged behind industrial

measured
by the fate of
of 1806 for crowning the
of
Not by means
of wisdom

in

the

which

and

little

with

movement
political

social progress

could

be

President

Jefferson's scheme

fabric of

Republicangovernment.

the

government,
with

trusted

persons

objectsdestined

Jefferson's

were

done

was

by virtue

or

the government,
last to be

at

attained.
partially

Notwithstanding

the

favor

shown

internal

to

provemen
im-

dent's
Randolph exulted in the PresiMessage,which he regarded as expressing his
views.
scoffed at the Smiths, CrowninHe
John

own

other

shields,and

he

Message,"

The

you

supposed,

wormwood

wry

faces, but

in fear

armaments

would

to

of the

to

Nicholson,

certain gentry.
rod

in

and

less apparent

"

as

was,

They

made

of

plums
sugar-

repugnance

than

hopes

predicted."

General

"

wrote

it with

swallowed
I had

had

loudly of war.1

talked
44

in the last session

who

orators

We

Smith

stare

who
politicians

wanted

annoyed,

were

have

the

and

established
down

any

theories,"wrote

possiblemeasures

Adams's

Randolph, p.

206.

Adams's

Randolph,p.

208.

Smith,2 uthat
of

offence

or

SESSION

Should

ence.

those

down

he

though
the

army.

the

measure

Never

until I had
there

the

pletelygoverned
of

man

time

into

The

session

took

so

com-

fail to

it

feel

place in

taken

might

had

every

some

be

ten
forgotfor

reason

welcoming Randolph's followers

would

from

character
first Bill

The

of

approbation.

influence

had

that

party, if they

the

back

for

and

ignoring it

of what

of Madison

the friends

; and

(al-

bring forward

to

his

could

to wish

regard to Florida,or

"

ordinary sense

at the recollection

shame

dare

Executive

nation

Message

augmentation

first obtained
when

will

recommend

necessity) any
not

last

the

at
cannot

/, did

Nay I, even

was

No

President
the

sees

now

against

fine-spun follies,he

Look

soon.

the

that

is such

patrioticstand

seductive

very

349

1806-1807.

take

man

and

destructive

be written
It

OF

consent

to

spiritof

this

come.
ciliation.
recon-

adopted by Congress

pended,
sus-

judgment, the operation of

dolph
the Non-importation Act
passed in April ; and Randid not fail to suggest that his sarcasms
against
those who
had
by its
urged this law were
justified
instant suspension. The
next
important measure,
under
the
President's
brought forward
patronage,
salt ; and Randolph
the abolition of the duty on
was
at the President's

reminded

followed
year
the

the

close upon

before.
tone

House

of

that
his

own

Throughout
a

this

the

dictator ; and
tried

relief from

strenuous

taxation

efforts of the

Randolph took
most
questions a

session
on

majorityof

the House

the

popularity.Old subjectsof disputewere

race

for

only to

vie with

him

in

350

HISTORY

laid

aside ; the

regard

OF

the

to

wout, he

corpus

House

cut down

York,

; in

attempt

principlesof

of 1806-1807
the

confidence

and

leave

General

and

Smith

powerful than

his

to

have

was

built

Republican party.

The

to
sion
ses-

for defection to Monroe.

thought Executive

influence

President

the

ever, but

paid

ships of

fortified New

New
fortify
reverted

to

his

the

York, he

wishes.

line,he
would

have

to

Little

He

would

more

seemed

only by disguisinghis weakness.

attention

the writ of

opinions the

and

army,

Swart-

perpetualeffort to win back

support of Virginia for Madison,

was

excuse

no

the

15.

allowed

and

man

refused
appropriations,
the

was

suspend

to

with

sympathy

to increase

declined

the first

the

Randolph
of Boll

case

CH.

forgotten. In

were

navy,

; in the

stopped

STATES.

claims

and

army

habeas

UNITED

Yazoo

his way

to have

THE

would

fluence
inno

or

gladly

willinglyhave
liked two

more

regiments to garrisonthe militaryposts ; but he could

dolph's
/do nothing in face of the reaction which, at RanI
bidding,swept the Southern Republicans back
to

1798.
in

practicesof 1801 and their professionsof

shown
force of reactionaryfeelingwas
The

their

speeches which
North
New

which

and

revealed
South.

York, Southern

caused

York

New

dangerous chasm

tween
be-

fying
question of fortiRepublicans took ground

On

the

Democrats

feel toward

to

had been felt by

Virginiaa disgust as deep as ever
of Maryland favored abandoning the
Burr.
Nelson
the
When
of attack : l
cities altogetherin case
"

Annals

of

1806-1807, p.
Congress,

389.

comes,

;nemy

itire into the

is for

not

cities

and

Holland

that

is

is any

the

by

"

case

of attack

lay land

Not

memy.
last

of

disposition
defence-

are

been
that

want

to

"

ought

be hooted

to

the

as

basis

ought

we

peace

at

principlelaid

very

is this very

miseries

of
be

to

principlewhich

is

Europe."

of

abandoning

New

York

2
"

York
the

York

preserve

also favored

New

ever

so

cityand

cut

fortification there
of

man

from

war

ly had

above

country.

lad not

all the

Randolph

Suppose

to

to

son-in-law,
spoke

it is the

New

from

Sir, it

war.

of

John

the

that

reasoning,
source

"

of defence

go

dispositionthat

towns

President's

principlewhich

gentleman

)repared for
le

that

our

Republican government,

)wn

should

we

"

commercial

of

If there

lis

country,

only tolerably

were

of

the
Virginia,
lotlyagainstthe doctrine

in

cities

consequences

this

enemies

many

us

Carolina

only safety at present. I

singleship,or any preparation for war."

Eppes

"

so

that

Our

quelled.

of North

confident

was

the

as

let

towns, and

our

other

our

351

1806-1807.

Holland

country."

novelty in

be

"ss, and
je

take

lamented

He

mnot

let them

York

Mr.
fortified,

that

OF

seaboard

igardedthe
If New

SESSION

our

Long

treacherous

army

Island,
to his

campaign might

retreated

into

Annals

of

Annals

of

the

well

army

off its intercourse

be

would

made

would

have

if the

enemy

duty

have

an
fortified,

; and

been

Congress,1806-1807, p.
Congress,1806-1807, p.

's

avoided

598.
610.

for the

escaped

all the

country."

with

in

general
ties
calamiif

our

352

HISTORY

Answer

THE

OF

to

UNITED

like

arguments

STATES.

these

CH

of

was

15.

course

to take the
was
impossible. The only final answer
Southern
people at their word, and to assert as a
being entitled
principlethe rule that seaboard cities,
to no
protectionfrom government in case of attack,
the right to protect themselves
viting
should have
by in-

the
York
a
as

to

enemy

had

rule, if

argument

an

nothing,because

deep

so

Randolph

cities that

with

answered

this

even

unwillingnessof

have

but

availed

Virginian antipathy to
We

"

such

Virginia;

all his friends

voice,

one

of

logic would

was

and

New

and

operation of

interests

the

it suited

Boston

fear the

to

reason

no

them.

occupy

expect

would

have

better ! "

no

Southern

the

Republicansto
V fortifyextended
only to forts and ships,not to gunboats.
Randolph had not much faith in gunboats ;
his friends were
but
willingto spend comparatively
Their theory
these
on
cheap defences.
large sums
The

reasonable.

was

protectedby

be

not

coast

like that of America

fixed

fortifications

some

system of movable

whole

purpose

the

on

selected,and
prove

be

to

it
was

never

was

their

Northern
that

; but

no

effectiveness
one

failure ; and

"

answer

only
the

pended
system everything deof the
battery to be

gunboat would

could say that the

effective.

alone,

batteries could

in such

could

sea-goingpeople pronounced
the navy, gunboat service

Most
in

popular. The real argument for gunboats

assumed
cheapness ; but Gallatin and the
saw
foreDemocrats, as well as the Federalists,
the

supposed economy

was

delusion.

OF

SESSION

cost

inboat

flotilla of

whole

priceof

this flotilla would

These

them

He

wanted

to

adopt

above

new

hundred

open

the

as

to

the

gunboats
The

no

majorityof the
possibleservice

If forts

men.

he

were

of

always manned,
they were
surelygunboats were
was,
"

objection; yet
thousand

hundred

navy

Nelson

dollars

willing to build

was

might

ask

wanted
in
any

to

buildingnumber

for.2

the
rejected
representatives

seaboard

Northern

"

unless

assertion

the

allowed

Southern

the

States

for fortifying
appropriation
The
could be obtained.
York
board
theory that seareceived
cities could not be defended
general

dispose of

New

the

will be of

offer of gunboats, and

to

short.

on

thousand

same

spend three
gunboats, and
of

much

in actual

manned,"

are

service
possible

no
"

one

the

argued Nelson,1 and to

have
must
a
we
large standing army."
whether the House
to know
was
prepared
system that would requirethe raisingof

they

man

effect

no

for

how

say

repairsor

gunboat was

Fortifications

"

unless

in annual

less,and

or

built

be

could

one

no

cost

had

doubts

House.

but

life of

The

service.

could

gunboats

frigate
;

dollars

thousand

ten

some

353

1806-1807.

No

them.

of the

assent; but many

members

went

further,and

danger to those cities existed. A

policyof neglectingdefence might be safe in peace,
when
foreign nations had every interest to avoid a
declared

war;

that

but

VOL.

no

nothing

could

warrant

the

common

Annals

of

Congress,1806-1807, p.

Annals

of

Congress,1806-1807,

in.

"

23

398.

p. 400.

asser-

354

OF

HISTORY

tion

that

danger

herself,at
American
when

of

by
all

France

with

when

the

ministers

Madrid

at

withdrawn, and

and

Spanish army

warfare,

ica
permit Amer-

British

the

Islands,

Spain had ceased,

Washington had been
was
threateningNew

with

diplomaticrelations

and

attacking

was

to

15.

America

of actual

measures

except

CH.

only from

whether
hesitating

was

at

STATES.

existed
when

commerce

trade

UNITED

war

moment

England
to

THE

Orleans.
Willis

Alston

Carolina,chieflyknown

of North

as

objectof Randolph'speculiarcontempt and personal

self
took as strong ground as Randolph himviolence,
Josiah
these questions. On the other hand
on
Quincy showed in a high degree the art of irritating
of expressinga low opinion
opponents by his manner
an

of

their

resented

members

Quincy
whose

sense

was

social

reply to his

and

motives

this

treatment

well

man

born

standing could
taunts

Alston

and

the

more

because

educated,

questioned.

be

resorted

Southern

well

and

not

the

to the

In

well-worn

Republican party. "The

ent
prestaken
Administration,"said he, "has
up a new
pubsystem of defence, it is that of saving the lic
of the

commonplaces

"

in

money.

This

Federal

times.

system
We

is new,

have

not

and
gone

not
on

known

increasing

predecessors."The assertion could

not the less
not be denied; but Quincy's retort was
The
Federal Administration,"he replied,
pungent.
saved the country from danger and disgrace: I wish
taxes, like

our

"

"

I could

say

as

much

of their successors."

OF

SESSION

1806.

lay

issue

whole

The

counter-charges. To
views

Federalist

the

had

charges

President,his
converted

become

of

influence

the

and

to

Randolph

ciety
popular prejudicespeculiarto Southern soto an
held the House
impracticablecreed.
stiffly

the North

Whatever

requestsof
showed

House

cityof
The

universities.

South

the

fared

alacrityin taking

no

no

New

York

only

establishment

of

coast

survey,

objectin which the Southern States

Even
the
as
deeplyas the Northern.
for beginning the Cumberland
postponed by the House.

the

innovation

of

the Act

dollars for

thousand
fifty
10, 1807, appropriating

Feb.

subjectof

the

up

and

better than

through Congress was

its way

made

wanted

East

State and

the

roads, canals, or
which

and

Jefferson's wishes

refused.

West

the

short

extent

some

but

these

of

and

the

in

Senate

the

Cabinet, and

855

1806-1807.

for this

was

an

interested

were

Senate's
Road

priation
appro-

definit
in-

was

jealousyof government could not without illners

Randolph's mantemper be so severely enforced.
who
were
unconsciouslyimitated by the men
imitated his statesmanship,and the Southern
licans
RepubThis

their

treated

harshness

as

offensive

members,
own

and

still

more

as

such

Randolph.

part able

the most

to return

even

that of

treatment

Southern

York,

the

planters refused
Federalists

were

with

to aid in

the

autocratic
The

to hold

arrogant, enjoyed the irritation

like Sloan and
Smilie, Bidwell and

If the

New

for

allies with

Northern

eralist
Fedtheir

manners

of Democrats
Varnum.

fortifying

stronger for

the

356

HISTORY

OF

refusal ; and

if

and

tobacco

THE

UNITED

Virginiawas

anxious

for the sake

corn

STATES.

of

Philadelphia,the Federalists

and

Northern

the

that

hoped

of

take

care

trade

startled

cities

not

CH.

to risk

Boston, New
for the

might

be

15.

her

York,

most

part

induced

to

Yet

themselves.

eralists
although the Fednot sorry to see
the PennsylvaniaDemocrats
were
ground under the heel of Virginia,
they were
to find how
creased
rapidlythe sectional spiritin/surprised
States when
in the Southern
slaverywas in
question. The debate on the abolition of the slave-

The

Democrats

and

Federalists

alike.

President's

in the

Message which
related to the slave-trade was
regularlyreferred to
Peter
a
special committee.
Early of Georgia was
Mann
ginia,
chairman, while Thomas
Randolph of VirJohn
Keenan
Campbell of Maryland, Thomas
of

paragraph

North

Carolina, and

Northern

three

tives
representa-

completed the number.

Early took the subject
promptly in hand, and Dec. 15, 1806, reporteda Bill,
which
came

up

declared
;

of

referred

was

imposed

ship

and

importation of
fine

the
behalf
of

the
cargo
of the

the

House

which
a

United

in

committee, and

for debate.

of

President

the

the

Bill

forfeiture

importer,with

States

United

to

in

ure,
prescribed rules for forfeit-

forfeited vessel

was

to be

States government.

consisted
slave-ship

The

slaves unlawful

as

negroes

authorized

vessels

Act

of

on

; and

cargo

employ the armed

enforcingthe law.
Under

the

days afterward

two

the

to

in negroes.

The

Under

sold

on

cargo

Early's

SESSION

1807.

Bill,every

OF

imported

negro

forfeit to the

became

thenceforth

United

into the

States,and

States government

United

sold by the

357

1806-1807.

try
coun-

be

must

to the

highest

bidder.

in regard
rinciples
cted

to

rnment

of

approve

extent

reat

the

adopt

to

that

negroes
be sold

Rhode

Island
law

might
and

might have

collusion

between

that such

Upon
became

of New

be

ineffectual ;

inform
turn
at

against

loose

was

felt

that

took

no

of

rious
se-

suppose

surprise at
offer

to

forfeited negro

and

in

man

savage

began

which

soon

ground that without

sale,the law would

the

slave-dealer

quantityof
Annals

of

strenuous

the

South

if his

act

negroes

on

large.
1

could

every

debate

forfeiture

the

Newport

chance

without

have

must

Southern

the

one

of

freedom.1

to

Early

provisionfor

of

buyers

pass

providing that

his

coast

Jersey immediatelyrise

this amendment
hot.

No

cargo

of the

and

to

little inclined

any

that

New

been

streets

some

could

one

entitled

be

even

would

no

amendment

should

the

Bill.

the

had

ex-

gov-

The

their

on

admitted

measure

and
opposition,

eing Sloan

in

importers

objectionto

slaves.

which

driven

be

the

were
interest,

under

perhaps

members

in

Quaker

made

slave-trade

public auction

at

Boston

an

trader

with

scarcelybe

policy which

and

owner

an

slavery,could

to

nglanders,though

or

imbued

Pennsylvania Democrats,

The

Congress,1806-1807,

168.

would
were

the

to

public

358

HISTORY
We

"

is

no

doubt

Not

OF

Southern

could

again;

both

sides.

and

It

from

Binding

how
the

draw

for

to masters

and

more

is

bad

so

you

who

those
who

are

South,

seem

that

you

to

who

understand

must

be

from

the

done
as

blood

"you

cannot

ask

me

local

competent

of

informed

are

now,

Annals

Let

are.

anxious

revenue

said
great difficulty,''

Carolina

South

this business
way

than

them

members

legislatureson

of

the

into

got

stick where

those

anxious

Pennsylvania
Virginia

adjourned, resumed, adjourned

speakers were
although the Northern

of

hobbled.

inquireof

them.

coast

more

temper.

Williams

conduct

the

was

have

"You

The

propose.

interior,and

massacre

or

forbearing,the Southern
lost their

to

were
suggested,but objections

was

debate

The

the

citizens.

of years
on

the

Africa,because they

to

littlemore

were

to receive such

made

be returned

not

Ohio

and

what

not

re-enslave

tribes would

term

knew

brought from

all

were

by

15.

or

supported Early,and

members

members

negroes

must

CH.

they of us ; there
alternative
I leave it to gentlemen to be determined
; and
be pursued. There can
would
which
be no
course
I will speak out ; it is not my
this head.
on
tice
practo be mealy-mouthed on
a
subject of importance.
would
be left alive in a year."
of them
one

Northern

R.

STATES.

either get rid of them

must

The

UNITED

THE

what

Are

this

on

former

and

Congress,1806-1807, p.

tell you
over

occasion,
of
183.

not

guided
gentlemen

gentlemen

sweat

usual

not

subject,

the

you

they

The

; but
a

Do

they

judge?

and

on,

is the

subjects.
?

completely

are

go

David

the

to

mis-

SESSION

1307.

their

but

the

at

will

not

conduct

object

is to

continuance

of

their

that

Africans.

erable

OF

359

1806-1807.

that

say

this

is their

certainlyjustifiesa
such

pass

the

law

trade

for

the

suspicion

will

as

tive,
mo-

connive

emoluments

of

their constituents."

discussion

The

further

was

embittered

by

motion

the imporby Smilie of Pennsylvania to make

tation
of negroes
a
felony to be punished by death.

made

called
proposition

This

out

another

displayof Early's

frankness.
"We

have

be

can

considered

Without

be

asked," said he,1 " what

been

too

the

answering

sufficient to
How

subject.

they consider

question
it

answer

do

people

it such

for

severe

by

the

crime.

abstract, it

practicalview

consider

atrocious

an

atrocious

so

in

punishment

of

transaction?

the

crime?

the

Do
not."

do

They

will

had assumed
that
Pennsylvania philanthropists
they could at least follow Jefferson in holding slavery
The

to be

evil and

an

human

slave-trade

the

rights; but

these

even

to be

violation of

pointswere

longer

no

conceded.
"

All

Early,

the

people

are

concerned

"

as

criminal.

majority of people

slaveryas
The
three

even

an

in

the
in

...

in the

slavery.
Southern

not, then,

truth,

I will tell the

"

do not

States

rejectedby

almost
the
fifty-three,
delegationvoting in its favor.
to

Ammls

It is

sidered
con-

large

consider

evil."

death-penaltywas

States," continued

Southern

of

whole

vote

of

sixty-

Pennsylvania

Bid well of Massachu:

Congress,1806-1807, p.

238.

860

HISTORY

setts

then

shall

be

the

moved

sold

slave

by

CM.

"that

amendment,

an

as

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

no

York

New

seventeen

the

influence

the

Southern

includingthe

men,

Englanders in

ber
mem-

into
Northern

besides

men

with

Even

South.

the

threw

casting vote

after this

the time wasted

arguments

on

in

obstinacy;

out

and

found
and

the

Macon,
the

the

but

New

two

York

Speaker, by

his

amendment.

carried,notwithstanding

going over

and

side,the
Smilie

infinite

no

from

members

ernment
gov-

point was

either

like Sloan

genius, but

; while

slave-tradingagency

New

protest against turning the

this

the

of the

ten

Delaware, joinedthe Pennsylvaniansand

for

Men

by voting with

Six Southern

slave-owners.

showed

members

State

their

slaveryin

voted

and

nearly all
divided,sixtyagainst sixty,1

House

Pennsylvanianssupporting Bidwell,while
of

person

of this Act ; "

virtue

15.

one

again the

over

Bill made

were

not

resources

could fail to

no

same

progress.

giftedwith great
in their patient
that

see

the

true

Their first
with them.
sympathiesof the House were
to prevent the forfeiture of the negroes,
objectwas
forfeiture impliedtitle,
and the United
States
because

government

could

have

captivesin

mere

point the House

no
war

title in these
of barbarous

human

ings,
be-

tribes ; but

decidedlyagainst them,
and even
Josiah Quincy insisted that they were
wrong.
Forced
to yieldon the issue of forfeiture,
they resisted
with
the greater obstinacy the sale of the forfeited
were
so
obviouslysound
negroes ; and their objections
on

that

Annals

of

was

Congress,1806-1807, p.

267.

SESSION

spite of

iat in

and

mspense,

adverse

select

House

the

guide

knowledge

on

matter

conscientious-

the

preferred to

the

to throw

^committal
r6 to 46 ;

Bill into

20

January

the

down

sent

The

Senate

and
jported,

debates

those

Bill

hands.

January

during the

of the House

of

vote

for the

own

The

reported,and

was

at first.

Bill of its

in conciliation,

8, 1807, by

new
as

than

Northern

Jan.

ordered

was

strugglebegan again

mate

to

patientstolidityof Quaker
submitted, rather in defiance

inder

le

its recommittal

local,chafed

they

less, but

Bill in

the

consider

rhich

then

held

insisted that their

experience should

id

they

choice.

own

Southerners, who

The

361

1806-1807.

votes

secured

even

of their

committee

OF

28 the

same

session

purnot

were

reportedonly in

were

j, and

the Senate was

means
briefly
; but by some
persuaded to introduce one rigorousprovisioninto its
,

the
prohibiting

coastwise

vessels of less burden

;raft found

at

under

escape

with

sea

effective. The

At

no

across

the Florida

of negroes
to

and

maintain
the

boundary or
of
prohibition

in small
even

Senate

from

vessels
a

saw

no

be

could

the West

the coastwise

of

the
not

not

dobe
that

executed, which

smuggling

from

seemed

pretence

could
in

in

small

frankly said

likelyto

prevent slave-traders
the

Bill

members

Bill

that

of slaves

best, the

Southern

frame

; but

fortytons, so

cargoes

would

Islands

slave-trade

pretence of being engaged

icstic slave-trade.

theycould

than

domestic

necessary

negroes

Indian

transport
in order

stopping the trade,

to
objection

it.

362

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

15.

hesitated

House

painfullybetween
Pennsylvanian
and Virginian influence.
Very rarelydid the
Pennsylvanians assert themselves, and they did so
conscientious
with great moderation
they were
; but
behind them
not only the moral
and they had
men,
support of Jefferson,but also the steady influence of
determined
Secretary Gallatin,whose
hostilityto
the
slave-trade was
proved at every
slavery and
of his public life. When, Feb. 9, 1807, the
moment
in Committee
resumed
of the Whole, a
debate
was
majority began by voting in favor of the deathsection
penalty. The next question rose on a new
The
in regard to forfeitures.
Pennsylvania Bill
tured
provided that the forfeited negroes should be indenThe

for

of

term

in

years

free

some

State

Territory. The

seemed
reasonable
proposition
offence to the
calculated to give no

and
but

Early declared
States

lives.1

"

want

insurrections,no

government.
not

this

resistance

to

it

South

ern
Souththeir

no
rebellions,

no

authorityof

the

effect,
then, to

as

of the

self,
in it-

provision with

civil wars,

no

Give

this Bill

pass

resist

would

We

inhabitants

that the

or

this

wish, and

the
do

stands."

now

disturbed by an
Pennsylvaniapatiencewas
Irish by
outbreak
so
extravagant. Smilie,who was
birth, obliged Early to take back and explain away
Even

his

words

purpose,

but

the

flash

strugglethe Southern
1

Annals

of

answered

his

its

point. Throughout the

took the ground
representatives

Early carried

"

of temper

Congress,1806-1807,

p. 477.

SESSION

1807.

that

the

well

aware

subjectbelonged

do

wished

to

would

revolt

leave

the

in

Under

no

trade

death-penaltyin

State

the

negroes

; and

at

John

him

Senate
had

; he

final debate

His

Act

Quincy
by leavingto each
of the

forfeited

weary

of

the

antislaverytheories

the
the

would

did

silence
of the

one

House

being thus in
the

severe

adopted the Senate

his well-known

disagreed to

prohibitionof
that

order

Josiah

length,February 13,

quiet.

passed the

made

be

fate

the

to

as

reported,and the Bill

In

only in

Randolph had taken little part in

voted stea'dily
with the Southern
resentati
rep-

but

kept

that if

amendments.

some

Hitherto
debate

continue, the

even

dispute,the House

interminable

the

would

ended

House

decision

Bill with

venture

ing
circumstances,see-

Bidwell, but
The

them.

deserted

would

one

by the New Englanders,and

of the Pennsylvanians clung to the
spite of Quaker principles; while

only Barnabas

not

would

abandoned

Eleven

beaten.

were

measure

South, and

the law should

principle,

they were

but

stronger

the

Pennsylvanians naturallyargued
to assert

they

Bill; that they did

such

the

case

any

that

any

because

open,
Act.

the

that

that

publicopinion in

trade

enforce

to

them

to

stop the trade, although they

to

; but

so

363

1806-1807.

defects in the

of the

expect wholly

not

OF

;
came

amendments

up

Southern

coastwise

again

which

conference

their

report.
a'ttacked the

on

members

trade, the

their eyes vitiated.

not

of

committee

The

last.

not

whole

sure
mea-

Early declared

prevent the introduction

of

364
a

singleslave

Randolph

feared

He

lose

lest,at

Bill,he

the

session,he

had

emancipation;
lose

of the

the

establishment

the

provisioncontained

to blow

up

that if

ever

holding
have

the

should

the time

ever

depend

to

should

slaves, he

should

that the North

not

erect

itself into

of the

natural, for

deeply
than

the

on

Southern

the

into

the

all the

an

when

abolition
orators

He

the

"All

slave-

said

South

he

be

not

between

that

should

against

asked

society."The

was

mence
vehe-

in this instance

was

prohibitioncut

constitutional

far

more

rightsof slave-owners

provisionsof

other

States

the

neutral ; that it should

remain

coastwise

prophesied

for assistance

despair.

to

agree

would

but

Western,

North

since

passed

between

severance

come

rather

Bills of the

He

non-slaveholdingStates.

and

had

than

in ruins."

line of
and

Eastern

between

coastwise

slave-bill. It went

this

in

of disunion

time

arrive, the

should

if

the

Bill

every

government,

the Constitution

he

lose all the

rather

rather

had

the

that

15.

right of private property : l

it might be made
future period,

pretext of universal

the

asserted

CH.

the

touched
prohibition
"

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

Bill which

the

they

resisted ; yet on
and
successfully
obstinately
beaten
the division they were
by the large majority
of sixty-three
to forty-nine.New
York, which cared
had

so

slaves,cared less for

reverse^,its former vote.
The

little for the

the

and

Senate

26, 1807,

was

to the

sent

Annals

of

Annals

of

Constitution,

President.2

Congress,1806-1807, p.
Congress,1806-1807, p.

626.
635.

Bill,Feb.

SESSION

Randolph

That

should

is

be

In

mrse.

OF

and

other

deeply

their

State-rightsRepubli-

irritated

effort to

365

1806-1807.

was

the

tone

of

matter

Bill to

make

it

opinions of slaveholdingcommunities, they

their strength and
exhausted
the public patience;

wit

id

the

they found

almost

warrant

ith

precedent slippedupon
any

interference
legislative

slavery. Randolph, alive

which
igislation
introduced

touched

Bill

to

which

them,

to

the

his class

explain

and

bearings of

all

at
interests,

once

amend

Act.

the

its reference.
The
Quincy promptly moved
laywas
February 27, and in another week the Ninth
Congresswould expire. Randolph opposed the referof his Bill,
urged the immediate
rice, and
passage
)ut was
defeated by a vote of sixty to forty-nine.
[is Bill
ras
lever

even

was

made

taken

referred to the
an

order

House

in committee

for the next

day, but

it

; it
was

up.

Randolph declared the hope that should his Bill

the Virginia delegation
would
wait on the Presitil,
lent and remonstrate
against his signing the Act for
the Slave Trade
such step was
'inhibiting
; but no
Jefferson apiken, and March
2, 1807, President
"roved this alarming measure.
He
at least had no
mstitutional
scruples,and paid no attention to the
The only result of the long sec;ruplesof others.
tional
to disgust the Southern
strugglewas
Republiand their Pennsylvanian allies alike ; while, so
ms
IT from
obtaining a law which should suit Southern
of the slave-trade,
the pride
their Act shocked

366
and

threatened

the

South.

to

the

temper.

The

and

confidence
field for

an

of

will, opened
The

obstacle

the

as

the

them

last

in it

saw

the
the

butt

only

of the

to

That

and

house,

like Smilie

of
ordinaryrepresentatives
beneath

serious

as

range,

men

an

they

proportion.

range,

was

like

men

where

fragments; and

temper

mole-hill.

boundless

seemed

mountain

they reached the

impassable chasms, where
at

largely
giving self-

of

sense

in

were

weakness

distant mountain

dash

step would

chief

their

15.

ward
after-

was

strength of

trippedthem

mole-hill which

false

of command,

except

sense

every

The

habit

Early was

and

slave-owner

State-rights,
party

vigor

CH.

what

Southern, or

extravagances.

Randolph
had

of the

STATES.

of every

property

as

known
due

the

disasters

The

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

when

with

its

helpless,
they
like Sloan,
and

Findley,

intellectual mediocrity

the

Pennsylvanian average,
should
habitually end in carrying their points,in
singular and unexpected ways, against the ablest
and
the most
of New
leaders
England Federalism
giftedmasters of Virginianoratory ; that they should
end by giving
root up everythingin their path, and
somewhat

country the characteristics of their own

partly due, not to
common-place existence, was

to the whole

"

their
which
own

the

energy
their

wisdom,

talents,but

of

want

but

result, and

State in New

their

or

the

contempt

genius inspired. Not

their

overthrew

England

to

their

decided
antagonists'errors
and
successivelyChurch

and

slave-owningoligarchy

OF

SESSION

iroughouthalf
jould

learn

not

aspectsthe

most

Randolph,

produced by

certainlythe

generation,and

his

John

patience.
giftedman

Southern

The

continent.

the

367

1806-1807.

one

the

lass,flung away

advantages

of every

ittemptingto punish his opponents,"

had

ire

dth

rats

was

stopped

hey
it

had

made

and

to

most

of his

by

though
the

the

tortoise

annihilate

not

them,

upon

well-defined

no

inert

wanted

they

did

impression

no

they gravitated like

What

md

contempt

leaders

no

who

Pennsylvania Demodid
strength; sarcasm

and

; social

South

success

as

beat

to

race

the

of

of time

waste

defeats

his

Punishment

whip.

lot affect them

icm

in

in many

faults

peculiarqualitiesand

exaggeratedthe

gentry

weights

they

to

were

policy,
an

sure

librium
equiin

the

get.

Randolph's disappointment in regard to the slaveAfter dominil was

but a singleexample of a law.
leeringover the House during the whole session,and
its acts, he atcharacter
impressinghis own
upon
it into a quarrelwith
jmpted at the end to coerce
Bill for repealing the salt-tax and
Senate.
A
le
Fund
sent to the
was
jontinuingthe Mediterranean
ite,and
tent

which

jnts

it.

Senate

the

reduced

bushel

Usage

)f conference

the

to twelve

and

"riginalBill,and

with

it back

duty

on

cents, without

House
he

be

appointed;

should

carried

amend-

an

salt from

twenty

ing
wholly abolish-

courtesy requiredthat

should

insisted that the

sent

but

committee

Randolph

abruptlyadhere to its
his point by the large

368

HISTORY

THE

OF

UNITED

STATES.

Cn.

majorityof ninety-threeto twenty.1 The

the challenge,and in its turn voted
The
in

Bill

force,producing
the

two

lost ; and

was

hundred

reached

when

be

given

into

drawn
their

The

next

the

subject;

day

this

step;

committee

and

in

this

adhere.

continued

thousand

lars,
dol-

point February 26,

passed against

allowed

members

before

votes

salt-tax

slave-bill was

the

Randolph'sprotest.
The
Pennsylvania
to

to

cepted
ac-

Fund, producing one million

tation.
dollars,must expire by limi-

thousand

day

same

the

five hundred

some

Mediterranean

Congress
the

while

Senate

15.

but

waking
was

themselves

they
to

moved

had

their
to

spite of

hardly
mistake.

reconsider

strances,
Randolph's remonthe motion
carried by sixty to forty,
was
Pennsylvania!!changing his vote.
Randolph,
every
exasperatedto the last degree,attempted to block the
the new
Bill was
taken
measure
by obstinacy. When
of the whole
House
February 28, he
up in committee
consumed
the day in dilatorymotions, calling the
until he could no
longer induce one
yeas and
nays
fifth of the members
in asking for
to support him
them.
The
House
in the
sat until
half-pastone
at last the Bill came
to a vote,
morning ; and when
Randolph and his friends left the House without
a
was
quorum.2 After several counts, a quorum
reported,and the Bill was
passed ; but the yeas and
not taken, and
exwere
suspicionswere
nays
many
1

Annals

Diary of

of

Congress,1806-1807,

J.

Q. Adams, i.

464.

p. 635.

OF

SESSION

that

"ressed

fevertheless

law

became

influence
had

time

against

This

be

longer

no

last

of

day

'inkney
to

;mpt
not

treaty

lomestic

VOL.

of

succeeded

should

affairs.

in.

24
"

the
his

Washington

that

the

Democrats

the

at

of

Virginia

The

on

liberal

many
see

from

commerce.

and

when,

Congress,

bringing

party
;

Congress

with

oligarchy

Ninth

the

his

unite

felt

postponed.

England

from

"rived

of

destroying

the

situation

the

was

in

ended

alliance

victory

moment

Pennsylvanians
an

England

could

id

the

when

come

New

of

conduct

and

last

present.

their

won

the

at

Randolph's

session.

"wn

Pennsylvanians

the

Bill

the

actually

not

was

quorum

369

1806-1807.

another

years

on

messenger

Monroe

and

President's

ai-

domestic

were

session

policy
to

pass

devoted

fore
be-

to

CHAPTER

XVI.

the

summer

of 1806

carrying Burr

and

his insane

WHILE

in

Armstrong

Paris

was

adventurer,whose

of another

passingin America,
General
projectsto failure,
watching the progress
dark
as
as
plans were
was

ent
geniuswas of a very differorder.
garding
Talleyrand'smysterious instructions reFlorida
were
given to Armstrong early in
Ulm
capitulatedOctober 17 ; the
September,1805.
battle of Trafalgar was
fought October 21. Napoleon
of the Continent,and
master
thenceforward
was
2 Napoleon won
December
England of the ocean.
26
battle of Austerlitz,and
December
the decisive
he signed the treaty of Pressburg which
humbled
of

those

whose

Burr, but

Austria.
The

task than

harder

had

seemed
and

often

man

of the world

movement

men

of

wit

to

swept

to

rest.

His

plans sometimes

but

the

effort behind

keep

His

or

; and

succeeded
the failure

while

behind
had

never

abreast

Europe like

over

success

; but

of repose

moments
never

lagged
of

schemes
many
and

active

diplomatistsa

Napoleon.

; but

so

the

Other

Napoleon's mind
were

developed,

storm-centres.

sometimes

failed,

equallyimplieda greater
Armstrong and his brother

BERLIN

THE

371

DECREE.

speculatedabout the Emperor's motives

diplomatists
vising
in pursuing one
object,the Emperor was
already deand using new
machinery for gaining another,
with
the close of the war
At
Austria, Armstrong
needed to learn whether
Napoleon stillwanted money,
the
sale of Florida,
whether
Talleyrand favored
whether
the treaty of Pressburg had or had not left
affairs where
American
of these
they were
; and none
self,
questionscould be answered
except by Napoleon himwho
in schemes
which
was
alreadyfar advanced
could fathom, and which
one
no
largelydepended for
their

success

them

from

could

only

1805-1806, while

Armstrong

had

Talleyrand

returned

More

Napoleon

he

condition

at

Paris

to

back

from

had

levied

into which

France.

the

Tuileries

The

Emperor

and

26,

absolute,

more

Vienna

and

Jan.

midnight

at

ever

rich

with

the

in

Germany, but angry

Marbois
had
brought the

Within

this revolution
American

upon

friend

winter

he

twelve
called
and

after

hours
a

council

riving
ar-

of

his

appointed Mollicn

place.

That

for not

the

Through

do.

to

ministers,disgraced Marbois,
in his

conceal

John

nothing

came

Treasury of

wait.

powerful than

contributions
at the

he could

layed
Randolph's oppositiondeinstructions to the minister at Paris,

Madison's

1806.

which

Jefferson.

Armstrong
of

the skill with

on

only was
of

the

in the Cabinet

interests

Marbois
United

an

was

honest

States, but

had

more
man

the

ing
bear-

some

than
and

likely;
a

warm

weight

that

372

dragged
of

OF

HISTORY

him

down

THE

and

Napoleon'swars
threw

debt

of
Bank

In

the

the

and

her

to

the

dangerous

empire

Spain. Spain might

;

of

and

every

the

of

arrears

be

16.

weight

shortlytold.1
inconvenient

class into

of coin

want

issued

be

CH.

general

supply

the

merchants,

mands
dethe

of paper

amounts

support these issues speciehad

To
;

mercantile

the

than

story may

repudiationof

Emperor

of France

money.

The

the French

bankruptcy.

STATES.

nothing less

was

Spanish finances.

UNITED

to be obtained

which

produced speciewas
forced to give up her treasures

subsidy alone would

if

paid

add

Yet the treasures of

greatlyto Marbois's resources.
shut in Mexico
and Peru ; they could be
Spain were
brought to Europe only under danger of capture ; and
lars
a means
by which ten or twenty million Mexican dolthe gauntlet of British cruisers and
could run
reach in safetythe Bank
of France was
of
matter
a
necessityto Marbois.
The ordinary business of the Treasury in discounts
and
conducted
contracts
was
through a firm called
the
Negotiants re*unis,"
consistingof three capitalists,
Messrs. Ouvrard, Desprez, and Yanlerberghe.
Ouvrard,the most active of the three,went to Madrid;
and by lendingassistance to the sorelypressed Treasury
and trade of Spain induced
the Spanish government
the privilegeof importing bullion
to give him
from Mexico
at the rate of seventy-five
the
cents
on
dollar.
The
risk of importation was
worth
twenty"

"

five per

cent
1

on

any

; but

cargo

Thiers,Consulat

et

Ouvrard

Empire, vi. 30.

meant

to

THE

all risk.

?scape

He

with
irtnership
and

Hopes

proposed
[exico

BERLIN

South

draw

involving
itself through

of Amsterdam

to

the

in settlement

United

the

less

getting no
States

dollars from

States

United

London

and

five million

some

America

besides
spoliations,
lollars from

of his own,

plans

the British government

by giving

Irafts on

had

Barings

to

373

DECREE.

government

of the
than

Spanish

ten

million

government

for the

Fondas.
The
in

unnamed

to Armstrong
negotiatorwho came
structi
September,1805, with Talleyrand'sautograph inwas

whose

errand

Meanwhile

an
was

agent of Marbois
known

doubtless

to

and

Ouvrard,

the

Emperor.

the

Treasury,the Bank, and the "Ne'gociants re*unis" supported each

other
counts,
by loans, disand indorsements, largelyresting on
Spanish
face as well as they could against
bonds, and made
commercial
and Napoleon's arbitrary
embarrassments
calls for great sums
of coin ; but the Treasury,being
in truth the only solvent member
of the partnership,
must
ultimatelybe responsiblefor the entire loss
whenever
should
matters
to liquidation.
come
This was
the state of the .finances when, Jan. 27,
before
1806, Napoleon called Marbois and Ouvrard
him.
No one
charged criminalityon any of the parties
the

to

blame, and
men

who

wrong,

"

affair.

In

that person
served
and

such

in fact

truth
was

one

the

masters

alone

person

Emperor
were

to

was

himself

always

; but

in

the

Marbois, Ouvrard, Desprez,and

Vanlerbergheaccepted their

fate.

Marbois

was

dis-

374

HISTORY

while

graced ;

the

all their

going

THE

OF

UNITED

three

others

property

Yincennes, with

to

STATES.

obliged to

were

under

Cn.

1G.

render
sur-

alternative

the

its memories

of

of

Due

the

d'Enghien.
The

of Marbois

dismissal

had

no

So

far

effect

immediate

at

the

Emperor's well-known

questionsin which
of

middle

All

points

instant

in

order

from

of
interposition

the

will take

himself

upon
the

form

the

on

sudden
but

and

if,on
or

the

of

by

the

the

alternative,

decision

her

to

is not

able

be

determination

this Cabinet, the

alreadytaken,
the

been

or
more

his

Majesty

to

be

tioned
ques-

give

Should

to

it

this

spontaneous,

to

prevent

being
been

is

Madison, Feb. 17, 1806; MSS.

State

tated
dic-

strong

will present

hostility. Of
probable."

any

taken

either

presumption
and

dor,
ambassa-

feelings,there

from
have

the

on

immediate

to

proper

policy and

own

submission

That

important.

I may

conjectures, the latter is

Armstrong

and

his Catholic

Spanish

King.

hand, it should

is
"

Archives.

alarm

some

solicit the

to

think

may

that

other

invited

the

by

mediation

the
he

unfavorable

that

tling
set-

In the

submitted

part of Spain have

believe

to

between

were

and

point equallydoubtful

reason

in

wrote

his Court

Emperor

growing merely out

is

States

to this Government

; but

interest.

an

controversy

United

the

an

movement

had

styleof

"

and

with

negotiation.

the

Majesty

he

February Armstrong

to Madison

is

Florida

discouraging Armstrong's hopes, they

first likelyto bring about some
arbitrary

decision,after

14th

the

on

of Ouvrard

from

seemed

44

the ruin

and

the

only
two

ment
Depart-

the

For

for

resource

as

struggling

was

finances,he held Florida

of his

with the confusion

reserve

Napoleon

while

moment,

375

DECREE.

BERLIN

THE

1806.

extremity. Armstrong

told
or
semi-officially
officially

that

the

Emperor

in
was

posed
sup-

pute
Spanish-Americandisof both
to be regularlybefore him
by consent
long interview with his
parties.1He had another
who
unnamed
ish
pressed him to accept Spannegotiator,
the whole

drafts

South

on

of the

matter

in

America

and
Spanish spoliations,
obstinacy that Florida was

who

for

dollars

all this

During
word

had

time

but

which

"

13, 1806

to write

in effect

were

not

the instructions
This
of March

Miranda

"

although
1

law

to

million

heard

not
was

March

"

13

contained

contained

signatureFeb.

did

the

Madison

projectof

sign
a

vention.2
con-

accompanied by another
an
explanation of the

be understood

of

duct.
Yrujo's conwith
St. Domingo,
to have proceeded

long complaints

Madison, March

Two-

long-delayed

9, 1806; MSS.

State

ment
Depart-

Archives.
2

Madison

Armstrong
State Department Archives.
to

leyrand's
acceptance of Tal-

an

prohibitingtrade

it must

Armstrong

ten

structio
long-delayedin-

President's

despatch was

affair and

the

The

the

until

which

15, which

The

much

the minister

While

begun

received

; but

had

Armstrong

profferedterms.
Million Act

worth

with

whispers of imperialpolicyat Paris,

these

to
listening

Madison

well

his Government.

from

argued

States.

United

the

to

payment of the claims

and

Bowdoin,

March

13, 1806; MSS.

876

HISTORY

not

from

France, and
which

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

requisitionon
rightful

any

still less from

16.

the part of

of

manner

CH.

pressing it

justlyhad a contrary tendency,"

enclosed
in the despatch, with
instructions
to
was
sound
the French
government in the hope of inducing
to the traffic.
Napoleon to lay aside his objections
The
packet sailed at once ; and after a voyage of
the usual length arrived in France
in time to bring
the despatches,May 1, to Armstrong's hands.
No
peror's
apparent change had then taken place in the Emof labor
plans; but during the three months
might

since

his

have

from

return

restoringorder
before.

to

Austria

his finances

he

had

and

succeeded
richer

was

in
than

The

Spanish government sent to Paris

Senor Izquierdo as specialagent to make
a certain
a
financial arrangement with
Napoleon; and through
him much
business was
done unknown
to the department
which
over
Talleyrandpresided. In short the
situation had
changed, although no one, even
among
the Emperor's immediate
household,knew what had
taken place.
In pursuance
of the secret memorandum
in Talleyrand's
handwriting,Armstrong, May 1, sent a note
to the Foreign Office in the language of his instructions.
Talleyrand acted promptly ; May 2 he carried
cussing
disArmstrong's note to Napoleon'scloset.1 Without
the Emperor said :
the matter
I have some
ever

"

papers
1

in relation to that business

Armstrong

Department

to

Madison

Archives.

which

you

(private),
May 4, 1806;

have
MSS.

not
State

THE

1806.

The

seen."

Florida s, with

from

declaration
would

importance

he

Don

Spain, and

to

that

of

their

prove

alienate them

to

consent

to

IV.

Carlos

charts

and

maps

given

were

papers

arguments

many

naval

and

in

consisted

S77

DECREE.

these

day

next

They

him.

BERLIN

on

the
tary
mili-

formal

account

no

either

to

sale

by

or

otherwise.

Talleyrand immediatelysent for the American

told him

and

weeks

before,with
had

Armstrong
in the

was

what

had

Emperor's hands

Florida.

second

be

must

If the
false.

Though I have
said he, "yet I am

"

existence
it may

; and

at

that

assured

been

this

not
not

3 he

the
the
was

the

the

found

be

consent

to

the

much.

as

paper,"

on

that

much

in

the

true

were

overture

been

of the
told

less assured
not

matter

suddenly

hinted

Armstrong
seen

whole

account

no

few

seriousness,

request

first story

if I have
moment

by

Only

of

equal appearance

Spanish government. May

that King Charles would
on
alienate

occurred.

ister
min-

it had

deceived,
of
portfolio

M. Ouvrard."
"

the

That

may

less true

be," repliedTalleyrand;
that

circumstances

entire 'change in the

have

"

but

it is not

produced

of Spain." Then,
dispositions

an
as

though to protect himself from the charge of deception

by making a counter-chargeagainstArmstrong,
he suddenlyhinted that Armstrong's own
conduct
had
much
to do with alarming the pride of Spain.
"

Do

you

know,"
to

said

the Prince

he,
of

"

that Mr.

Peace

the

Erving

has

confidential

municated
com-

propo-

378

HISTORY

sitions

of

which

and

summer,

it would

as

the

may

trust

believe

anger
; but

might

"

own

high

so

of

being

so

in

that
that

continued

solemn

that
an

man

the

and

in his narrative

propositionsto

injunctions of
to

office could

ishment
aston-

whom
so

Mr.

secrecy.

his country

violate
flagrantly

"

diverted

was

suppose

seeing
clear,

most

confusion

my

confided

had

sacred ?

so

His

his

Bowdoin,

Mr.

purpose

express

readilyimagine
discovery,"he
the

committed

has

from

derived

last

"

under

Could

for the

"I

Madison.

Bowdoin
,

were

depositary

16.

unexpected shock, coming instantlyafter

thunderstruck.
other, Armstrong was
at this

to

they

the

made

CH.

this

You

"

were

appear

STATES.

UNITED

you

that

communicated

At

THE

OF

from

Talleyrandto

league
his col-

spite of this successful diversion,one

in anger, of
Armstrong capable,even
not
altogether
Talleyrand's story was
he was
tryingto distract attention from

failures.

closelyOuvrard's scheme was brought to

of
to take the form
light,the more
clearlyit seemed
an
intrigueor a job. The notorious corruptionthat
surrounded
Talleyrand explained the favor shown
peror
it by the French
Foreign Office;but neither the Emruled in
the King of Spain was
of France nor
and Armstrong began
such
matters
by subordinates,
the
Government
of making his own
to feel the error
of Ouvrard's
instrument
speculations.Too deeply
involved to draw back he took refuge in caution,and
little as
he
said even
to the Secretaryof State as
The

more

THE

379

DECREE.

avoided

all,he

Above

mid.

BERLIN

reference

possible

to

)rruptioninvolved in the bargain. His colleague

garrulityhad already annoyed him,
"wdoin, whose
but wrote
to
lid not imitate Armstrong's reticence,

lad stimulated
million

one

had

been

The

two

of the

hundred

seven

divided

in

Amsterdam,
from

son-in-law,and
of transfer

highest point
traced
lived

in

former

at

business

with

came

held
the

or

Francis

of

ing's
Bar-

to hold

pretended

Prince

letter

Peace.

The

the

propositions could be
Cazeneau, Parker's friend, who
Some

that

new

time

afterward

negotiatorhad

appeared,
"

who

came

caused

delicate nature,
than

much

M.

well

brother, in which
so

many

to

uneasiness

suggested that

money

thought
With

who

Skipwith,the American
Paris, and after explainingthat the X. Y. Z.
and the jealousyof the American
ment
govern-

had

He

from

concerned.

private secretary to Talleyrand,

Dautremont,
consul

who

dollars

by Daniel Parker, agent

Talleyrand'shouse.
added2

Bowdoin
"

one

individuals

Labouchere, Sir

which

to

to

was

least cared

thousand

ten

the

offered

were

of recommendation

powers

and

among

Floridas

Hopes

Jefferson

the Louisiana stock,he said,1

on
profits
jobbery; fifteen per cent discount on

The

know.

facts which

the

President

he

to

of

in matters

other

observation

land-grants

Skipwith might
different persons

less

means

be

might
to

take
and

of this
posed
ex-

devised.

Talleyrand's
a

share.

interests in-

Bowdoin

to

Jefferson,
May 20, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

Bowdoin

to

Oct. 20, 1806; Jefferson MSS.

Jefferson,

380

HISTORY

volved

in

THE

OF

Floridas

the

would

weeks

and

OH.

the

from

After

matter.

Talleyrand quietlyinstigatedthe

minister
of

to

request,which

his

renew

25 ; l and

16.

claims, Armstrong

single rebuff

end

not

STATES.

the

that

might feel confident

Emperor

UNITED

the

few

American
done

was

by

28

Armstrong received in
his Majesty'swishes
of
reply an official assurance
the controversy amicably terminated, and his
to see
readiness to lend himself to that object." Talleyrand
but in haste ; for on the same
not only in earnest
was
in
day, May 28, he wrote to M. de Vandeul, who was
charge of the French
embassy at Madrid, a cautious
note

May

May

"

letter of

said,2seemed

he

He

Spain.

with

You

"

this

that you

of

he

may

said.

make

use

Americans, because
which

have

States.

another

interceptAmerican

Armstrong

to

be

must

of

their

of

Florida,

accessible

order

since

the

the

rivers

United

situated,can

so

the

Province

by land,
would

Madison, Oct. 10, 1806;

by

several

within

course

States

desired

warmly

; and

in

on

conversations, that

the mouths

Power

commerce

tell you,

only

of it in your

thinlypopulated and very

presumed that the United
1

need

official opinion

no

express

it closes

great part

Under

negotiations

renew

pointsin dispute,and
arrangement, including

an

"

part of the Floridas

this

ment,
govern-

Florida.

will have, sir,to

point,"

States

the

over

ran

cession of West

the

disposed to

outlines

the

sketched

United

The

instructions.

it is to

seize

MSS.

the

State

is
be
first

ment
Depart-

Archives.
2

Talleyrand to Vandeul, May 21, 1806;

MSS.
"tr.,

Archives,

des

Aff.

BERLIN

THE

t806
his

colony, she

Yandeul

the

despatch and

this

making
brings very

valuable

more

G. W.

with

little

possession

and

Erving,the

with

ican
Amer-

friendly zeal

he

negotiation. Taking Talleyrand's

Armstrong's note, a
guidance, he

for his
whom

Peace, with

much

Madrid

at

into

inclosed

be

propositions ;
in

Florida, which

intimate

was

charge
entered

remark

to

preserving

on

States."

United

the

or

her, would

to

evenue

have

would

is that West

rrangement

bent

listen to the American

may

she

,ud all that

is not

Spain

If

for invasion.

"retext

381

DECREE.

had

he

was

Prince

the

to

went

conversation

long

of which

copy

of

June

18, 1806.
u

Excellencythe truth," he
Talleyrand,1"I ought to inform

tell your

To

day

to

Prince

of

Peace

appears

excessivelyopposed
I should

him

to

Spain
of

one

to

less

not

old

relations

United

the

Prince's

that

the

this state

interests

good

the

between

them

faith ; and

that

long time
1

of

of

without

Vandeul.

MSS.
"tr.,

to

should

States, even

pronounced
Nevertheless

of

matter
be

things was
two

in

countries

under

the

this mode

ions
opinwhich
I did

asked

were

no

He

commerce

safeguard
of

only

is

pended
sus-

answered

prejudicial to

way

; that

terest
in-

between

admitting (for this

to official forms.

as

the

general

restored

that they
allegations)

for the moment

me

it

next

that

passionate ideas, and

think

did

you

the

views
conciliatory

bring him
the

the

the

find in him.

he

and

to

to

whether
that

me

wished

have

best

my

to hold

to

wrote

existence

tinued
con-

of

reciprocal
might last a

disquietingSpain."

Talleyrand,June

19, 1806; Archives

des Aff.

382

HISTORY

Yandeul
for

THE

OF

obliged to

was

reconciliation

UNITED

the

urge

the

and

STATES.

CH.

Emperor's
made

advance

16.

wish

strong
by Arm-

at Paris.

Thereupon Godoy suddenlychanged

At bottom," said he, we
his tone.
are
quiteready
to see
where
out ; you
sure
asthey want to come
may
Vandeul
thanked
him, and
your Court of that."
that he hoped the Prince would
added
be pleasedto
have the matter
Well, granted
negotiatedat Paris.
Godoy ; I see no inconvenience
again ! answered
Your
in consentingto that."
Excellency authorizes
M. de Talleyrandby my first despatch?"
to inform
me
By your first despatch."
ately
immediGreatly pleased at his success, Yandeul
he
wrote
to Talleyrand. A few days afterward
view
returned
of Peace, and in a long interto the Prince
whole
undertook
to dispose of the
subject.1
Godoy objectedchieflythat as yet no official representation
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

had

made

been

on

which

the

Government

of

Spain could act. Yandeul

urged that Armstrong's
sufficient
and
note
Talleyrand'sinstructions were
had
proof that the Americans
changed their tone
and

In

system.

his

all the

expressing his opinion on

includingthe
"

that
open,
had
1

Then
I

Prince

the

asked

cession

and

of West
gave

in

way

told
friendly,
previouslyauthorized me
but

Yandeul

MSS.
fitr.,

even

to

me

Talleyrand,June

upon

points in dispute,

Florida.

entirelyto
that

manner

insisted

he

earnestness

to

renew

to write

the

accession

found

not

to you

to you,

and

23, 1806; Archives

what
to

des

only
he
add
Aff.

THE

ministerial

mt

suitable
/ourt

both

views

he

Godoy

hurried
far

Armstrong.
had

Spanish

American

minis-

definite arrangement,

States."

; and

Prince

the

he

had

time

motive

every

the

for

spoke the

Erving. The American

friendlyto Spain, believed

from

no

and

of

taken

tell

Armstrong
lost

well, and

to the

that

to

honest

was

and

United

convinced

was

chargS,though

who

the

decidedly be

intentions

conciliation

of

dispute with

truth,and

the

Highness

to your

Vandeul

that

of

383

DECREE.

should

measures

expression

"rs, with

the

BERLIN

Spanish imbroglioseemed

doubt

no

in

to

hastened

to

that

notify

all

was

consulting Talleyrand,

feel

of

sure

the verge

on

The

success.

of

friendly

settlement.
of melodrama
Suddenly occurred one of the scenes
to which
the Emperor's servants
accustomed.
were
When
Talleyrandbrought VandeuTs
despatch to his
into a passion. Rebuking
master, Napoleon broke
Talleyrandsharplyfor having pressed the matter in
its first stages,he threatened
to degrade and
punish
Vandeul
he
ordered
Talleyrand not only to
; and

reprimand
but

himself

His

orders

obedience
Vandeul
and
when
1

his
to

meddle

were

which
was

no

more

the

severest

with

instantlyfollowed
marked

manner,

subject.1

the

with

the

the

Emperor's
still congratulatinghimself
on

waiting for
despatch

letter of

arrived

Armstrong to Madison,
Archives.

in

subordinate

Oct.

which

service.
his

approval from
shivered

10, 1806; MSS.

blind

his
State

cess,
suc-

Paris,

diploment
Depart-

384

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

16.

matic

word
of explanation,
a
triumph. Without
the reproof he had
been
Talleyrand administered
ordered
told that he had gone
to give. Yandeul
was
altogether
beyond his instructions : 1
"

To

"

to be

less

pleasure the

of

return

countries; but

two

few

In

at

.while he

has
in

is

been

States

United

; but

take

only
his

are

will communicate

of

sharper

seek

as

orders.
their

to

the

false

marked

are

The

intentions
the

to

believe

to

of
for

out

it

step, that

Spain

and

is to

be

the
sired
de-

negotiation,and
for you,

out

United

his

system which

the

of

opening

ter
minis-

from

marked

That

place

mediation

reconciliation

the

States

Peace

it before

charge yourself with

Talleyrand

of

one

be resumed.

take

instructions

under

of

after

to them

steps

Majesty's

cannot

and

United

instructions

effect

can

should

leave
such

the

Prince

done

the

others

forsaken

the

be

exceed

such

to the

received

even

leading

inevitablydraws
has

the

means

negotiationshould

overtures

not

you

and

between

what

another

came

the

that

everythingwould
;

you

with

see

"

Government,

"

more

demanding

France,

ciate
asso-

him

will

judge

can

to

respective interests."

their

Paris, in making

that

alone

days afterward

reprimand

be

good understanding

they

suit

reconciliation

He

results.

the

for

responsible

Governments

two

Majesty's eyes would

quarrels and to render

his

all their

in

these

negotiationsof

opened under
him

or

the

cause

States

each

and

such

"

Spain
You

other.

always embarrassing

Vandeul, July 3, 1806;

Aff.

Archives

des

Archives

des Aff.

"tr.,MSS.
2

Talleyrand to Vandeul, July 12, 1806;

"r.,MSS.

BERLIN

THE

1806.

of

functions

intermediarywithout

an

it ; for

do

to

385

DECREE.

thorized
being formallyau-

Government

the

whether

this

step is consistent

moment

and

with

alone

its interests

with

it has

general plan

the

know

can

of

the

formed

for

itself."

of this

the words

That

taken

despatch were

from

than likely.Talleyrand's
Emperor's lipsis more
the exact
notes always repeated as nearly as possible

the

expressionsof

his master; and

the

expressionsof

this

Napoleoniceven in their confusion of facts

and ideas. Above
all,the concludingsentence, which
was
probably as mysterious to Talleyrandas to the
the proceeding with the peculAmericans, marked
iar
No one
but himself
stamp of Napoleon'smind.
should
the cession
of Florida
wa"
judge whether
note

"

were

with

consistent

with

the

he

for

time, July 12, 1806, Talleyrand

learned

the
that

inconsistent

Spainand
doubt

first

Napoleon

with

the

at

he

approached. Another
in

form

for himself."

generalplan which

generalplan had

same

this reticence

came

had

States ; yet he

Emperor's conduct
From

formed

completereconciliation

the United

that

had

and

moment

general plan

Probably
was

interests of the

his

more

least

could

no

longer

controlled

far back

as

between

as

May

the
1.

fall
might infer that his own
proof that his credit waned

gracious,but

Napoleon conferred
The
Ex-Bishop of

on

him

Autun

not
an

less convincing.

Italian

became

pality.
princi-

Prince

of

every

de-

Benevento.
Had
VOL.

Armstrong
in."

25

been

allowed

to

know

386

OF

HISTORY

tail of this

THE

UNITED

he could
transaction,

STATES.
not

have

CH.

16.

penetrated
kept in

Napoleon's secret ; but for weeks he was

of Peace
that the Prince
dense
ignorance. Aware
that Izquierdo
informed
had consented
to negotiate,
and was
authorized
to proceed,
had
received powers
his
Armstrong still found an invisible barrier across
path, frivolous difficulties of form and unmeaning
"

references

Madrid,

to

At

remove.

Marshal

hint

Duroc,

who

stood

which

"

from

as

Talleyrand he went to
and
ties,
abilihigh character

of

man
near

effort of his could

no

the

as

nearest

to the

peror,
Em-

conducting with Izquierdo the

Spanish negotiationswhich Napoleon had taken from
who

and

was

Talleyrand. Duroc
; and

America

well

seemed

through

him

Armstrong

putting into Napoleon'shands

the

between
it

States

United

toward

succeeded

in

projectof a treaty
ing
Spain. After readquietly returned it,

the

and

the Emperor
attentively,

without

disposed

word.

strong
impenetrablemystery, ArmHe
of forcing the Emperor's hand.
dreamed
could at least,by an official note, compel Talleyrand
tion
and Izquierdo either to act or to explain their inacFoiled

again by

from

; but

and

might

do

this

this

Duroc,

harm,

but

step

he

who

reasoned

could

do

was

no

dissuaded
that

precipitancy

good.

Talleyrand wrote a despatch1 to

understood
Washington ; and if Turreau

Meanwhile
at

reau

Talleyrand to

"tr.,MSS.

leyrand
Tal-

by

Turreau, July 31, 1806; Archives

Tur-

des

its
Aff.

THE

1806.

BERLIN

meaning, his insight was

of Benevento

Prince

varied
the threat
"His

States,

times
like

peace

in

Europe.

to

commerce,

fortune

and

if,comparing

can

promise
in

bear

Take

care,

that

campaign

true

interests

would

Emperor
to

demand

the

employ

his

between

without

himself

other

empire, ought
whatever
a

the

to

as

made

the

two

forward

fix

his

States
an

whole
and

evidence

also

can

of

events

of

the
their

position,
to this dis-

themselves

to

Majesty

the

with

Spain,

re-establishment

as

aid.

in the views

true

Powers.

not

are

their

to

his

on

the

neighbors ;

sense

bound

interests,which

United

reconciliation

in their discussions

perfect harmony
where

have

offices for

good

the

in

colony,they

States

them

not

that

interested

gone

of

news

States,

colonies

inspiredthem.

they

putting

United

had

takes

first,they

the

suffice to make

to intervene

of

all

at

United

their

that

the

quarrels

are

always

the

she

The

at

the

though they

even

by

with

has

which
have

may

that
has

whom

it with

success

sir,to maintain

last

it

force

Europe

with

remark

America

(reconnaltre)that

conciliation

of

their

themselves

mind

alone, and

to wish

reason

structi
in-

threat ; but

to

in

to slumber

have

they

of this

prosperityFrance
in

the

"

pained

Spain,

of

:
significant

most

revive

their

owe

and

should

"

that

tone

caress

be

that

"

than

The

was

whose

to

interest,

which

would

contributed,

beginning

are

himself.

last,and

Majesty

United

clearer

between

came

387

DECREE.

His

of

Majesty,
in

mediator

and

stances
circumhis

directlyconcern

attention, will regard

Spain
of

do

may

friendship

toward

toward

himself."

to

Sept.25, 1806, the Emperor returned

begin a war with Prussia which was

to

Germany

to

lead

him

388

HISTORY

His

far.

departure put

Armstrong
States

UNITED

THE

OF

in

still

end

an

STATES.

to

cherished,while

CH.

whatever

it left the

16.

hopes
United

mortifyingattitude. After having been

defied by Spain,Jefferson found himself deluded
by
France.
No imagination could conceive the purpose
for which
the United
to use
States
Napoleon meant
government ; but that he had some
scheme, to which
President
Jefferson must
be made
subservient,was
clear.
Armstrong tried in vain to penetrate the
it might be, it was
as
mystery. Whatever
yet hidden
in the recesses
of Napoleon's mind.
had
No
the
the Emperor left Paris than
sooner
American
minister,September 30, wrote a note of
that
inquiry to Izquierdo,who repliedin substance
had been suspended or recalled.
his powers
Nothing
remained
the President
but for Armstrong to inform
a

of all the facts connected

and
he

could

should

then

to wait

command,

consent

were

to take

Yet

placefor

had

every

attack.

reason

The

to be

Napoleon reached
1806, and crushed
into

patience

Napoleon

meaning of

these

terious
mys-

in

Berlin.

on

United

States government

its guard.

the battle-field of Jena

the

conquering French

entry

when

moment

reveal the

to

what

diplomacy as in war,
commonly lost when they allowed Napoleon
the initiative,
and to choose his own
time

and

the

Paris,with

at

for the

manoeuvres.

nations

the failure of his negotiation,

with

Prussian

November

occurringin

October

army.

battalions made

25,

"

the

the story of Burr's

Oct. 14,
27

triumphal
quently
day so freconspiracy,

the

Orleans,
"

destined

paper

himself

spatch,
de-

reached

New

Napoleon left Berlin for

Before leaving Berlin he signed
famous
become
throughout the

to

the

under

world

Wilkinson's

Emperor

Russia.

and

Poland

General

Wilkinson

when

and

389

DECREE.

received

Jefferson

when

"a

BERLIN

THE

"1806.

of the

name

Berlin

Decree.

This

extraordinarymandate, bearing the date of Nov. 21

1806, began by charging that England disregarded
,

of

She made

of nations.

the law

; confiscated

war

unfortified

harbors

though
whole

of the

abuse

of

mouths

and

"

monstrous

rivers,and

she had

Continent, and

gave

(1)

the

That

French

British

That

(2)

violations of

these

'and correct

war

England

was

of such

confiscations

merchants

(5) That
prizeof war

whose

cruisers ;

(7)

should

well

found

all merchandise

(6)

should

That

be

no

hibited
prowithin

(4)

That

public,was
coming from

half the

employed

property had
That

was

war;

"

of blockade

state

as

fare.
war-

decreed

them

prisoner of

of

use

recognize

was

with

property, private as

prize of

British

try
indus-

rightto

methods

Englishman

every

authority was

all British

in

were

no

industry

and

law, it

all intercourse
That

(3)

Isles

had

and

natural

and
againsther the same
weapons
Therefore, until England

empires.

blockade

objectthan to raise the commerce

England on the ruin of the commerce
of the

single

and

coasts

rightof

ered
consid-

not

other
of

blockaded

private property ;

places as blockaded
even
ship before them,
This

ers
prison-

non-combatants

been

product

nify
to indem-

captured by

ship coming from

390

HISTORY

OF

THE

STATES.

UNITED

CH.

16.

England or her colonies should be admitted into any

port; (8) That every vessel trying to elude this rule
of false papers should be confiscated.
by means
of neutral rights
cut the roots
This decree, which
with
and
of American
commerce
Europe, was
lished
pubof Dec. 5, 1806.
at Paris in the "Moniteur"
arrived that Hamburg, and
time news
At the same
man
nearly all the north coast of Germany along the Gerhad fallen into Napoleon's
and the Baltic,
Ocean
hands,

or

certain

was

soon

keen

Armstrong, watching with

of French

progress

contained

which

started

have

understood

to

what

arms,

his feet with

the

enigma

which

explained, and

what

of the

vaguely

an
no

the

up

was

rapid
"

Moniteur

"

Decree, he might well

the

cry that

Emperor would
had

the

be

at

at.

last he
A

part

perplexed diplomacy was

not
yet revealed might

10

ister
Armstrong wrote to Decres,the Minsence,
Marine, to ask of him, in Talleyrand'sabFor some
explanation of the decree.
days
Much
received.
is said here," he
was
which
to be
are
Madison, of qualifications
the arrete
20 [21],and which
of November
"

answer

wrote

to

given

to

would

interest

When

divined.

be

December
of

took

Berlin

the

his prey.

to become

"

make

indeed

it very

harmless

; but

these

are

hoped for than believed in." When

December
Decres' reply arrived,dated
24, it went
sive
far to confirm
Armstrong's fears,by avoiding deciand official explanation.1
rather

to

be

Armstrong

to

Madison,

Dec.

24, 1806;

State

Papers

ii. 805.

THE

1806.

consider

"

last,"

convention
America

30,

1800,

but

it will

be

what

States

am

very

them,

but
than

With

this

obliged

was

closed,
battles

of

the

than

Prince

soon

gathering
Europe

President

his
had

will

not

cape
es-

have

cannot

the

from

is

naturally

less

ister
Minhim

to

explanations,

because

in

the

Emperor

forces

for

seen.

as

he

positive

it was,

wishes

tion
informa-

the

Armstrong

the

and

Jefferson

fought

yet

citizens

these

him,

himself;

where

of

Benevento."

of

be

it

for

content

to

tions
Rela-

answers

much

have

of

Exterior

It

that

such

to

of

the

Excellency

your

receive

give

to

of

...

would

explanation,

leaving

Germany,

was

happy
which

upon

that

my

himself

address

France

States

correspondence

and

Relations,
to

they

United

the

Minister

that

which

in

consequently

England.

Armstrong

ought

which

with

fication
modi-

no

observed

proper

the

ber
Novem-

of

21st

conveying

nor

with

the

concerns

Exterior

he

that

navigators,

with

the

present

development
of

at

Sept.

General
the

far

of

United

the

of

thus

neutral

to

as

of

to

communicate

should

decree

"as

regulations

the

regard

with

Decres,

391

DECREE.

imperial

the

wrote

of

BERLIN

at

most

the

conflict

mercy

distant

more

of

corner

of

Alexander

1806

year

Russia

terrible

CHAPTER

WHILE

of the Channel.

side
he

might think

from

threw

his

Bowdoin

and

thus far

had

with
He

from

amidst
state

After

Florida

he

had

the
to

strong
of Arm-

those

upon

negotiation which

injuredthe reputationof
it ; but

double

man

every

pompous

Westminster

nected
con-

of

rejoicing.
Godoy, but

cause

Talleyrand and
Pitt, whose body he saw
in
mournings of London
Abbey, and left in solemn

William

the

on

asters
diplomaticdishappy, though he only

himself

the

Paris,

his

only escaped from

not

also

of sunshine

shoulders

own

in

Napoleon

brief moment

enjoyed a

other

coped with

Armstrong

Monroe

XVII.

carried
funeral
deur
gran-

by the side of his great father. Pitt died Jan.

23, 1806, exhausted
by the anxieties of office.
At

last

winning

more

sudden

than

any

of Barbe*

Boulevard

she

upon

Monroe

with

caresses

shown

since

her

had

before his eyes

appearance

semblance
the

smiled

Fortune

Marbois

Montmartre.

First

Lord

to

Charles

of the

outward

garden on
Livingston's
ing
Old King George, know-

Tory competent to succeed

controlling Parliament, summoned
submitted

the

in

no

and

under

last

James

Treasury

Pitt

or

Lord
Fox.
; Fox

capable of
Grenville

Grenville
took

came
be-

charge of

MONROE'S

393

TREATY

Lord

Foreign Office ; Erskine became

"idmouth, Lord Privy Seal. The

the

"ty chiefs
te

Monroe
his

of different

union

to

as

the Talents.

give the Ministry

By February 7

the

completed.

was

well

greatlypleased,as
position in England had
was

comfortable.

"m

general

so

of All

nickname

jvolution

"r

was

Chancellor

To

he

might be,

hitherto

been

soothe the Tories,

far

who

"

were

minijudicedagainst him not only as American

minister to France
jter,but also as having when
livelysympathized with the French
Directoryin
had
Monroe
to England,
tostility
thought himself
)ligedto shun the societyof the Whigs, and had
"

restricted
"iends would
imstances

supply,which

truthfulness.

that he had

tome

it my

than

ease

office since
but
little,
been

have

held

out

Monroe

Archives
.

to

hope

to

hour

put
any

with
me

the
more

in

person
Fox

said

had

so

nourish

him

that

diet.

passed before

Madison, Feb. 12, 1806; MSS.

he

wrote

Monroe

unaccustomed

month

Fox

and

days Monroe

England." 1

and

cir-

entire frank-

first interview

in

hopes;

the

charming,

few

an

of

best

statesmanship

felt with

ever

been

even

upon
than

more

His

of
politics,

in half

I have

left without

gladly fed

In

enjoyed his

secretary,"who

lew

in

Pitt's

as

amusing.

nor

manners

rare

the

under

extensive

his
liberal,

quality,most

and

Less

relations

for this self-denial.

and

broad

lad the

neither

were

lade amends
ras

social

such

to

he

State

long
he

less,
Nevertheventured

Department

394

HISTORY

the

and

seizure

rule

the

under

Scott.

At

pursue
He

established

himself

said

that

trouble

no

colonial trade, but

that
for

making payments
the

the

17.

suspend
vessels

Sir William

and

Queen's drawingaside

minister

and

and
ready to begin negotiation,

delay till

it without

to

American

Pitt

American

the

CH.

order

an

of

condemnation

took

announced

STATES.

UNITED

by
length,April 17, at

Fox

room

THE

1 for
application

formal

make

to

OF

seizures

it should

need
there

be

feared

be
would

be

concluded.2

condemnations

the

about

objectionsto

property already taken

and

to

were

while
mean-

to

be

stopped.
1st of

May arrived. Three months had passed

since the new
Ministry took office,
yet nothing had
the United States.
done to satisfy
The
been publicly
Fox
well known.
come
was
reason
was
obligedto overkinds of oppositionboth in and out of
many
the Cabinet.
The
West
Indian
colonies,the royal
the Tory country
navy, the mercantile shippinginterest,
all opposed to
gentlemen, and the Court were
concessions,and only the Treasury favored them.
To
increase Fox's difficulties,
news
began to arrive
from the United States of the debate in Congress on
the Non-importationAct, of the loose talk of Congressmen
and
the vaporings of the press ; and
to
The

crown

all

had

taken

into

its

came

the

own

Monroe

to

Monroe

to

the

story that the mob

of New

York

punishment of Pierce's manslaughter

hands.
The
English people honestly

Madison, April 3, 1806;

Madison, April 18, 1806;

State

Papers,iii. 115.
State Papers,iii. 116.

MONROE'S

1806.

395

TREATY.

the Americans

cheating them in the

colonial trade ; they suspected that
of the
matter
cousins
their Yankee
were
shrewd, and they could
plainlysee that Jefferson and Congress were
ing
trythe shadow
of Napoleon. Nonbehind
importatio
to hide
believed

commercial

and

objectthan

of

the chance

threat,

as

"

us

Whatever

which

she

what

her

existence

Two

thirds of the Brit-

the

without
'

"

sins of

or

Americans

as

weight of

which

American

on

the death

interests

of Pitt
On

ville to power.
active

in

or

every

giving and

peace,

marked
other

secured

success.

driven

side

Fox

whatever
in which

was

They

knew

lessened

of Lord

found

earnest

in

what

long at

was

as

their situation

energy
to

used

by creatinga

personal courage
; for in

terests
in-

pressing

were

Seldom

theirs

Gren-

these

Englishmen

brutal

somewhat

Pitt into

not

was

return

qualityas selfishness
than

had

oppositionand

won

character
a

easilymeasured.

receivinghard blows.

they had

national

and

the

arguments againstconcession.

understand.

rule,by interests

commerce

by

England, they

could

guided, as

was

public,permanent,

were

his assault

no

rendering
sur-

Non-importationAct as a
Americans
said, Surrender
surrender
or
your shipping,

the faults

were

Government

Her

to

America

of

the

and

least such

at

were

by

though

it.

other

no

alternative

to

or

price of

fightingfor

commerce

your

the

had

liberties to France."

your

The

France

people understood

ish

to

to

the

be

to

restriction

give England

to

either
believed

be

to

could

think

have

of war,

396

HISTORY

could

and

with

measure

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

approach

some

CH.

to

17.

exactness

quite
probable costs and returns, but they were
tened
unused
to being conquered by peace ; and
they lisits

with

as

much

contempt

theory that England

shirts

America

whether

pains

and

to

make

that

of

anger

to

surrender

must

the American

at discretion

woollonger to buy len

tin kettles.
Englishmen asked only
would
fight,and they took some

should

if Americans

as

refuse

any

pened
inquirieson that point; but it hapall the points in questionthis,which

Englishmen was alone decisive,could be answered

not
would
in a syllable
! America
fight. The
: No
President,Congress,the press of both partiesin the
States agreed only in this particular.John
United
was
printed
reRandolph's speech on
Gregg's Resolution
phen,
Stewith a long prefaceby James
in London
would
and
proved conclusivelythat America
to a laugh as his gravity
submit.
near
as
Merry came
would
permit in expressinghis contempt for the idea
the
of war, and in urging his Government
to resent
Non-importation Act ; and although Fox probably
thought poorlyof Merry'sjudgment,he could not but
if the Cabinet
show
his despatches to the Cabinet
After the slaughterof Pierce,
wished
to read them.
to

when

the

Federalist

newspapers

in New

York

and

for warlike
clamored
of seamen
mob
irresponsible
the only effect of the outcry upon
England
measures,
to stimulate the anti-American
was
prejudiceand to

the

embarrass
chief

the

newspaper,

well-meant
the

"

efforts

Morning

of

Fox,

until

Chronicle,"

in

his
a

MONROE'S

of irritation

loment

be

so

would

not

powerful interests

the

United

they

ready

and

anxiety to
France

had

England could
the

cannon

had

remained

only

Russia

had

the

intention

such

Against
force Fox

The
and

of

by Great

States.

Napoleon

law.

he

the

give law

Men

to risk the

the

Two

ocean

the

as

Powers
"

showed

one

to the

toward

an

England

other.
of

measures

united

like Lord

fate of the

but

Britain,

could,without

Cabinet.

with

British

far

as

considered

to

its desperate

brutal;

sound

charge of

was

contest

be

struggledas

little inclined

were

in

order, that

publicinclination

in the

even

throat

land, and

with

selves
protect them-

fleets made

thought herself well able

Even

in trade

her

to take

they knew

nation

the

at

would

war

British

life.

become

the United

and

evident

to

own

own

that

from

went, that

ocean

the

Europe violent

boast

divided

been

its

all

chaos

its

cut

save

made

that

that

much.

to

attempt

if

; and

bully so

or

no

see

to

eager

England

directlyengaged

made

did not

they thought

hector

the

States

if

in

unpopular

very

this,they

plainlytold the Americans

mistaken

much

they were

397

TREATY.

new

port
sup-

Sidmouth
istration
Admin-

the Tories,
to America
by concessions
; and
led by Canning and
Spencer Perceval, profitedby
in order to recover
their control
every English prejudice
of

the

government.

could

Fox

only by adopting half-measures.

a

new

Council,as

judicialdecision
had

American

been

done

commerce

or

in

carry

Instead

issuing an

his

point

of procuring
Order

in

placing
previoustimes,for rein its old privileges,
he

398

OF

HISTORY

Government

caused

UNITED

THE

adopt

to

the

quite as

to
objectionable

1756

same

itself had
of

German

Powers

from

coast

this blockade

Brest
to

Ostend

and

the

ships should
leaving the

not

conditions

York

with

sugar,

Monroe
end

to

been

the

river

French

Elbe,but

seizure

in

"It

in

seizures

on

Amsterdam

seems

the

that

neutral

the usual
any

ship laden

safetyfor

in

and

enteringor

under

seizable

American

King

tween
rigorousonly be-

product of French

the

wrote

further

to

them

an

colonies,
might sail

whole

ports except

made

this blockade

Under

the

of

ters
minis-

the

Seine ; while elsewhere

blockaded

which

of

liable to

be

that

to

Rule

the

May 16, 1806, the

notified

17.

principle

as

strict and

be

was

restingon

were

blockade

CH.

intended

measure

Americans

been.

ever

neutral

ordered

had

effect,but

produce

STATES.

or

in

case.

New

Spanish
or

burg.
Ham-

clearlyto put an
principlewhich has

in contestation."

heretofore

English statutes, like English law, often showed

methods
peculiaringenuity in inventing a posteriori
such device could be
of reaching their ends; but no
than
that of inventing a fictitious
less satisfactory
in order to get rid of a commercial
blockade
tion.
prohibiof
in the course
Interminable
disputes arose
and legality
the next few years in regard to the objects
of

this measure,

blockade,and

as

England ; but its

the English mind.
1

Monroe

to

which

such

to be

came

became

chief interest
To

correct

known

point of
was

as

honor

Fox's
with

its reflection of

by
dangerous principle

Madison, May 17, 1806;

State

Papers,iii.124.

MONROE'S

3806.

399

TREATY.

settingan equally dangerous precedent; to concede

and
in doing so to assert
one
point by implication,
another

less

not

deny

to

pretence

the British
America

of

than

to the

1756, and

of

invented
measure

one

countries

Another

of

the

entered

under

had

she

in

submit

this

the

case

discussed

disputewere

he

; but

one

paper

satisfy

temporary
the

pedient
ex-

tion
condi-

six years
which

the

war.

fortnightelapsed,but
Whenever

the

to

to conciliate and

for

the

contested

chief pretexts under

a

the

admitting that
at illegitimate
objects.
the legalityof paper

intended

upon

ing
appear-

but

more

in order

was

further progress.
in

no

rightby

pending negotiation; yet such was

England that Fox's blockade became

afterward
two

could

other, although

was

The

aimed

always contested
emphaticallyas

as

Rule

was

"

commerce

encourage

forbiddingit,

had

blockade

to

government

blockades

her.

it ; and

of

to admit

disputed;

saw

news

Monroe
Fox

made

the

arrived

no

subjects
that

the

Act had passed both Houses

of Congress,
Non-importation
and
the difficulty
creased
inof obtaining favors was
by the attempt at compulsion. Fox showed
less and less willingness
to concede
although
principles,
he did not, as Monroe
lieved
feared,declare that the Act rehim from any promises he might have made
or
from the fulfilment of any hopes he might have held
out.
Thus
the matter
stood,balanced almost equally
between
oppositechances, when, May 31, 1806, news
arrived

from

by

America
the

that

Monroe's

appointment

of

powers

were

perseded
su-

specialmission,in

400

HISTORY

which
of

he

OF

THE

STATES.

CH.

associated with William

to be

was

UNITED

17.

Pinkney

Maryland.
The

blow

Monroe's

great,and shook
pride was
his faith in the friendshipof Jefferson and Madison.
Three
elapsed since he had himself been
years had
and he
sent abroad
to share Livingston'snegotiations,
how
had the best reason
to know
easilythe last comer
could carry away the prizesof popularity.The nomination
him
of a colleaguewarned
that he had
lost
well,
influence at home, and that Jefferson,however
This was
in
disposed,no longer depended on him.
to

the

substance

revealed

were

in

Pinkney

arrived

him

new

the

foundation

part

to Monroe's

London

in

instructions

at

as

once

and
a pacific
regulation,
which
England had no

this

eyes when

June
which

troubles

graver

William

24, bringing with

to

were

become

the

treaty.
instructions1
importati
began by treatingthe NonAct

calculated

was

and

and

of the

These

which

other

truth ; but

the

at

right to be
her,
anger

and

the

foreign
with

measure

angry,

and

sharply coercive.
threat

one

ble
amicastrictly

"

time

which

domestic

hostile act, a

to

same

preamble, in

was

After

clearer than

followed an order precludingthe posexplanation,

sibility
to
of successful
was
negotiation. Monroe
British govThe
begin by imposing an ultimatum.
ernment
must
expresslyrepudiatethe rightand forbid
the practiceof impressment, or not
only could no

the

Madison

to

Papers,iii.119.

Monroe

and

Pinkney, May

17, 1806;

State

MONROE'S

1806.

401

TREATY.

Act
treaty be made, but the Non-importation
be enforced.

So

"

for the

is some
indispensable
that the President

case

preliminaryto
of the

Act

should

adequate provision

makes

it

sary
neces-

stipulation
requiringa repeal

any

shuttingthe

market

of the

States

United

againstcertain British manufactures."

Besides

this

another

prescribedas
the

enemies'

fixed

as

the

colonies
the

conditions

Three

without

Act.
Non-importation

further

be

made

Fox

upon

under

Sir

fore,
ultimata,therewhich

or

The

of

its old foundation

on

receive the President's assent

of the

restoration

captures made

Scott's late decisions.

were

could

precedent,the instructions

ultimatum

indemnity for

William

to

with

trade
and

condition

procure

repeal

requests

numerous

concerned

treaty

no

many

ent
differ-

nating
pointsin dispute, contraband,blockade,discrimiduties,immunity of neutral waters, East and
"

West
these

Indian

matters

were

might

to

them.

trade,and

every

use

demand

Nova

with

bargain,and

extent

some

Yet

of

trade

the two

discretion
made

by

in

Scotia ; but

negotiators
dealing with

the United

States

required a corresponding concession from England,

for which
no
equivalent could be offered by the
American
importati
negotiatorsexcept the repeal of the NonAct.

Monroe

knew

and

spoke

never

in.

"

of

said and
26

had

treatywith

something like

Jefferson had
VOL.

Jefferson

commercial

any
that he

that

ever

Great

stronglyopposed
Britain,and

gust
Jay's treatyexcept with disabhorrence.
Again and again
written

that he wished

for

no

402

OF

HISTORY

that

treaty;
would

not

STATES.

CH.

17.

preferredto relyon municipal legislation

safeguardagainst attack ; and that he

he

his

as

UNITED

THE

part

with

this weapon

in

order

obtain

to

land
protectionof an agreement which Engcould always interpretto suit herself. Pinkney
in Washington
could add that Jefferson,
as
every one
driven into the preshad been unwillingly
was
aware,
ent
negotiation
by the Senate,and that as the measure
would
not his its success
pectation
was
hardly be within his exdoubtful

the

; that it would

Napoleon,endanger if not
for Florida, and
of

at the

Randolph,
Monroe

raise

could

Monroe,

candidate

ready
al-

was

of his enemies.

of the

efforts made

fortunes

own

the

tiation
nego-

Madison, who

of

the attacks

depress his

to

or

exalt

informed

well

was

ruin the simultaneous

expense

staggeringunder

his relations with

embarrass

at

to

Washington,

easilyhis rival,the Secretaryof

State,might play a double part. Nothing could be
had
pose
simpler than such tactics. Madison
only to imthe task of negotiatinga treatyunder
Monroe
on
If the treaty should
the
impossible conditions.
fail,
and

would

blame

the

how

see

fall upon

credit would

could

effort to
success

of the United
Monroe
toward

make

with

the

Pinkney.

would
of

success

succeed,

make

No

any

one

great

negotiationwhen

negotiatorthe

next

President

States.

could
the

; if it should

Madison

the

secure

might

divided

be
that

suppose

Monroe

not

treaty;

doubt
he

the

could

personalwishes
secretary's

not

were

President's

coldness

fail to

see

rather

against than

that

the

MONROE'S

1806.

when

for it ; and
not

studied

that

admit

but

he

treaty impossible.
been

than

imposed
had

he

when

of

two

the
of

chance

with

was

laid upon

been

success

of

drawing almost
; to throw

defeat ; but

that
could

had
such

at

without

for them,

ever

ruled

over

moment

wanted

as

existed.
centuries

take

upon

see

their

other

nations

their

sufficient

hard-won

his
ernment
Gov-

England
supposed to be
British ministry
challenge opposition

trade

to

was

right

the House
made

No

invite
of

pressment
im-

ter
minis-

of Commons
such

treaty

his head.
concessions
had

done

England, France,

paid for
no

such

had

England, after

so-called

have

of
on

his

destruction.

losinghis place or

If America

could

rush

to

to

was

even

which

was

For

the

when

have

terms

world,

from

the colonial

surrender

the

defiance

own

than

she

of 1756

open

to
was

the

obtain

her last gasp.

the Rule

to abandon

in

when

well

Not

in

his

Trafalgar,concessions

steadilyrefused

had

with

Monroe.

smaller
to

could

Madrid

greatest Powers

battle

task

to

could

of making
effect,

Godoy, to impose

required him
the

the

harder

sent

he

framed, if not

No

been

and

Talleyrand

the instructions

they were

all events

intention,at

403

TREATY.

power
reason

and

with

she must
since

ever

fight
kind
man-

Spain had for

their blood,and

why America

privilegeswithout

should

challenge.
In his opinion,all the
Jefferson thought otherwise.
three Powers
would
end by conceding American
mands,
deof abstract rightbut for fear
not as a matter
j
of throwing the United
States into the arms
of an
a

404

OF

HISTORY

The

enemy.
idea ; and
wrote

the

No

"have

their

; and

with

such

rulers

them
the

on

her

is

she

befriend

to

the

materials

for

frigates;
the

England

and

taught,

the

of

that

on

will retard
there

and

give

to

us

there

by

other

other

hand,

the

half

fail to
and

seamen

that

the

us

ment
senti-

number

and

money

dispositions to equip them, they would

give

the

proofs
the

to

ocean

no

the

dispositionsto place us
whole
world, out of the

be

our

joint monopoly.
will remain
Jefferson to

which

which

they

they

have

been

the

of

Power

one

from

immensity

would

leave

longer problematical. Were,

the

for

stock

efforts

under

hand, England

ask

in

school

the

added

of

other

We

line and

France

were

have

ment
ele-

part of the

the

If, on

We

the

the

England

us

supported

navy.

fiftyships of

latelyunited

sea-coast

we

be

both.

securityof

and

sprung

scenes.

do

if

The

us,

serious

England

state

ship
friend-

the
and encourages
conciliatory,
family feelings and conduct, it cannot

just
of

are

and

ocean.

into their scale to make

great counterpoise to

President,1

asunder.

check

can

shall

We

year'sgrowth.
nations, and thrown

and

is

she

the

great bunglers indeed

break

arise

nothing

one

to

be

must

can

little; but

this

on

expressed

interest

common

by petty-larcenythwartings

may

of

of

dispositionsthey

only rivalrythat

which

earth," said

upon

points

many

rested

17.

terms.

countries

so

CH.

might remain, Jefferson

private letter

in set

two

STATES.

Monroe

to

doubt

no

Monroe

doctrine

"

UNITED

instructions

that

to

THE

peace

give

to

on

the

the

sea

continent

We

and

wish

and

money

for

in

of

all

the
on

France

force,

our

Europe, might

neither

justicefrom

uprightlyneutral

of

of

all

nations,

in fact."

Monroe, May 4, 1806; Works,

v.

these

12.

MONROE'S

This
for

masterful

was

it

interest

;rvative
[onroe

to make

was

"We

and

the

Gulf

cruising are

to

cruise within
il cruisers.

This

with

more

which

the

fiftyships of

idea

our

waters, in which

as

either

that

the

pressmen
im-

consent

shall

forbid

essential

the

another

the

hostilities

present, and
will

force

or

mit
per-

privateer

harbors

our

for

consider

we

for

on

permit

never

is

with

the

frowned

it,and

to claims

"

be

shall

door

abjure the right of

1756, he added :

of

of

as

soon

We

us.

which,

not

broach

to

Stream

prohibited as

language ;

not be conceded

breath

England

the Rule

begin

the

same

would

she

case

and

whole

opening

threatened

line in

could

ultimata

as

by England without
sweeping still. In
President

dictatorial

to say

vehemently opposed by every conThe

in England.
claims
which

just,were

however

not

support of categoricalclaims

in

came

405

TREATY.

to

to

nation-

and
tranquillity

our

commerce."

These
task

or

fefferson

was

ibandon
control

bold words, but not

were

likelyto

of the

colonial
in

States,

idea"

"

that

but

he

equivalenton
had

should

how

such

to
legislation

the

also

"begun

dictate

where

line-of-battle ships might sail upon

language would

the

only asked for

directions,which

different

he

and

to

not

fabric of British

reconstructed,without

knew

President

hopes.

forcingEngland

trade ; he

many

required the whole

the

upon

roe's
suited to Mon-

by treaty the right of impressment

liberal favors

United

his

encourage

only bent

not

well

the

part of the
to

broach

England's

ocean.

sound

be

to

roe
Mon-

English

406

ears

HISTORY

strained to hear
and

how

eyes, dim

with

through

intolerable

and

the winds

The

beggar

broadsides

in

have

purpled with

when

back

That

land
Eng-

in her
was

of such

march

home

dare

in his

tensions
preA

true.

and

held

subjectscould hardly fail

drunkenness

his

borne

to rest

of enemies

ocean

his

must

England

the

arrogance,

and

should

Jefferson

English

triumphs,mad

her

for

meanest

waves

face would

in

waves

faith that

the

her

swept

the

with

mad

with

had

to

of St. Paul's.

dome

the

17.

gar,
Trafal-

their hero

of London

streets

CH.

from

look

tears,as they watched

inflated with

peoplethat

STATES.

would

words

the shrouded

was

UNITED

the distant thunders

such

glory beneath

go

THE

OF

to

their

stormy

England was
the

upon

rage
that

deep
at

the

deur.
gran-

glorified

o'er the

was

to

tain
moun-

; and

his

idea that

the

squadrons of

topsailsand

silence their

say

they reached

the

edge of the Gulf

Stream.
could
picturebefore his eyes, Monroe
feel no
success
great confidence either in his own
in the good faith of the President's instructions,
or
to impossibleconditions.
less
Neverthewhich
tied, him
he had
to
he accepted the task ; and
as
gone
Spain with the certaintyof defeat and mortification,
to challengea hopeless conin London
he remained
test.
As
cess,
though to destroyhis only chance of sucthe very day of Pinkney's arrival Eox fell ill.
on
and
known
to be dropsical,
His complaint was
soon
his recovery
hopeless. Two months passed,while the
waited the result.
American
Aug. 20, 1806,
envoys
With

this

MOXROE'S

1806.

Fox, being still unable

and

Lord

his

place.

Holland
in

and

nephew

to do

No

better

Napoleon
The

was

the

on

proved to be long and

commissioners, though
fear of the

vital

tion
negotia-

have

the

time

Whig

been

favorite

noblemen,

negotiationa
had

cess
suc-

lost,and

been

of Jena.

eve

in

negotiationbegan

in constant

of all

make

invaluable

much

; but

could

men

liberal

most

the

on

carry

especially,Fox's

warmly disposed to

was

to

Holland

the

business,appointed Lord

Auckland

Lord

selected.

407

TREATY.

The

arduous.

charge

two

but

British

and

courteous

English interests

August 27,

earnest

stood
friendly,
dered
they had surren-

that

under

American

threats.

especially
hampered by the Admiralty,the
They were
atmosphere of which, as Lord Holland
complained,1
it shudder
made
those who
breathed
at anything like
concessions
the Treasury,
to the Americans
; while
listened willingly
though naturallystill less yielding,
to every expedient that offered hope for the revenue.
September 1 began the struggleover impressments;
and

from

claim

the

had

Monroe

outset

no

chance

that

saw

of success,

the American

while

the West

Indian

Only one

serious

death

Fox, September 13, produced

of

trade

discussion

of several weeks

Monroe

was

; and

on

almost
had

the

of

case

equallydesperate.

taken

resuming

place when
a

the

new

the

delay

negotiation,

requiredto deal with a new

Pinkney were
Foreign Secretary, Charles Grey, Lord Howick,
to be better known
in English historyas Earl Grey.
and

"

"

Memoirs

of Lord

Holland, ii. 98-103.

408

Such

instincts

of

do when

the

Whigs

they had

Tory

could

not

less be

much

Ministrywas

every

decided

home

negotiatorswrote

disregard their instructions

to

accepting,instead of

impressments,
"

in which
the
a note
subject,
British commissioners
pledged their government to
not to impress American
exercise the strictest care
should
and to afford prompt redress
injury
citizens,
be inflicted while impressing British seamen.
Having
a

.,

the

when

the

its fall.

to abandon

and

strong could

were

17.

Americans.

Fox

what

11 the American

November

the

to

CH.

counteract

not

; and

Howick

day totteringto
that

could

Parliament

by Lord

done

good

no

influence

Fox's

All

boded

change

STATES.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

formal

article

made

thus

up

the

on

his

found

Monroe
point of negotiation,

chief

prevent his doing

under
his

to violate instructions

mind

in the

face

respects. His

of Lord

the

nothing

Pinkney's influence

'William

good nature,

other

in

so

on

to

ress
prog-

rapid ;

was

cult
diffi-

Holland's

at the end of a few

extreme
was
position,
; and
weeks, Dec. 31, 1806,Jefferson's favorite diplomatic
set

agent

his
and

omissions

to

name

admissions

treaty which, taking its

together,surpassed Jay's

and
treaty in outragingJefferson's prejudices

express

desires.
That

choose

to

people,like
accept

without

an

should for
individual,

wrong,

like

forcible resistance

discredit.

Every

submitted

to

nation

treatment

at

one

impressment
implied no
time

it disliked

or

and

a
or

time
bery,
rob-

necessary

another
to

had

theories

409

TREATY.

MONROE'S

rejected.The United
States might go on
protesting against
indefinitely
jlligerent
aggressionswhile submitting to them, and

"f international

evil need

permanent

to

)mpromise

which

law which

could

the

it

Yet

result.

made

be

treaty was

it recorded

precedent ;

not

it abandoned

loubtless

which

law

again discarded;

why

reason

'eaties in the actual

ly to enforce

state

Jefferson

he

was

for

wished
; he

no

not

was

willingto

not

was

above

This

of the world

rights,and

his

rules

and

protest against wrong.

rnipromisethem.
The

treaty signed by Monroe

L806,was
lent

for

remarkable

combining

in

Jefferson

which

quality to

every

Pinkney Dec. 1,

and

instru-

one

held

most

all
objections. The three ultimata were
mndoned
under
set aside
a
; impressments were
which
rather
recorded
the
memorandum
liplomatic
rightthan restrained its exercise ; no indemnity was
strenuous

for

"tained
lerce

the

in 1805

compromise

was

in

made

regard

invented
admit.

that West

American

ports

self-respecting

no

Article

com-

colonial trade,

the

to

which

condition

American

on

XI.

of the

treaty

ing
Indian^moduce. comfrom
French
or
Spanish colonies,and bond fide
might be exproperty of United States citizens,

iposedthe
ie

; and

could

"vernment

ravages

"orted from
hat
Louse

which

it should
a

duty of
could

European

have

paid to

not

less than

not

be

merchandise

to

Europe

the United
two

States custom-

per cent

returned

in

might

in the

condition

on

ad

valorem,

drawback
same

way

while
be

re-

410

HISTORY

OF

exported from

THE

UNITED

the United

the American

only to

was

treaty,in

be

This

valorem

provision

Article XII.

with

of

Jay's
Jay agreed

Grenville insisted and

that the United

States should

Pitt had

proposed anything so offensive

never

He

restriction.

new

merchant

American
Boston

or

should
a

with

unload

turn

warehouse, and
about

of sugar

and

the

stow

as

the

required that

the

them

Baltimore

at

coffee from

or

and

hogsheads

them

pass

Cuba
to
in-

cases

all the forms

through

; after which

again

Even

cotton.

no

ship arrived

custom-house

operation which

he

must

shipboard,

on

"

an

as
equivalent,
usuallyreckoned
and wages, to a charge of about
breakage,pilfering,

in
ten

per cent

ventured

United
a

whose

her, carry

of the American

indeed

had

cargo

export

17.

Indies,

ad

per cent

one

Treasury.

compared
Lord

which

CH.

States to the West

provided it paid not less than

in duties to

STATES.

to

on

was

the value of the cargo ; but he had

States government.

clever London

the

the

One

to

be

custom-house

it been

should

payments

"

as

the British

"

King's livery.1Had

and

step more,

requirethe American

to the

paid

pamphleteer suggested

would

government
wear

them

levy a duty upon

not

stevedores

to

stipulatedthat
be

taken

as

full

and complete protectionfrom seizure,

proof of neutrality
the American
merchant
tive
might have found a mofor submitting to the tax ; but the treaty further
insisted that both goods and vessel must
be in good
faith American
door

open
1

as

property,
"

widely as

Oil without

a
ever

condition
to

the

which

left the

arbitraryseiz-

Vinegar,Medford, London,

1807.

MONROE'S

1806.

cruisers

of British

ures

of

decisions

"that

the

felt

heavy

one

will

which

they
country."

the

present instance
and

"

this tax

be

to

Jefferson's
for the

paid

merely during

will

whose

recollection

that

the

to

be

not

ism
patriot-

advantage

the

duty

of

their

elastic ; yet
proverbially
so

much

the
was

merchants'
to be

sidered,
con-

patriotismcould hardly approve

protectionof

would

Pinkney

merchants,
to

not

Napoleon, while

of

and

of the President

that

produce,which

anger

our

patriotismwas

as
gratification

and

by

will redound

pay

Mercantile
in the

equallyarbitrary

Monroe

agreed

sum

gratifiedby

be

the

to

ourselves," wrote

Madison,1
as

and

admiralty courts.

flatter

We

"

411

TREATY.

the

on
on

the

British

one

the other

period of

hand

shipping
excite the

it conferred

vantage
ad-

Another

war.

fatal.
objectionexisted which in Jefferson's eyes was
of commercial
in the efficacy
He
believed implicitly
restrictions ; he thought the Non-importation Act
a
than the best treaty
better guaranty of good treatment
ever
made, and was
quiteready to try the experiment
of such a measure
againstEngland. Yet Article V. of
Monroe's
treaty pledged him for ten years to abstain
from
against British
attempt to discriminate
every
commerce.

The

smaller
not

were

disturb
1

less

likely than

Jefferson's temper.

Monroe

iii.145.

points conceded

and

Pinkney

to

The

by Monroe
the

and

greater

British

ney
Pink-

ones

to

commission-

Madison, Jan. 3, 1807; State Papers,

412

OF

HISTOKY

refused

ers

half per

to

cent

in

paid

of what

excess

duty of

manufactures

British

was

ships which

should

two

which

CH.

17.

and

cans
Ameri-

paid by European

the British

with

Trade

consumers.

STATES.

the export

remove
on

UNITED

THE

East

Indies

was

sail

directlyfrom
America
and
return
directlythither, a provision
The trade with
less favorable than Jay had secured.
Indies was
the British West
a
subjectso delicate in
that the two Englishmen refused to touch
Parliament
it,saying that any sanction of this trade, coupled
restricted

to

"

of the neutral

with

their sanction

and

Spanish colonies, would

They would
with Nova

to

no

the

treaty.

of the

trade

endanger

arrangement

French

Brunswick, and Canada.

New
Scotia,

refused

also

into

enter

with

trade

accept Madison's

ideas

They
regard to

in

blockades.
Bad

as

contraryto Madison's
it was
Jefferson's privateletters,

all this was,

and

yet
"

After

the worst.

had

abandoned

Monroe

which

the four commissioners

treaty,Monroe

and

had

the ultimata

restrictions
when

and

and

the

not

violated his orders,

accepted the

President

were

structi
in-

about

mercial
com-

disliked,
"

to

sign the

Pinkney were startled to hear that

the two Englishmen meant
to append an
explanatory
to their signatures. News
of the Berlin Decree
note
had
reached
at once
England, and its gravity was
recognized. The British negotiatorsformallynotified
Monroe
and
Pinkney that unless the American
ernment,
govbefore ratification,
should give securitythat
it would not recognize
the decree,his Majesty George

MONROE'S

III. would

himself

consider

not

than

seemed

of

rather

which

one

it should

the sword

the act

had

not

have

bound

by the signatures
Signatureunder such a

of his commissioners.1
condition

413

TREATY.

of

yet

suppliantpeople

much

so

bought

as

Nevertheless

used.

Monroe

signed.
Monroe
said

follow

to

him, and

was

with

Jefferson
that

no

violate

often

was

or

the

called

influence

of those

He

man.

who

Madison

be excused

might

whom

on

stood

throw

be blamed

for

suspecting

the

of
principles

infinite embarrassments

more

less

or

time,
life-

ulterior motive.

They could
Monroe, in signing

some

for

afterward

could

his Government

on

suspectingthat
his treaty,thought more
of the Federalist
he did of Madison's
promotion.
political
Monroe

near

relied
they implicitly

sacrifice
instructions,

without
not

was

charged by different and opposed politicians

having a genius for blunders ; but either

man

and

dull

very

defended

his

but his
elaborate,

than

vote

treaty in writings
candid

most

account

his

diplomacy in these years was given in

Colonel Taylor of Caroline,written in the
Of the British treaty,he said : 2

of

letter to

year

1810.

"

"

The

failure of

of the

it,which
our

were

concerns

our

renewal

of

known

with

with

business
the
to

and

negotiationand

every

England.

Spain

one,

She

was

were

not

the

of

manner

sensiblyfelt

in

willingto yield

Papers,iii. 151.
2
Monroe
to Colonel
Taylor, 10 Sept.,1810;
State Department Archives.
American

edge
the knowl-

State

Monroe

MSS.,

414

HISTORY

the

light

which

indignities

for

to

terms

with

called

obtained.

the

and

fair

out

of

and

which
in

could

aid
at

cause

not

would

England

give

to

belief

change

that
that

feel

be

useful

resolved

home,

treaty

it

was

opinion."

to

there,

England.
and

best

might

the

by

it

other

that

sion,
mison

acts

thereof

Republican

stay

for

and

geous
advanta-

adopted
has

an

service

my

means

did

ministratio
Ad-

for

special

the*

be

could

by

by

and

nothing

our

our

what

and

to

highly

letters

to

honorable

an

sea.

the

such

my

and

stay,

and

of

against

and

was

so,

if

yet believing

to

with

adjustment
firm

but

be

on

thought,

inutility,

and

at

credit

on

remonstrance

its

tect
pro-

accommodate

subjected

Administration

the

to

The

purposes.

of

to

ship

scrape

Power

answers

my

conviction

the

to

as

Power

to

me

conditions,

being

notwithstanding
thorough

view

maritime

no

in

to
to

under

injuries

single

general

slighted,

getting

term,

not

17.

squadron,

great

and

that

great

been

to

the

reasonable

had
in

unusual

country

with

small

to

sufficient

seemed

our

and

could,

we

differences
be

get

rights,
law,

even

had
it

circumstances,

government

not

submitted
that

CH.

maritime

against

ports

of

her

force,

Powers

interest

STATES.

non-importation

recently

from

such
the

the

its

so

UXITED

called

maritime
of

had

Under

of

no

one

any

-THE

she

pressure

had

which

what

of

portion

any

OF

since

it

those

in

occurred

the

XVIII.

CHAPTER

MONROE
His

in diplomacy.
singularlyunfortunate
of occanot in any ordinary form
sional
came

was

disasters
defeat

ill-luck.

of

torrents

and

Pinkney,

treaty in flagrantcontradiction
to the

other

have

of its

the

terms

some

Whigs

the

treaty

to

be

if any

have

swered
an-

would
that

assume

the

pending the

more,

successor,

one

would

which
with
on

have

the addition
a

declaration

States

and

that

been
even

of hostilities

France,

supposed willing to

wait

publiclytearing their

the

for
own

pieces.

If Monroe
moment

might

United

it ; but

mortifications

do

the

at

noblemen, having imposed

terms

pretext before

new

to

oppositeparty

break

could

conditional

between

liberal

Whig

result of war,
were

the

treaty. Fox's

States

United

as

his

care

signed

ever

step it would

one

own

liberal

most

the

these

No

there.

ratification

right to

such

ministry would

British

hard

lifetime,and

ended

of the

taken

had

man

for

on

reserved

contract

American

orders, and

to

to be told that

submitted

time

and

waves

diplomatist in

No

Monroe

history,except

same

in

disappointment, but

or

flattered

checked

himself

British

that

he

had

aggression, he

for

the

quickly

416
learned
a

his
when

week

surpassed

any
with

Beginning
Decree

give

would

and
right of retaliation,
Majesty in enforcing the same
France

with

commerce

hopes

subjects,"the
bound

felt himself
of their

to

another,
in

be
In

"

which

both

the evils

ordered

from

ports shall

one

that

port

belong to,

or

her
allies."
or
possession of, France
the Whig ministers,ignoringtheir
words

the

other

fresh

treaty

with

note

appended

wait

for America

retort

for

to

that

States

United

the

that

it,declared
to

States

United

that

them

upon

and therefore
injustice,"
shall be permitted to trade

vessel

all

vainly
of his Majesty's
King George

that

own

no

his

warrant

commerce

retort

"to

Tories.1

Power

that

added

order

the

prohibitionof

which

against the

effect

to

of

lin
Napoleon's BerMajesty an unquestionable

his

to

18.

appeared,which

belligerentmeasure
the premise that

would

"

CH.

signed barely

been

in Council

Order

new

STATES.

treaty had

The

error.

UNITED

THE

OF

HISTORY

the

resent

vessels

decree,

be

must

and

would

not

Decree,

but

they

Berlin
in

deprived of

the

even

future, as
the

right

to

The
tom
cusEuropean port to another.
American
had hitherto prevailed
shippers
among
of seeking a market
according to rulingprices,partly
perhaps at Bilbao or Bordeaux, partly at some

sail from

one

other French
order

of Jan.

was
privilege,
1

Order

iii.267.

or

in

7, 1807, which
a

blow

Council,of

cut

to American
Jan. 7,

Howick's

port. Lord

Mediterranean

short
commerce

1807; American

this

coasting
sharper

State

Papers,

of the

case

double the

MONROE'S

"

it asserted
incidentally

it

be

purported to

order

retort

to

remained

act of violence

of

one

of

France

upon

trade

The

; it was,

On

meanness.

measure

while

commerce,

behind.

new

ing
accordits face

taken
retaliation,
evils of

the

in
to

was

rightto prohibitsuch

altogether.
Unfortunatelymore
not only an
order was
to the Tories,also

Scott

apparent effect

risk of neutral

and

cost

Its

Essex."

417

TREATY.

Sir William

of

decision

famous

the

than
the

OF

REJECTION

1807.

in

Napoleon's

the

Parliamentary debate four weeks

the order was
attacked,all parties
afterward,when
vocate,
argued it as a matter of retaliation. The King's adSir John
who defended
Nicholls,
it,took the

injustice.In

held

reagh

moment

no

SpencerPerceval
Napoleon'sdecree

that

retaliation

severer

; while

needed

was

for the

that

ground

Lord

and

should

Castle-

have

been

retaliated in full.
"

You

might

the

turn

provisionsof

against themselves," said

said that no British goods
might

you

be

forced

certain entry
and

to be

sail

imposed, which
give a better

.your

own

commodities."

Sir John

Nicholls

"

should
at

entered

price

in.

should

goods

no

the

VOL.

first touched

they

except

might

say that

Perceval

an

at the

would

be

";

and

as

freelyon

decree

they have
the seas,

carried to France

They

custom-house, and
contribute

"

Cobbett's

Debates,viii. 632.

Cobbett's

Debates,viii.635.

to advance

foreign market

27

French

English port.

sale in the

replied: 2

the

to

418
It

"

HISTORY

OF

THE

not

denied

that

was

necessary

; and

the

been

taken

were

had

allow

that

saying

to

henceforth

to

retaliation

Yet

this

' '

laid

present

confine

to

by

In

authorized

himself

the

evident.

the

United

and

had

iii. 158.

the

Only

attached

were

doctrine

of

England'srights.
Lord

Howick

Howick

moderation

the

to

which

has

Erskine,1

to

have

determined

exercise

measure

was

of

at all

for
the

the

power

represented as

an

the

of the self-contradiction

reason
a

before

week
had

this

concluded

letter

treaty

was

with

involvingthe rightsof neutrals,

to it

note

to the

effect that if the

States failed to resist the Berlin

to

law

in such a manner
superiority
by the acknowledged principles

The

States

would

Erskine

equivalent

naval

written, the ministers

Howick

to

of the Berlin
illegality
diplomacy it was
represented as an act
of the
by the acknowledged principles

law of nations."

steps that

necessary

was

which

Lord

extra-legal
act, justified
by

United

; it

of
in

were

adopted."

that

measure

and

his decided

Parliament

Decree.

was

18.

of nations."

of the law

In

the

of international

wrote

is authorized

only as

was

frank

form

forbearance

him

given

"

had

distinguishedhis conduct,

times

CH.

Jefferson.

Majesty,"

that

It

aside,and

the

not

was

President

His

with

rules

to be the

was

addressed
"

the

far

...

ministers

clear and

be

how

was

adequate.

All this seemed

STATES.

steps in retaliation

some

question

fair trial to what

UNITED

Decree

but
acquirethe rightto retaliate,

had

land
Engnot

Erskine, Jan. 8, 1807; Cobbett's Debates,x. 558.

State
Papers,
Madison, March
12, 1807; American
to

retaliation

that

hinted

MONROE'S

OF

REJECTION

1807.

As

acquiescenceshould happen.
the British government had no
bound

was

order, from

Howick's

the

stood,

matter

Lord

act; and

to

point of view, could

that

of

case

but
rightto retaliate,

America

for

wait

to

until the

intended

was

419

TREATY.

be

not

defended.
From

equally

indefensible

act of retaliation at

of 1756.

Strange

Unlikely

true.

transaction
doubt

States

; that

he

neutral

had

cut it off at the other.

in

offered

never

and

trade

criticism

much

Lord
but

Lord

step further

one

the

"

no

one

of the

at

became

at

cutting off
as

voyage,

Lord

Pitt

that

their

Whether

ment,
Parlia-

argument

"

was

when
unintelligible

Edinburgh Review,

Grenville

lengthin

much

Edinburgh Review

party measure.1
1

only

made
not
Whig ministrywas
in England. The
as
Whigs

argued

convinced

task,and

aimed

end

one

of the

Howick

of the

this

no

pretext,

order; that

defence.
intelligible

an

upon

at

America

sound

even

left

the

was

go

an

the Rule

admissions

Howick's

the

so

not

was

probably
Grey, Lord
partiesto a

be

Decree

to

Whigs

was

Earl

could

was

applying the Rule of 1756 againstUnited

commerce

This

that it

own

was

the

year

that

Grenville

Lord

of

applicationof

an

it seemed

as

Order

the

say, this assertion

to

intention

true

Pitt in

than

ground

Napoleon's Berlin

cause,

Howick's

the

evasive,their

so

that

the

not

within

all,but

Lord

Holland, and

and

take

obliged to

were

point of view

other

every

the

xxii. 485.

was

ashamed
it touched
conduct

of

420

HISTORY

Lord

OF

Grenville's

THE

UNITED

STATES.

administration

as

was,

CH.

18.

vigorous

Tory pamphleteer said,1a pieceof chicaneryof which

have
been
an
attorney'sclerk would
ashamed, was
In Engfor English historians to decide.
matter
a
land
but a few merchants
at that day none
or
licans
Repubbelieved in the honor
or
honesty of the United
States government or people; but in this instance it
not
the honor
that
was
or
honesty of Americans
the English critics denied : it was, on
the contrary,
the good faith of their own
most
distinguishedand
trusted
Lord
Grenville and Lord
most
noblemen,
Sidmouth, Earl Grey and Lord Holland, Lord Erskine
and
Lord
Lansdowne, Lord Ellenborough and Earl
and
Fitzwilliam; and in the light of such conduct
if
could not be greatly blamed
criticism,Americans
lish
they refused to admit the ground on which these Enggentlemen claimed a better reputationfor truth
or
willingto allow Napoleon.
honesty than they were
of pillage
Robbery against robbery, the English mode
than the
less respectable
seemed
the whole
on
"

French.
The

Whigs

were

disposed toward

well

nations,they knew
carry

British

liberal
peace

was

every
1

an

manufactures

market

additional

to

instinct ;
with

ships alone
European

way

burden

on

closed to neutrals

and

commerce

in the

Courtney'sAdditional
Treaty,London, 1808, p. 89.
T. P.

and

neutral

that

Every impediment put

tradition

by

was

Observations

market
on

the

could

market.

of neutral
British

all

merce
com-

produce ;
closed
American

REJECTION

1807.

From

England.

to

OF

the rules of

; not

common-sense

violence

equalled in
bad

faith

this

measure

rivalled
was

Lord

view

How-

political
economy

defended

be

to

421

TREATY.

point of

Whig

violated

ick's order

MONROE'S

and

aggressionsof Pitt,arid

the

it

excused,

or

in

the

deceptionsof Napoleon. Yet

the

last

of

act

Ministry

more

destined
to see
England was
again for
Hardly had Lord Grenville made this
twenty years.
the old King,
concession
to Tory prejudicewhen
clinging
nearly blind and on the verge of insanity,
with the persistenceof age, seized
to his prejudices
liberal

the

than

pretext

Catholics

of

and

the

to

from

still
American

md

jord

Grenville
Houses

of

out

and

his

Lord

such

treaty, had

councils.
nounced
an-

their dismissal

not

were

likelyto
neutral

rest

Castlereaghin

main

Pitt

had

until

they had

limb

spared,
put

by Spencer Perceval

their

the

of
the
an

altogether. This

commerce

foreshadowed

on

selves
thought them-

off another

which

commerce,

was

Roman

Howick

of Parliament

obligedto lop

to American

mlt

Whigs

the

the

to

office.

States

United

two

concession

friendly Whigs, after imposing

the

Tories

turned

26, 1807, Lord

March

If

small

some

Lord

speeches on
to which

and

Howick's

the

and
legislation
mblic
opinion of England had pointed for years.
time for negotiationhad gone by, and nothing
te

order,and

was

jmained

for

the

the

end

United

States

but

trial

of

strength.
For

this final test Jefferson

was

ready. Congress

422

HISTORY

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

18.

placed in his hands powers which in his opinion

interests abroad
and
were
ample to protect American
On sufficient provocationhe could exclude
at home.
British
ships-of-warfrom American
waters, and if
they should refuse to depart he might enforce the
His
Non-importationAct against British commerce.
conduct
tation.
proved that he felt neither fear nor hesiHe had "never expected a satisfactory
treaty
that
from England, and he had good reason
to know
should
succeed
in making
Monroe's
treaty,if Monroe
than none.
be worse
Early in February,
one, must
and Pink1807, arrived the despatch from Monroe
had
decided
to
ney announcing that the two envoys
the
depart from their instructions and to abandon
Madison
replied,1
February
impressment ultimatum.
and that it
3, that no such treaty would be ratified,
would
ate,
be better to let the negotiationquietlyterminstanding
leaving each party to follow an informal underhad

; but

that if such

signed,the

British

apprisedof

the

That

should

for not

reasons

was

he

without
certain

have
be

made

been

candidly

expectingits

treaty,if

returned

British government

treaty should

commissioners

Monroe's

rejectedand

be

tion.
ratifica-

one,

would

ratification to

long before

the

it reached

America.

of England,no
inflexibility
President Jefferson and Secretary
doubt could exist.
of necessity,
to
Madison
as
were
determined,in case
On

that

Madison

Papers, iii.

point,as

to

153.

Monroe

on

the

and

Pinkney,

Feb.

3, 1807;

State

REJECTION

1807.

British

attack

Rose

George

OF

MONROE'S

manufactures
bent

were

although the

trade ; but

423

TREATY.

Spencer

as

Perceval

and

cutting off American

upon

Americans

fullymeant to use
commercial
against British aggression,they
weapons
for a good working arrangement
earnestlywished
which, without

under

could

be

anxious

only to

the winter

Throughout

of his attachment

policy at home

the
the
end

cordial relations.

of 1806-1807
a

Jefferson

foundation

made

for all his

abroad.

Congress, under the

left foreignaffairs alone,
friendship,

quarrelled only

General

commerce

challenging a rupture,

encourage

England

and

securityof Fox's
and

to

and

treaty, peace

So far from

secure.

they were

Turreau's

domestic

about

made

matters

; while

irritable

by
attentions lavished upon David
Montague Erskine,
British minister, who, Nov.
new
4, 1806, put an
to

began
The

the

adventures

the easy

task

winter

of

who

saw

Turreau,

temper

of

was

more

of

Merry at Washington,
winning popularity.

1805-1806

had

France

control

favorable

been

American

and

to

policy
toward
Spain and St. Domingo ; while a stringent
Act of Congress prohibitingthe importationof British
manufactures
brought within his sight the chief
a
war
object of French
diplomacy in America,
between
the United States and England. The winter
of 1806-1807
promised to undo this good work, and
States to the verge of war
to bring the United
even
with
France.
The
first measure
recommended
by
the President
and adopted by Congress
-'the suspension
of the Non-importationAct
annoyed Turreau.
"

"

"

424

HISTORY

Monroe's

Turreau

after

Congress met,

STATES.

in London

signed

treaty was

Washington

at

UNITED

THE

OF

CH.

December

1 ;

12,1 soon

December

wrote,

18.

"

of the
judge by the talk and countenances
favorable
to
great people, this Congress will be more
England than the last was ; and already its leader, under
If I

"

to

am

President's

the

Mr.

see

and
that

subject of Spanish differences,

shall

maritime

our

the

as

would

which
and

effect

to

To

of

the

be

very

neutrals.'

the

English

and

well

with

as

that

going

are

it would

the

England,

to

'

I have

make

an

be

Gulf

makes

Stream

advantageous

knew

Napoleon

with

angry

as

by

both

itself felt,
"

to

belligerents

''

who

persons

Power,

into

already done
had not interruptednegotiation. Perhaps
the right to extend
obtain,'he added,
far
and
to carry it as
jurisdiction,

us,

even

Congress met,

Really,'replied the President,

that

death

before

negotiations entered

that
4

think

Fox's

on

all the

arrangement with

we

honor

the

succeed.

if Mr.

the

him,
with

to

I had

government.

sition
dispo-

evening

Government

reason

benevolent

the

probably

would

Jefferson
to

to say

British

the

toward
to

invitation, shows

own

for

that
his

Jefferson
faithless

then

was

conduct

in

this assurFlorida negotiation,

ance
preventingthe new
of the
of English friendship gave
a
measure
President's
willing to irritate
diplomacy. He was
and

Turreau

criticisms
1

the

alarm

Tnrreau

Etr., MSS.

took
:

French

minister, and

refuge

in

he

succeeded.

speculations and

sharp

"

to

Talleyrand,Dec. 12,

1806

; Archives

des

Aff.

REJECTION

1807.

know

"I

OF
whether

not

in

favor

pronounced

the

of

two

the

first overtures

few

days

of

result of

Federal

the
have

Excellency
talked

of

relative
which

making

to

then

was

in

me

making,
his

his

or

to

here

for whom

"

delirium.

on

last

interview,

and

he

your

President

Russian

maritime

great object,

And

the

spring
the

to

Jefferson,

sovereign

confederation,

which,

has

he

as

given

not

is,a grand eulogium

sured
as-

up,

"

of Alexander

savages."

Madison,

in prosperous

even

with

General

upon

himself

times

Turreau, managed
the chief

never

favorite

usual

as

draw

to

weight of diplomaticsuspicion

wrath.

and

The

"

unexpected change

government," continued
bearing toward
the

toward

minister

whom,

as

reiterated

to

wish
which

State

to

unite
has

"is

of

he

has

of

and
and

it with

forgotten

that

Power,
at

the

"

does
reason

his

tary's
secre-

that

he

not

love,

to

know,

protestations,

attachment

but

the

(prevenances)

he

the

Federal

Not

to

Government's

the

strengthen

that

that

attentions

weakened

the

it.

unfortunatelygood

that

of

such

deranged by

satiety,of personal

maintain

views

France, whom

of

France,

of

is

system

I have

he distrusts ; not

in the

Turreau,
me

his

renounced

has

and

Alexander,

unarmed

his custom

as

arrived

Mr.
particularly

that

of

last

our

and

overtures

plan

from

borders

recall

may

patches
last des-

the

ated
already infatuthey seem
it may
whether
not
finally,

or,

hints

which

first effect of

to

Erskine, who

government,

England

to

whom

some

admiration

an

and

this

negotiating at London,

Mr.

with

(tresengoue)
be the

regard

425

TREATY.

attribute

to

envoys

and

ago,

MONROE'S

the

terests
in-

constant

friendly relations
the

beginning

Secretary of
of

this

year

426

HISTORY

of

only subject

UNITED

the

stop the

to

government

STATES.

the

of

event

CH.

fixed

resolution
of

course

her

18.

Austerlitz,

private conversations

our

and

England,

of

THE

after
particularly

and

[1806],
the

OF

was

plaint
com-

of the

Federal

either

wrongs

by

repressionor reprisals. He has forgotten that the steps

obtain
to
taken
from
by the Executive
Congress the
famous
Non-importation Bill, now
suspended, were
so
attention

Madison

the

of

out

far

Federal

government

talks

'

has

sufficed

to moderate

sentiments.'

Jefferson

Burr's
him
"

Mr.

; he

tries

relates to that
of

her,

the

that

the

the

of

St.

James

took direct notice

of

in

regard to Florida,but they led

that England was
their favorite ;

dislike of America

Americans

and

decided.

more

in order

success

Cabinet

He

came
be-

hoped for

to relieve the

pressure

Burr's

cannot

upon

"

It

to

seems

; but

of which

will

MSS.
fitr.,

if

we

I have

Turreau

me

interests

England

hopes

England

complaints

Madison

consequence

to the

that

Now

"

nor

think

Turreau's
in

influence.

whatever

called

humiliating,

congratulate itself

bring

to

Napoleon'sconduct
and

rather

or

about

me

to

Randolph

Fox, though unfortunatelytoo short, has

Mr.

to

to

making

nevertheless

Turreau

ministerial

of

from

and

Neither

John

conversations

our

Power,

ministry of

that

flung severe,

agents

longer

no

keep

and

them,

to

at

taunts

to

ill-concealed

and

marked

to

had

that

of

success

France, although

favor

him,

"

doubtless

be

trary
con-

convinced

am

with

other

to-day the Floridas, the importance

felt it my

duty to

Talleyrand,Jan.

recall to you,

12, 1807;

Archives

I think
des

Aff.

REJECTION

1807.

showed

for it.

wish

official and

both

the

by

In

the

All

427

TREATY.

would

be

reports, and

positive, agree

only

we

I have

had

the

regrets

to

as

if

ours

great majorityof inhabitants

such,
pressed
ex-

living

at not

rule."

French

under

MONROE'S

Orleans

New

that

guarantee

can

OF

of

middle

when
February, at a moment
Americans
expected daily the arrival of a British
concessions,Napoleon's
treaty marked
by generous

Berlin Decree

States.

the United

reached

Commerce

instantlyparalyzed,and merchants, Congressmen,

Cabinet, and President turned to Turreau anxiously

was

inquiringwhat
the

British
much

so

as

no

answer.

he

wrote

put

Your

home,1
in

us

at the

by
frigateat

"

of France

and

Islands

and

Erskine

would

have

have

reconciled

exerted

was

been

so

to

no

conduct

well
in

in

in

Lord
order
at

the

of

any
the

23, 1807

than

Grenville
install

to

the

head

of

British
Senate

Berlin

Decree

regard to Florida

remonstrances

Talleyrand,Feb.

lower

never

not

influence

objectionsto a
weight with the

to almost
aware

does

The

Eldon

tolerable

keep

give them
readilybelieve,"

turned

Lord

of

could

was

of power,

had

Madison

himself

Turreau

MSS.
fctr.,

States

Jefferson's

Emperor's

Turreau

and

not

circumstance

England
out

treaty had

the

this

could

position here."

when

Spencer Perceval
a
Tory reaction.
if the

that

"

this blockade

which

Turreau

sea.

in the United

Lord

treaty

Power

Excellency will

better

moment

by

meant

was

would

British alliance.

danger
and

that

he

semi-threats,

; Archives

des

Aff.

428

OF

HISTORY

and

told
"

that

at

off the

to throw

for all

States

to

treaty

any

by

the

of

view

themselves

the

recent

under

have

better

to

secure

and

commerce

did

that

the

United

expressly

not

treaty would

no

made

fate
and

the

under

pices
aus-

that

had

overtaken

Venice, which

had

put

auspices of

the

produced

argument

another

guaranty of Napoleon.

like Switzerland

Powers

and

of

which

by England unless

and
In

freedom

disputed points,and

observed

be

of that Power

particularly
improper for

was

accept

all

secure

yoke

navigating nations

seas,"it

the

after

Cabinet

18.

Europe, leagued together

ing
labortyranny of England, was

maritime

againstthe

CH.

when

moment

of the

member

one

STATES.

UNITED

THE

Napoleon, this
Turreau
might
task of repairing

conviction.

no

English the

left to the

lated
Napoleon'smistakes ; but these mistakes had accumuuntil it depended upon
England alone whether
Not
States should
the United
join her in the war.
onlyhad the Emperor offended Jefferson and Madison
by his peremptory stoppage of the Florida purchase,

also declared

he had

"

in

but

decree

with

his

Turreau
from
1

in the

minister

own

"tr.,MSS.

at

to

could

front

toward

Spain

in such

Talleyrand,April 1,

meet
1807

and

difficulties he left
discredit

beg sixty thousand

Treasury to

not

connected

mysteriousway

face of these

to

commerce

Madison

and

Washington

reduced

was

the American
Turreau

some

change of

sudden

Florida ; while
his

be in

American

upon

Jefferson

which

suspect to

war

consular
; Archives

that

dollars
expendes

Aff.

REJECTION

1807.

ditures

at

when

moment

MONROE'S

OF

complaints

he should

the

about

have

been

ing
press-

stroyed
frigate Impe'tueux,"de"

English within

the

429

TREATY.

American

jurisdiction,
he should have
been
and when
threatening the most
if President
Jefferson should sign
fatal consequences
with England.1
any treaty whatever
from
In this temper all partieswaited for the news
could
not
long be delayed ; until
England, which
March
3, 1807, the last day of the session,a rumor
had
arrived
the Capitol that a messenger
reached
British
at the
legation with a copy of the treaty
The
news
was
negotiated by Pinkney and Monroe.
by

No

true.

hurried

he

would

with

to detain

for
he

bring

two

Madison

found
"

the

The

first
on

that

I had

to that
of

the
J

Etr., MSS.

to

that

them

either

by

the

that

he

power

notice

he

Unlike

Merry, Erskine
reconciliation between
a
England
tried honestly and
over-zealously
nearly so
he

into

accord,

earnest

asked

American

not

hopes

the

ships ;

when

perceived anything

question in
I

of

any

had

the

15,

that

Articles

received,

Talleyrand,May

had

of seamen,

and

1807

he
;

but

himself

as

what

was,

point of impressment

treaty which

Turreau

give

treaty than

President

has

again."

question

British,out of

him

he

in

"

the

governments

not

the

to

or

them

convene

America;

to

as

do,

to

anxious

and

persuade

to

the

receive

Madison,

Senate,which'

the

Constitution

was

it to

induced

be

should

did Erskine

sooner

he
:

termined
de-

been

claimed
informed

ferred
directlyre-

of

the

copy

expressed
Archives

des

the
Aff.

430

HISTORY

OF

THE

greatest astonishment
which

note

and

November

in

settled

the

the

upon

wait

unable

the

same

ready

go

to

the

upon

to

Mitchill,the
be

The

sioners,
commis-

treaty,by Lords
Bonaparte's decree of
his

attention;

have

the

and

prevented,

he

if all

treaty, even

been

all the

points

required by

their

night the two Houses of

mittee
adjourn,sent a jointcomPresident,who was
unwell,

usual

as

from

senator

call of the

the

to

New

the

committee, asked

would

Congress,when
to

had

18.

the

and
satisfactory,

that

terms

o'clock

ten

been

of

CH.

American

itself would

ratification

of it had

commissioners."

this

the

to

relative to

that the note

the Articles

and

disappointment.

signatureof

Auckland,

convinced,

At

the

STATES.

attracted
21, particularly

he observed
was

and

delivered

was

previous to
Holland

UNITED

Capitol.

York,

President

Senate

of

member

whether

to consider

Dr.

the

there

treaty.2

Certainlynot," replied Jefferson ; and he added

that
the only way he could account
for our
ters
minisstances
having signed such a treaty under such circumwas
by supposing that in the first panic
of the French
imperialdecree they had supposed a
and
to be inevitable,
that America
make
must
war
"

"

with

common

cause

continue

amicable

the
The

England.
relations

He

with

should,however,
England,

and

tinue
con-

suspension of the Non-importationAct."

received

senators

Jefferson's

annoyance.
1

Erskine

Diary of J. Q. Adams,

to

Ho

wick, March

this rebuff with

act

in

6, 1807

i. 495.

ill-concealed

refusing to
; MSS.

consult

British Archives.

REJECTION

1807.

them

about

and

"

matter

which

one

than

rather

OF

MONROE'S

important as

so

from

the

President's

of the boldness

instance

which

theory that Jefferson

the

minds

defy England
enemies

was

of his
war

under

could

he

not

France

and

narrowing
will

own

timid

the

treaty

contradicted
To

man.

; and

needed

that

which

on

nary
ordi-

single-handedto
circle of foreign

the

him

own

another

President

afford

treaty

their

was

"

sometimes

; that

about

been

scheme

clear that

it seemed
that

support ;

was

British

first had

the

431

TREATY.

to
might depend, exposed him
which
he
might be crushed.

to

peace

press
supand

responsibilities

Although the
not
been
treaty was
yet published, enough had
said to make
senators
extremely curious about its
contents
not
they were
; and
pleased to learn that
the President
meant
to tell them
nothing,and cared
too little for their opinion to ask it. Of all the senators
the most
formidable
Samuel
Smith
intriguerwas
of Maryland, who
the next day confidentially
wrote
to
Wilson
Gary Nicholas a letter full of the fresh impressions
*
which
gave life to Smith's privatelanguage:
A

"

copy

President
Adams
in
the
to tell the

MSS.

S.

treaty

with

carried

of

cause

Smith

I must
to

W.

it,and

the

last

his wrath.
his

senators

arrived
to

last
Dr.

evening.

Mitchill

message)

and

expressed

strong terms, tellingin broad

strong, very

then
correctly,
1

the

is angry

(who

anger

of

C.

He

objections.
be

requested
If the

permitted

Nichoks, March

to

the

doctor
think

4, 1807

The
Mr.
his
guage
lan-

doctor

repeated
there
;

was

Nicholas

432

little of

not

was

at

the

it shall

Senate.

He

he

and

sick,it
of

and

is true,

him

Mr.

Mfadison].

was

It

shall

satisfaction

be

made

consulting the

the

far

treaty,

so

acceptable,
in

his

that

nay,

"

mind.

fancy

pleased therewith.
the

please,will
should

he

in

not

to

to

British

continue

cannot

prevent),
him.

advise
.

Will
.

or

He
not

themselves

have

In
Smith

another

treated

as

the

the

said,

story

be

it

it would
him

on

Senate?

But

if

Senate

the

could

he

vise,
ad-

give

conduct

his

You

positive
both

make

no

the

may

manner.

conceive

war

subject ought,
of

admits

perfectly

great

very

outcry?

to

return

written
letter,

rehearsed

be

points

P[inkney]

and

one

he

depredations (which he

by

us

the

return

yet

unusual

his

be

whole

The

formal

exceptions to

should

by

men
sea-

P[resi-

and

will

would

query

their

stumped

insulted, and

been

If

will

what

few

be

even

of

points, might

together?'

increase

M[onroe]

Administration?
to

Senate

President

consulting the

this

accept,

question.

answer

he

in all other

without
to

call the
this

merchants

on

the

conceive,

great delicacy."
tHe

in

M[adi-

The

; and

but

not
responsibility
it back

the

full

other

are

then

answer

is determined

why

If

send

M[adison]

there
the

with

seen

without

all the

to

as

to the

worried

impressment

Senate

the

(expectingless

opinion

thereupon,

treaty without

President

and

instructions.

dent] speaks positivelythat,

18.

calling the Senate,

to

the

in the

non

qua

vexed

"

I have

seems

the

submitting it

in

concurs

CH.

originalback

the

as

stopped here, and

sine

said

it, for Madison

differs with

....

He

received, without

better

had)

STATES.

send

to

R[obert] S[mith]

son]

UNITED

heightening.

be

was

think

may

than

THE

present determined

moment

he

OF

HISTORY

same
a

few

day, General
words, which

REJECTION

1807.

OF

MONROE'S

433

TREATY.

provedthat Smith had a full share of the shrewdness

the future
that was
lacking in Jefferson. He saw
often saw
what
as
clearlyas politicians
philosophers
of Jefferson appeared in
overlooked ; but his jealousy
word

every

General

by

was

one,

of

knowledge

agreed

it), did

Monroe

and

in
to

it will.

is

their

system

where

you

power

will

; immense
ensue

this will be

brought
S. Smith
in.

'

You

to

he

in time

an

say,

losses would

of

not

Jefferson

and

said, this

will be

to W.
"

28

C.

new

in
'

peace

Madison

"

to

believed.

suspect

British

their

of

war

the

treaty
;

had

ceeded,
suc-

why

unreasonable

Great
And

Monroe

4, 1807

; Nicholas

was
tipathy
an-

Britain

partieswill arise, and

Nicholas,March

tinue
con-

of

time

happened
and

appear

may

general outcry

Monroe's
have

home,

come

impressment
only by their

bounded

If

refuses

perhaps

trade

not

Jealousyof Monroe,

forward

it the

sustained

are

was

responsibility

amount

excess

treaty

he

Pinkney

to

the

disgraces his ministers,

and

shall

losses

all will

by

VOL.

What

accede

to

Senate

that he

and

the

President

The

known

measure

Monroe

refused

carried

it refused?'

of

are

those

be

back

depredations,to

whole

of which

negotiators.

approbation.

refusal

(given

convention

the

publish the treaty. It

justification
the eyes of all unprejudiced men,
By

is

the

the

the

Britain.

It is well

to

one.

of

advise

Great
of

By sending it

and

good

their

it to

submit

he takes

Senate

the

by

coerced

intention

with

It arrives.

effected.

was

Administration,

unanimously

nomination

his

to

his

the

was

negotiate a treaty

to

the first construction

given, too, immediately after

"

what

framed

that

and

Washington

Jefferson

to

"

Senate, agreeablyto

The

"

"

will
those
MSS.

434

HISTORY

adverse
.

got all
under

put all

we

ask?

we

do to

we

coerce

such

Then

where

stand

and

the

'

Shall

we

has

The

done

people

The

hazard

put

The

fair

right,and
little

care

landed

But
be

opponent

set

to

satisfied ;

not

time

to

martyr, and

why?

has

about

for

his

interest

I have

And

take

is

called

importation?
non-

they will.

will

merchant

nothing

or

their

believe

the

will

Congress

everything

President.
his

Will

Randolph

What,

the

18.

not

What

continue

I cannot

J.

have

No!

to

is

martyr will be

he

consent

be?

CH.

we

non-importation.

we

etc.?

war?

to

go

etc.
flourishing,'
will
speech. Monroe

country

make
the

ask,

because

jeopardy

suspect not;

shall

STATES.

brought together by interest.

we

More

inconvenience

such

be

circumstances

who,

men

UNITED

to

Will

of

THE

will
politically

Shall

OF

Because

advised
the

wrong.

seamen."

closelythe subjectwas studied the more

it appeared that Monroe
had to all appearance
clearly
the Administration
knowingly embarrassed
ing
by signa

more

Jefferson

; but

Tacit

that

and

to

consult

withholdingof

imperious
more

this he

treaty for

That

No

President's

to
unnecessarily

act

President

the

even

refused

Monroe's
the

added

of the

by refusing the treaty before

abandonment
of impressments was

concession

he

in contravention

treaty

the

the

Senate

reason

which

treaty

public should

of Jefferson's

was

an

ever

be

he
the

read

more

on

the

would

land,
Eng;

of

caused

with

land.
Eng-

satisfied with

this

demand.

exposed him

stimulated

yet

merits

have

made

it.

utmost

hope from

extravagant

administration

or
misinterpretation,

his embarrassment

probably fightfor

must

every

treatment

could

ders
or-

to

belief in

REJECTION

1807.

of

his hatred

known

he

Not

until

in

the

did

days

after

letter1 which

neutral
of

shadow

some

it

though

but the truth

to

tell Erskine

would

"

be

Monroe

the

forbearance
Jefferson

soothed

contradicted

him

the

the

second

President

the

government of New

Madison

Same

Jefferson to

to

Erskine, March

to same,

March

as

ward
after-

to

our

new
merce
com-

2
rights."

with

the

of

Instead
of

Orleans

old
were

friend,
lated
calcu-

pressed upon

Territory:

States in
; State

utmost

reproaching,

his

feelings,and

20, 1807

mild

the

"

It is

importance,

Papers,iii.158.

29, 1807; Ibid.,159.

Monroe, March

and

treaty in

ruinous

wrote

office in the United

have

days

operationof

reports which

Monroe's

a
striction
re-

might

Monroe's

irritation

newspaper

to wound

of

the

kindness.3

and

new

for such

evident

essential

our

it

ten

Erskine

background,

proceeding as

contrary to

about

the

obliged ten

was

interrupt his study

as

To

too

that

When

solelyagainst America

to

order
order

became

the

Council

in

to

though

as

directed

Madison

treatment, and

wrote

was.

read

was

Washington,

legalityin

soon

it

effort to treat

trade

not

were

fusal
re-

all its

doubt.

more

treaty, Madison
an

did

Order

no

reached

showed

of

until

not

of

treaty

for weeks

Howick's

admit

order

the

his

less decided

been

faultythe

studied

Lord

character

of this

news

have

first how
been

of

light

its

would

evident; and

become

than

treaty before the Senate.

at

it had

435

TREATY.

of commerce,

and

the President

Perhaps
had

MONROE'S

England

lay Monroe's

to

faults

OF

21, 1807; Works,

v.

52.

436

HISTORY

and

OF

still in

am

to let you

need

THE

hopes

he

did

said little ; but what

criticism

it,my

dear

treaty

when

would

made

to

it will be

to have

bear,
"

He

nothing."

screwed

back

he

could, lettingit

to

informal

of the

out

got,

die

the

others.

severe

Depend

"

considered

as

British

if

on

hard

ers
commission-

Article

far

as

"

and
insensibly,

it

as

yielded

nothing better

negotiation

until

treaty

more

everything and

urged Monroe,

be

18.

public has

to

was

say

every

taken

the

regard

The

it is known.
to have

"

yet

Sir,that

appear

while

In

he

CH.

will accept it ; it is impossibl

you

of talents."

much

any

STATES.

stay at home

so

than

UNITED

could

well

as

as

substituting

per
yieldingtemthe President wrote
should rise. Next
privately
to Bowdoin, his wandering minister to Spain,to whom
Armstrong had shut the doors of the legationat Paris
for betrayingits secrets,and who in return
ing
abuswas
If a quarrel
Armstrong with recriminations.
should
arise with England, it might at least be made
to bring Florida again within reach.
some

"

to

but

have

Bowdoin,1
their

from

tie up

our

"that

am

to

of
1

or

that

just.

desire

Jefferson to

more

the

for

To

President

will

retire

impressment

without

from

This

the

government
that

the

non-intercourse

restrictions.
our

in

wrongs

by treaty

become

commercial

British

the

certain

hands

non-importation
interest

little expectation," wrote

habitual

and

seamen,

agreement

show,

to

bring

make
on

never

Works,

it her
a

however,

conciliation,I have

Bowdoin, April2, 1807

will

we

our

right of passing

Act

may

of

war

the

of
cerity
sin-

suspended
v.

63.

REJECTION

OF

Non-importation

Act.

1807.

the

understood

be

the

auspices

that

we

In

should

fact

we

which

an

be

of

that

did

and

and

friendship of

France.

friendship of

the

Spain
ask

do

to

but

We

to

Russia

for the

treaty of
no

by

be

they

if

has

purely

value

abandon

or

in

be

to

of

possession

of

out

the

from

the

either

her

our

on

set

we

will

he

stantly
con-

kept

expect, therefore,
that

rent
belligeanother

have

we

among

soldiers

the

Spain

been

the

toward

act

lishment
estab-

peace*,

persons

it has

Emperor

month

one

and

nation

from

justice

us

cordiality.

unless

till now,

France,

to

respect

her

of

off

under

strictest

the

; and

us

Spain

of

the

your

important

injustice than

practised against
hands

with

on

it is all

taking

ship,

Never

perfidy

more

of

used

whom

her

on

rights by

neutral

enemy.

with

depend

neutral

should
out

in terms

should

things

effort

every

with

France,

to

of

state

differences

our

stand

are

of

of

of

and

437

TREATY.

This

Paris,

at

accommodate

to

part

MONROE'S

compel
We

us.

the

city of

Mexico."

In

than a
more
realityJefferson needed somewhat
month
to be in possessionof Mexico, although the
have reached
Spaniardsmight without much difficulty
New

Orleans

been

able

in less time.

print

to

semi-admissions

been
to

had

gain

to

great

as

Mazzei
no

and

the
as

when

to

that

dependence

or

caused
; but

in

wage

Floridas,the

Paine

influence

close at hand

in

the

Federalist

letter to Bowdoin,

of intent

against England
order

the

Had

by

importance, and
Jefferson

was

its
war

Napoleon

scandal

truth

with

commercial

upon

the

press

would

famous
this
the

to become

in

have
letters

flightytalk
time

was

helpless.

438

HISTORY

THE

OF

the will of

Between
and

the fixed theories

the

other,Jefferson's
who

Madison,

freedom

which

other

no

of action

Monticello

result than

The

"

to be

shape

becomes
to

colonial
and

imports
favored

be

would
of

case

essential
without

by
to

to

be

done,

carrying

preparing
form

of

those

an
an

to

have

been

begin

to

limit

over

nial
practice the colo-

probably

Articles
be

to

our

be

more

forwarded,

or

The

expected.

Something seems
anything likelyto be done

is

in the

disuse

two

negotiation.

British

graduated
years

all other

at

missioners
com-

urgent.

matter

ultimatum,

who

would

the

power

In

course.

more

nor

fresh

overture

exception

no

is

impressments

necessary

reserved

our

by

are

our

perplexing.

remodifications

any

to Jefferson

impressments, leaving the

objects, to their own
course

that

on

they

his
and

new

he wrote

more

everything else

than

to

of

subject
which

and

uncover

eventuallybe

influence

trade

of

and

more

have

Smith

instructions to

to the

given

other

may

able,
treaty toler-

"

trade, with
the

to

the

to

treaty

lemma
di-

tions
instruc-

new

the

to

of

suspect that it may

the

horn

General

and

insuperabledifficulties. April 20
at

18.

disappeared.

over

to make

were

called Gallatin

aid, with

CH.

England and France on one side

of Virginiaand Pennsylvaniaon

labored
rapidity,

to Monroe

and

STATES.

rarelyaccepted either

much

with

UNITED

than

from

in

seamen,
an

in

our

such

as

am

the

exception

navigation
have

been

naturalized."

few

A
been

days

later

driven from
1

Madison

to

news

Whigs had
high Tory ministryhad

arrived

and
office,

that

Jefferson,
April 20, 1807

the

; Jefferson MSS.

REJECTION

1307.

OF

Madison

into power.

come

did not

but
late

"

arrival

24, "presents

Cabinet,

was

hand

the

St.

actually take
there

the

James's.

place

to

principlesand

Ministry portend

plexed,
per-

again,1April

at

scene

affairs

ever

treaty.

he wrote

unexpected

subject our

one

than

more

aside his

stated

439

TREATY.

London,"

from

very

it will

On
the

throw

revolution

the

Should

MONROE'S

in the

tions.
calcula-

new

of
dispositions

most

unfriendlycourse.
On
the other
hand, their feeble and tottering situation
and
the force
of their ousted
will probably
rivals, who
be
more
explicit in maintaining the value of a good
fail to inspire
understanding with this country, cannot
new

caution.

It may

be less
those

to

averse

who

the

reply
the

anxiety except
which
"

April

wrote

British

Administration.

The

but

out."

of

In

view

antecedents

and

desire
1

Madison

to

Jefferson

to

Jefferson to

of
to

of

superseded."

treaty,
the

President

is to let the
and

characters

From

fear

foundation.

no

course

few

no
a

"

have

best

anti-American.

nothing to hope

than

adjustment

new

friendlynap;"
of the

will

suggestions showed

could

our

Cabinet

new

convinced,"

"

I know

and

the

to be

these

few

"

Pittites

to

more

negotiationtake
added

instrument

,2 that

21

for

rasa

eyes

and

more

that

haunting fear

Monroe's

to

am

tabula

formed

Jefferson's

also

happen

May
of the

I know

are

them

he
new

true

have

we

that

they will readilylet us

George Canning's character

back
and

ferson's
Spencer Perceval's speeches,Jefbe

allowed

Jefferson,
April 24,

to
1807

Madison, April 21, 1807:

back

out

of

; Jefferson MSS.

Works,

v.

69.

Madison, April 21, 1807; Works,

v.

74.

his

440

HISTORY

treaty

make

out

still

was

of

ways

they

ejecting

London
tones

that

to

signed
a

British

which

left

hold

him

they

would

Monroe

and

view

bargain
him

back

more

chance

to

ditious
expe-

had

perfect

his

May

20

Pinkney.
Before

sent.

frigate
little

let

allowed

was

and

in

his

to

18.

Perceval

and

Canning

had

CH.

him.

Madison

instructions

were

to

They

so.

Nevertheless

new

but

more

STATES.

That

effort

any

unlikely,

quite

was

UNITED

superfluous.

was

would

THE

OF

they

answered
for

discussion.

reached
them

in

XIX.

CHAPTER

MARCH

30, 1807, in

Richmond,
Justice

he

Burr

had

examination
but

been

conferred

the United

the whole

honor

fears.

The

had

Democrats

been

never

-Burr's

projects,whatever

they

in truth

Burr's

of

that

)ts in

success

and

to disbelieve

moral

of

moral

well-educated

instinct
In the

sense

had
case

was

little to
of

sudden

able

to

suade
per-

one

conspiracy,
no

deep

circle

individuals,

more

do

had

were,

Pickering and Griswold, had

society,but was
mostly confined to

4iose want

almost

reallyin danger,

was

of

well-born,well-bred,and

he

Throughout

Jefferson's

that the Union

chance

though

formed

themselves
that

he

as

persons

society,affected
ridiculed

Chief-

in the town,

days

States the Federalists,who

of fashionable

in

commitment.

his country.

upon

conspiracy,and

like

few

Tavern

before

and

many

in the

or

Eagle

brought

was

already treated by

was

had

for

at the

room

Burr

Aaron

Marshall

Although

with

proof
social

Burr, Jefferson himself

that

tinction
dishad

irsistently
ignored danger ; and no one denied that
danger ever existed,it had passed. Burr was fightig for

his

)vernmerit

life

against the

; and

human

power

nature

of
was

encroaching
too simply or-

an

442

think

ganizedto
when

Burr

than

Democrats

the

would

gallows,he
Captain Macheath

were

him

hang

to

the

to

CH.

19.

justiceor remote
ples
princiweak
fightfor life against

the

watching
Even

see

STATES

UNITED

of abstract

the strong.
to

THE

OF

HISTORY

have

amidst

and

gone

the

curious

more

had
as

he

gone

hero, like

admiring

of

crowds

London.
and
Colonel Burr was
Captain Macheath
than
one
gar's
Begpointof resemblance,and the
within
Opera" could have been easilyparalleled

Between

"

more

the

Richmond

prisonat

than

humorous

more

was

; but

part of

no

Burr's

which

gravitywith

the

career

he

with
success
injured tone, and maintained
ceived
Jefferson,being a trivial person, had been deby the stories of Eaton and Wilkinson, until,

took

an

that

influence

the

under

of the

violation

wanton

step toward

commitment,

tedious

their

alarm, he had

right. From
March
30, to the
of

October
trials,

ceased

never

of causeless

20, Burr

effort to

of Burr began to seem

acquittal
secondary importance compared with the

first

last

day

sel
coun-

Jefferson ;

convict

until the

the

his

and

mitted
per-

matter

of

President's

discomfiture.

chief-justice
presidedas
Blennerhassett's
arbiter.
island,where the overt act
of treason was
lay within
charged to have taken place,
circuit. According as he might
the
chief-justice's
the government,
toward
the accused
lean toward
or
he would decide the result ; and therefore his leanings
Over

were

this tournament

matter

of

deep

the

interest.

That

he

held Feder-

alist

Jefferson

notorious

was

feelingshe had
bias except in

given
his

agents of Burr

levying war

guilty of

be

his

against

arms

coming

treasonable
however

minute,

as

of
had

guide

of

indictment

action,and

who

be

to

the

be

who

undertook

under

island,although
committed

Burr

miles
task

from

as

at

the

himself

peared
ap-

of

be

men

force

part,

any

the

of

scene

in the

general

traitors.

But

the

spiracy,
con-

there

treasonable

of

treason

direction
time
was

at

when
in

for the

acts

Blennerhassett's
these

acts

Kentucky, two

were

dred
hun-

away.
was

lawyer enabled
retained

his

not

opinion,the attorney-general

Burr

convict

to

committed

this

has

no

contrary, if

body

for
assembling of men
constitute a levying of war."

strengthof

that

perform

remote

considered

the

actual

an

purpose,

actuallyleagued

are

to

are

however

who

say

effectingby

of

purpose

to

On

is,if

all those

"

or

crime

this

that

for the

purpose,

Court

the

country.

"

actuallyassembled

He

the

of

actually levied,

be

The

two

act

overt

no

of treason

the law

intention

the

can

in

On

of

case

"

individual

must

that

ground

to define

It is not

war

the

the

upon

discharging these

In

in
attorney-general

to the

"

decision

alleged against them, Marshall

was

occasion

taken

clew

no

recent

on

personal dislike to
apart from political
to his probablelegal

but

Swart wout.

and

Bollman

Burr

nourished

prejudicesand

443

TRIAL.

BURR'S

1807.

the

and
difficult,
him

to

Burr's

make

ablest counsel

it

experience as

more

at

the

difficult still.
bar.

First of

444

HISTORY

these

OF

THE

UNITED

STATES.

CH.

19.

Edmund

the
Randolph, prominent among
older Virginialawyers,
who had been attorney-general
and
Secretary of State in President
Washington's
Cabinet.
Edmund
Randolph's style of address was
fects
ponderous, and not always happy ; to balance its deBurr employed the services of John
Wickham,
another
and wit were
Virginian, whose
versatility
A third Virginian,
remarkable.
Benjamin Botts, was
brought into the case, and proved a valuable ally.
more
Baltisummoned
from
was
Finally Luther Martin
was

Martin's

; and

In
a

whole

heart

was

defendingJustice Chase, Luther

great

their

; but

name

President

His

breast.

hatred

became

zeal for Burr

for

the

with

his client.

Martin

had

made

Democrats

and

secondary passion in
was

doubled

by

his

sudden

idolatrywhich the sexagenarian conceived for

to her father's
daughter Theodosia,who came

Burr's

side at

Richmond.
The

government

equal force

with

was

these

represented by
opponents.

no

John

one

of

Breckin-

ridge,the Attorney-Generalof the United States,died

in December, 1806.
son
JefferJan. 20, 1807, President

though
appointed Caesar A. Rodney to the post. Alhe could
Rodney's abilities were
respectable,
by the
hardly have wished to be confronted at once
most
important and difficult State prosecution ever
tried under
Executive
authority. Rodney's duties
He
his health
or
prevented him from attendance.
in the preliminaries,
barely appeared at Richmond
and

then

left the

case

in the

hands

of the

district-

BURR'S

1807.

attorney, George Hay,

from

Jefferson,with
assist

To
services
and

of William

who

took

whom

he

his
was

orders
in

directly

active

pondence.
corres-

Hay the President engaged the

Wirt, then thirty-five
years old,

become

to

promising

445

TRIAL.

an

ornament

to

the

bar;

of the law age gave weight,and

profession
Wirt, though popular, conscientious,admired, and
brilliant in a florid style of oratory,suffered as
a
his
lawyer from
youth and his reputation as an
He
orator.
was
hardly more
capable than Hay of
of
conductinga case which drew upon every resource
third
counsel, Alexander
personal authority. The
of Virginia,was
rior
infeMcRae, Lieutenant-Governor
of his
both
in abilityand
in tact to either
associates.
His temper irritated Hay and offended
the Court, while his arguments added
little strength
to the prosecution.
The first objectof the government was
to commit
Burr
for trial on
well as of
the charge of treason
as
all
Marshall
but
misdemeanor;
promptly checked
hopes of obtaining aid from the court.
April 1 the
chief-justice
delivered an
opinion on the question of
commitment, and took that opportunityto give the
a
district-attorney
warning. Declining to commit
but

Burr

in the

for treason

without

affidavits of Eaton
the

Executive

with

providing proof
u

if it

Several
ever

and

months

occurred.

evidence

stronger than

Wilkinson, Marshall

the

blamed

asperity for neglectof duty

of treason
have
More

in

"

elapsed since
than

this fact did occur,

five weeks

have

elapsed

446

HISTORY

since the

OF

opinion of

THE

the

UNITED

Supreme

STATES.

Court

has

necessityof proving the fact if it exists.

proved? To the Executive
government
of

important power
disturb

the

would

be

since
his

prosecuting those

public
in

easy

Colonel

troops, to

Burr

has

of
for ten

five securities

April 1 he

thousand

than

has

alleged to

have

three

again

dollars

o'clock

on

to appear

at the

It

assembled
fact."

for misdemeanor,

the

under
liberty,

at

may

intervened

establishingthe

only

the

safety.

immediatelyoffered

At

was

is it not

crimes

its

19.

the

is intrusted

whose

committed

was

his behalf.

on

been

time

affidavits

procure

Accordingly Burr
and

less

much

declared

Why

endanger

or

repose

CH.

selves
themnoon
afterbonds
circuit

next

court, May 22, at Richmond.

Marshall's

reproofof
altogetherrespectfulto
government.
taken

No

doubt

Executive

the

co-ordinate

treasonable

place in December,

and

slowness

not

was

branch

of

assemblages had

affidavits could

have

been

brought from Marietta or Nashville within six or

the government
had
known
eight weeks
precisely
what would
be needed, or where
the evidence was
to
go;

but

no

Executive

judge
should

could

within

the

reasonablyrequire that the

five weeks
obey a hint from
ence
implieda long correspond-

Supreme Court which

and
Blenneras
Inquiry at spots so remote
hassett's island,Lexington, Nashville,Fort Massac,
and
Chickasaw
Bluffs. Jefferson was
dignant
naturallyinat being treated with so little courtesy. He
wrote

with

to force

extreme

bitterness about

trials before

it is

Marshall's

to
possible

"

tricks

collect the evi-

BURR'S

1807.

dence."

if

what

In

of

will

nation

If
the

wrong,

him.

remove

which

which

will

will

They

of the

when

endeavors
in

protected
is

it

good

and

if his

Burr

than

suffer Burr
from

was

to

in

error

independent
the

great

setting itself

of

common-sense

class of

offenders

have
now

are

ment
impeach-

again.

this amendment,
would

in

If

their

it will
done
for

;
a

do
.

useful

Constitution, I shall rejoicein it."

Jefferson
escape,

office. No

said that if Marshall

written

to
B.

himself

Marshall
secret

letter in which

Jefferson to W.

the

itself ; for

be commuted

can

The

people will

of

one

tried

be

his condemnation

of the

In substance

threat

produces

punishment

amendment

The

will not

odious

Constitution,and

the

Constitution

the

by

the

government,

overturn

which

farce

protection of
more

to

the

on

well.

branch

that

see

has

principles

this

amend

any

the

selves.
judges for themLegislaturedoes

or

and

of

bear

work

and

As

which

to overturn

then

makes

do

would

distant

see

of this?

all the

opposition to the other two and to the

the nation, proclaims impunity to that
which

some*

mouth

to

But

offender

far

will

They

branches

co-ordinate

the

never

nation.

the

five weeks,

of the Executive

is

Constitution

our

of

day

in

the

or

this, however,

member

speak

we

endeavor

both

judge

can

Natchez

twelve

who

All

threat,with

to

perverted

offenders

republic!

go

return

be

to

are

favorite

decency

less than

taken

law

of

and

for

"

could

Cumberland
never

terms

express

an

threat

returned

in addition

thing
"

He

447

TRIAL.

the

was

made

Jefferson

should

should

be

moved
re-

tion.
of this inten-

the

announced

Virginia senator

Giles,April20, 1807; Works,

William
v.

65.

448

HISTORY

OF

had

Giles,who

B.

THE

been

Judiciary,and would

but

Giles

not

common,

that

swarmed

Richmond

could

courted

see

of

without

new

one

the idea

little

society

in the streets of

second

address

in truth

that
third

or

with

the

the

gloomy and
Jefferson imagined him to
or
justifythe President's

was

that
malignant conspirator

be, he might easilyexcuse

course.

Punctually,May 22,the

consequence

for treason

; and

government
before the

been

to

summoned

merely
leave

government

began.

matter

for

cloud

of

no

tion
ques-

great
Burr

misdemeanor,
of

success,

of witnesses

town

The

vital.

was

doubt

no

grand jury. The

and

act

of indictment

that

indicted,not

be

next

had

of commitment

must

upon

Marshall, and

his side,for
on
chief-justice
a trial of skill and
time,welcomed

intended

19.

effort that the President

an

challenge from

If Marshall

the

The

the

President.

attack

"

and

court-room

CH.

secret,

knew.

Marshall

in the

in every

lead
certainly

the confidant

as

was

STATES.

foremost

the

was

UNITED

swarmed

agents. The

but
the

to appeal-

with

spirators
con-

grand jury
respected citizens of
-

of the most
containingsome
and the court
instructed the
Virginia was
sworn,
A longclerk to place John
Randolph as foreman.
General
Wilkinson, the most important
delay ensued.
from
his way
for government, was
witness
on
New
Orleans ; and while waitinghis arrival from day
and the court
to day, the grand jury took evidence
The
listened to the disputes of counsel.
districtBurr
to commit
the charge of
on
attorney moved
"

BURR'S

J807.

treason, while
duces

motion

was

for

annoying

Executive,

"

than

avowed

directed

and

was

his

has

assumed

himself, and
respected
face

let

of

'

He

down

my

pretend

keep

this

that
as

been

has

the

has
the

the

heart

hell-hounds

And

would

raised
papers

of
a

rewarded

my

him.
of
this

which

are

highly

traitor in the
He

has

persecution,
President

all this absurd

life itself is at stake?

trial,where

back

client

prejudge my

to

proclaimed him

friend.

States, who

"

search

has

war,

the United

an

guiltthere can be no doubt.'

knowledge of the Supreme Being

country which

that

to

into

his

pretended to

slip the clogsof

to hunt

of

the

friend.

the

undertaken

has

by declaring that
He

the

on

in court, launched

appearance

President

The

"

odium

persecutionof which
ment
Martin,at the first mo-

and

against Jefferson

invective

throwing

Luther

victim.

of

subpoena
President,requiring
a

system which Burr's counsel rather

concealed, by declaiming against the

despotism of government
Burr

the

to

for

This
produce certain papers in evidence.
evidentlypart of a system adopted by the

to

defence

his side moved

on

be

to

tecum

him

Burr

449

TRIAL.

of

clamor,

wanted

for

"

long argument followed. Hay, while admitting

the President
might be generally subpoenaed
witness, held that no need of a subpoena had
a
shown, and that in any case
subpoena duces

The
ought not to be issued.
chief-justice
both
after hearing counsel on
sides, read June 13
settled the point in
elaborate
an
decision,which
tecum

Burr's
VOL.

favor.
in.

"

29

450

HISTORY

"If

upon

could

be

construed

national
is

his

sworn

on

the

of

the

for

reason

denied

fillingthe

that

exalted

which

would

than

be

it would

have

can

obeying

no

its

issue

station

because

whole

time

this

exist

his
for

demand
the

at

time

be
required,it would
subpoena, and would rather

not

to

general

is

court

against

reason

be

the court

return

be

19.

President
the

that

if it should

on

than

cannot

duty

and

from

his

apparent

CH.

"the

would

demand

it is

attendance

constitute
court

But

he,

exempt

magistrate

unremitting ;

when

STATES.

Constitution,it

objects.

not

UNITED

stand

to

the

chief

as

THE

principle," said

any

provisions of
duties

OF

of

the

the

issued.

being

subpoena
chief

dispensed with
be
performed ;

of

process

to

the
It

...

person

magistrate is

much

but

fully
cheer-

more

if it be

duty,

in the case."

choice

Nothing could irritate Jefferson more

sensiblythan
this decision.
Only a few months before,in the trial
of Smith
and
Ogden for complicitywith Miranda, he
ordered
had
his Cabinet to disregard the summons
of the court.
Luther
Martin
did not fail to fling
In New
York, on
reproach on him for this act.
the farcical trial of Ogden and
Smith, the officers of
from
the government screened
themselves
attending,
"

under

sanction

the
the

of

farce

same

the

President's
be

may

name.

repeated

here."

haps
PerTo

by Martin and to be ordered about the

country by Marshall, exasperated Jefferson beyond
letter after letter to Hay, filled
He
wrote
reason.

be

insulted

with
"The

resentment

leading
of

the

"

feature

of

our

Constitution

Legislature,Executive,

and

pendence
is the inde-

Judiciary of

BURR'S

1807.

other ; and

each

none

Judiciaryif

the

latter, and
smaller

are

he

subject

were

could

the

to

than

the

independent

commands

disobedience

from

from

him

withdraw

west, and

to

be

for

him

bandy

constantly trudging

him

Executive

imprisonment

to

courts

jealous of this

more

the

would

But

Judiciary.

451

TRIAL.

of

of

the

if

the

pillarto post, keep

north

south

to

entirelyfrom

and

his

east

executive

duties?"1

which
reasoning,2

raised

indeed

was

Unless

argument.
were

admitted

Judiciary never

The

no

rank

of

proprietyof

of the United

this

to Marshall's

answer

the President
the

above

the

and
citizen,

States

endowed

no
duty could be
royalprerogatives,
more
imperativeupon him than that of lendingevery
which
volved
inaid in his power
to the Judiciary in a case
of civil societyand governthe foundations
ment.
No Judiciarycould assume
that
at the outset
duties would
Executive
be interruptedby
necessarily
breaking Jefferson's long visits to Monticello in order
for a day to Richmond.
Consciousness
to bring him
the President's
of this possiblerejoinderdisturbed

with

more

mind

so

advance
"

and

chief

retirement
season,
made

from

he
for

it is

to

the

should

Jefferson to

U. S.

of

seat

be

told
the

that

apparent

magistrate do

carryingon

vs.

'

says

unremitting.'

not

are

undertook

he

it

meet

in

"

Judge
as

that

much
:

The

duties

than

not

If

alludes

government
that

such

President's

his whole

demand
he

the

to

time,
annual

our

during the sickly

arrangements

public business, at

and

are

between

Hay, June 20, 1807; Works, v. 102.

Kendall,Cranch's Circuit Court Reports,v.

385.

452

OF

HISTORY

several

the

stations

there

as

if

we

UNITED

THE

take, that it goes

we

at the seat

were

would
district-attorney

The

this to the

Marshall

treat

'ments could be made

at

it

as

Monticello,why

carryingit

on

he

could

they

19.

tingly
unremit-

government."
dared

have

must

carrying on

CH.

as

admission.

an

for

of

on

hardly have

for
chief-justice,

would

STATES.

the
not

tell

felt that

If arrangeness
public busibe

made

for

at Richmond

to do with Jefferson's
Perhaps temper had more
reasoning than he imagined. Nothing could be better
calculated to nettle a philosophic
President who believed
the world, except within his own
domain, to be
too much
governed,than the charge that he himself
had playedthe despot and had trampled upon
private
rights; but that such charges should be pressed with
of Luther
the coarseness
Martin, and should depend
able
intolerthe rulingsof John
on
an
Marshall,seemed
outrage on the purity of Jefferson's intentions.
In such cases
a
an
common
explosion of anger was
form of relief. Even President
Washington was said
dashed
his hat upon
the ground,
sometimes
to have
and

the

President

second

famous

was

for gusts of

temper.
"I

heard, indeed,"

have

predecessor sometimes

by dashing

only proves,
heart
1

than

and

decided

trampling

what

you

and

Jefferson,1"that

wrote

things against

his
I

wig

knew,

on

the

that

he

my

his Council

floor.
had

This

better

head."

Jefferson

to

Cf. Jefferson MSS.

William

Short, June

12, 1807; Works,

v.

93.

BURR'S

1807.

Wigs

Federalist

were

Republicans wore
resource

in

Jefferson

worn

he

would

violence

itself in

forgottenas
color

impulse was

we

sion

treason

of

will

put down

bulldog, and
defenders

To
words

add

bulldog of

long,

Martin

railed

the

one

think

it

and

fortunate

particeps

as

his

misprievidence
Federal

impudent
the

him

"

him

rate

first

clamorous

most

accomplices."
in

wrote
to

break

the

same

down

this

Jefferson's irritation

evaporated

with

these

rarely
words.

unmolested.

fretted

could

by personal feelingcould
calm
not

if he should

blows.

His

thrust

Martin

that

of

ness
sensitive-

Hay, l

any

acts

in reflections

fix upon

at

it material

Rhadamanthine

President

will

"

complaints,in

and

to

Luther

proof

Federalism."

lasted

No

wrote

attorney-generalhe
"I

in

His

Martin

And

all his

are

sword,

passion

unprincipled and

another

of Burr

the

He

least.

this

such

President

philosophicthought.

Gray bell

at

power.

no

small

uttered,or

to commit

Burr?

with

his

as

dock.

move

criminis

and

and
irritability

soon

of

use

had

but

hat

retaliate upon

to

into the criminal

Shall

could

physical excitement.

in

tinged with

dignityand

paraphernalia of Federalism,

shown

have

never

relieved

"

full

rage

powder, cocked

or

threats

of

the

of

symbols
wigs, and

moments

and

-wig

no

453

TRIAL.

Jefferson to

Jefferson

to

John

Marshall.

strike
successfully
succeed

In the midst

of

in

cope

back

warding

; he

off his

of these controversies

Hay, June 19, 1807; Works, v. 98.

Rodney, June 19, 1807; Jefferson MSS.

with
The
was
mies'
ene-

and

454

HISTORY

which

theatre

UNITED

15, General

June
irritations,
audiences

THE

OF

in

those

STATES.

Wilkinson

CH.

arrived.

still crowded

days

19

The
to

the

laughed at the extraordinarywit and

of its
Beggar's Opera," found none
moralityof the
possible allusions more
amusing than the oftenmeant
to point at James
quoted line which seemed
and

"

Wilkinson.
I

me,

is all
trust

more

had

not

To

the

defence

break

that he
with

accomplice

him
was

Burr,
the

also discredit

the

President

When

Louis
months

under
and

time

with
1

Wilkinson

people."

Daniel

Clark

the
no

kinson
Wil-

turned

by his
pensioner of Spain and
the

was

to

prove

known

objectof

and

had

shake

would

the Administration

Whatever

saved.

could

not

the
allow

suffer.

from
St.
came
Major Bruff,of the artillery,
to Washington
early in March, 1807, three
before Burr's indictment,he made
bitter complaints
to the Secretaryof War, accusing the general,
whose
orders he served, of being a spy of Spain
traitor with

without
a

to

can

gang

other

might be, Jefferson

consequences

peach

disgrace of Wilkinson

but

Wilkinson

our

down,

which

even

than

should

plain proof that

friend; even

confession

an

that

another

against him.
own

'Tis

alike,and
one

Twitcher

Jemmy

surprisedme.

own

world

That

"

Burr.1

General

Dearborn

and repliedthat
contradiction,
when

the

Major

General

Wilkinson

Executive, but
BrufPs

his

did

there
not

had

stand

energetic measures

Testimony,Burr's Trial; Annals

1807-1808, pp. 598-600.

listened

of

been

well
at

Congress,

BURR'S

1807.

and

bustle

actual

sustain

would

President

the

Executive

regained him

had

Orleans

New

him

confidence,

; that

after the

might perhaps

there

over

was

455

TRIAL.

Wilkinson
must
inquiry,but meanwhile
be supported. Attorney-GeneralRodney

and

be

an

would

went

even

further.

proven?
the

Burr

what

just

Why,

indignation of
would

escape,

did

what

add,

with

cause

The

negligence.

of the
of
than

subpoena.

ever

The

labor.

No

arrival,at

the

issued

and

General,

and

either
to

or

was

to

admit

from

the

Luther

make

mon
com-

their

of

Wilkinson

after

refusingto obey
accepted his full share

President

he

did
when

defied, than

own

for the support

necessary

support

necessary

moment

saved

bedience
hung together. Diso-

case

subpoena

sooner

dent
convicted,Presi-

be

not

forced

whole

Wilkinson

all the

negligencehad left the

thousand
warnings, at

President

be

the

to

under

of

would

place."

subpoenas because
Wickham, Botts, and

examination

they

turn

Cabinet

Marshall's

Martin

mies
ene-

his

from

shrank

could

mercy,

be

to

were

his

be

Wilkinson.

on

patent

was

himself,whose

General's

take

the

it would

"

Burr

from

Wilkinson

if

"

should
and

wish,

and

Braff
,

Federalists

people

roughest handling. The

the

Wilkinson

country, in spiteof

Western

more

General
the

if Wilkinson

Jefferson

the

he

the

not

asked

result,"

present Administration

the

Rodney
world, that

the

the

charges against

all your

of

be

would

"What

he

hear
his

own

wrote

of

the
in

Wilkinson's

subpoena
a

was

letter

was

cal-

456

HISTORY

culated
:

and

enemies
mind
of

their

General

all the

have

filled the

public ear

trouble

of those

who

their

place

and

public confidence.
of

Accept,

respect
even

pray

you,

and

his

heaths, and
such

more

has

slanders

The

lishment
estab-

what

see

they

dissipate the
knowledge, and
public estimate
sensible

been

aimed

and

than

at

you.
of

assurances

several

years

to

claimed
and
clearly,

and

its

"

that his

of the United

not

was

exempt

to

esteem

retain
with

sioned
pen-

Burr

States army

public danger, was

and

during
costly

confidence Jefferson
people whose
held.
John
Randolph saw this point

the

Whether
never

when

Jefferson to

not

often loved

instinct detected

the trail that

hesitation,

House.

need

MacFalstaffs,

confederate

right to

respect and

require him

his bloodhound

without

not, he

and

the

world

Jefferson

; but

of extreme

consequence

had

pleased,and

rogues,

should

at the head

is

he

and

"

weakness

as

the

one

whom

Burrs,

Dayton

or

in

friendships.The

Spanish spy

it

of

citizen Jefferson

its worst

for Wilkinson

White

he

it will

salutations

my

esteem

cherished

from

19.

esteem."

excuse

and

No

with

world

for want

injusticewhich

American

an

clamors

higher ground

on

the

respect and
As

CH.

confidence

account.

let the

doubted

will

you

that

on

guilt will

of

myself

STATES.

the

with

think

to

doubts

UNITED

"

your

ought

THE

Your

"

give

to

needed

OF

the

struck
he

Wilkinson, June

led

to

lowed,
folthe

intended
chief-justice

Jefferson

directed

and

the

blow

clerk

21, 1807; Works,

chievous
mis-

so

to
v.

place
109.

1807.

Randolph

John

as

TRIAL.

foreman

of the

from

revolted

nature

President

and

the

General

Randolph

was

the

man

Such

and

sworn

his

be

if the

gibbetedtogether,

when

General

the

was

the

grand jury June 15, where

could be believed,was
his enemy

if

appearance,

could

; and

to do it.

before

sent

dolph's
grand jury.1 Ran-

Wilkinson

situation

the

was

457

BURR'S

abject.

and

looks,"

of

countenance
variance

all

examination

Under

"

Randolph

wrote

did

never

of

opinion
is

miscreant

confusion

was

us

among

hugged

the

to

bosom

the

jury

time

same

to

nerve

Burr

room,

for

moved

with

scarcely a
guilt. Yet this

Government

of

effect
and

this
his

the

obstruct

oppression of witnesses.
both

24,

attempts
the

to

with

indict

to

Burr;

attachment

an

to

June

Such

was

his

to

as

Randolph ardently wished

every

; there

"

while

is denounced."

Monroe

at

language

Nicholson.2

to

behold

of

General

he

strained

while

and

in

purpose

counsel

the

in

the

the

court-room

against Wilkinson
free
The
all

grandfor

temptin
at-

of

justiceby
sisted
redistrict-attorney
his authority; and

course

disappointment of

his

enemies,

kinson
Wil-

escaped.
u

Yesterday," wrote

jury

found

Burr

and

bills for
Blennerhassett

Wilkinson's

Randolph
Randolph

Randolph,
treason
una

and
voce,

June

25,8 "the

misdemeanor
and

this

grand
against

day presented

to

Memoirs, ii. 6.
Nicholson, June

28, 1807; Nicholson

MSS.

to

Nicholson, June

25, 1807; Nicholson

MSS.

458

HISTORY

Jonathan

OF

for

Indiana,

escaped,

The
I cannot

proof
enter

last

night lodged

in

nature

than

before
the

on

very

In

the

debates
up

of

of treason.
"

to

that

the

before

treasonable

be committed

Annals

p. 1397.

was

jail (we have

I

daresay

never

in the

person

no

he

human

saw

of Wilkinson
stands

favor,

on

Jefferson

by trying
misdeeds, a fuller

Wilkinson's
the

dolph
Ran-

session, when

next

pleawhich

Wilkinson

saved

in

the

the

(overt) act having

State

letter to the President

1

as

He

grand jury,"said Randolph,1

Wilkinson
for misprision
to present General
this ground,
This motion
overruled
was
upon

was

motion

the

his attacks

identifyhim with
account
was
given of
from presentment.

44

misconstruction.

is denounced."

to

There

situation

lain.
vil-

say that I have

grand jury ; and yet this man

and
summit
pinnacle of Executive

followed

"

Perhaps you

that
a

the

Monroe

James

while

town

that

core

fortitude.

great

nocent,
in-

good friend,

my

convicts), where

I did.

him

only man

to the very

common

for

think

distinctions

Suffice it to

with

Floyd
iniquity

of

is the

19.

fort
Ohio, ComDavis

to

susceptibleof

in the

degraded

so

and

CH.

mammoth

bark

it here.

prison except

sleptsounder

of

unquestionable; but,

himself

supported

State

the

it is not

Burr

the

Wilkinson

from

upon

that

it,and

seen

is

York,

wire-drawn

with.

was

Smith

pretended

man

any

certain

upon

who

but

STATES.

John

New

of

treason

pester you
saw

ever

Smith

that

not

"

but
will not

UNITED

Dayton, ex-senator,

Tyler, Israel
of

THE

of

Congress,Jan.

of
of

Ohio, and
the

United

11, 1808; Session

been

alleged

General
States
of

kinson's
Wilhav-

1807-1808,

BURR'S

1807.

had

act, this person

call

did

that

gentleman

short

benefit

the

legal exception,

but

dated, though

been

ing

459

TRIAL.

or

fraud

hear

not

of

time, prior
what

that

to

lawyers would

; but

I will inform

single member

the

of

the

that which
other opinion than
grand jury express
any
I myself expressed, of the moral, not of the legal,guilt

party."

of the

In

the

grand jury

of the

showed

accounts

made

by
Randolph

Littleton

One

grand jury.

appear,
him

hoping

The

the

Thus
1

was

supported by
of

members
the

for revenge

of

Cf. National

of

who
conspirators,

Wilkinson
should

the
vote

would
appear

when

he
June

should

26,

was

dare

never

intended

come

Burr

at

at first

had

grand jury,were

Meanwhile,

trial

of Burr

indictment

before the

down

far the

Report

Conduct

other

present

treason

thought that

The

if he

who

and

guilty,and

when

four

that

averred

witness-stand.
not

Tazewell, and

or

it.

obtained.

vehemently

to

to

misprision of

witness

squeezed through

break

motion

though the loophole might be, Wilkinson

Narrow

to

the

testify
; and

to

7.

9 to

length

that

W.

three

and

called

were

for

Wilkinson

General

stood

mittee
by a Congressionalcombers
regarding Wilkinson,1 several mem-

1811

in

their

taken

evidence

to

reduced
on

the

pleaded

adjourned until August 3,

to begin.
was
President
had
carried everythingbe-

the

General

the

court

Committee

Wilkinson,

appointed to inquire into

Feb.

Intelligencer,
Aug. 3,

1807.

26, 1811, pp.

the

281, 298.

460

HISTORY

fore him.

OF

He

THE

had

UNITED

produced

STATES.

his

witnesses,had

Wilkinson,indicted Burr, and

could

subpoenas. This success

rousing passion. Richmond
and
conspirators,
and

without

As

tained
sus-

defied Marshall's
be

not

without

won

in the

hands

of the

officer.

crossing the

was

19.

Jefferson publicly
they denounced
Wilkinson
and
as
they denounced

other government

every
"

mercy,

was

CH.

court-house

said

green,"

an

eye-witness,1 I heard a great noise of haranguing some

off.
told it was
distance
a
Inquiring what it was, I was
Andrew
Jackson,
great blackguard from Tennessee, one
making a speech for Burr and damning Jefferson as a
persecutor."
"

Hay

President,June

to the

wrote

Jackson,

"General

of

Tennessee,

the

terms

in every

which

at

explained the

once

His

The

company.

character

own

depends

of
on

"

been
in

latter showed

motive

has

Wilkinson

22d, denouncing

since

14

the
me

here

coarsest
a

paper

this incessant
the

ever

tility.
hos-

prostration of

Wilkinson's."

This

paper

no

was

to Claiborne.

doubt

Young

Jackson's
Samuel

secret

ciation
denun-

Swartwout, who

complain of the ridiculous figure

in the
made
to cut, jostledWilkinson
he had been
John
street,and ended by postinghim for a coward.
Randolph echoed Luther Martin's tirades against the
in despair at Jefferson's
President.
Randolph was
had

some

reason

to

success.
1

Parton's Life of Burr, ii. 107.

Hay

to

Jefferson,June

14, 1807 ; Jefferson MSS.

friend," lie

My

"

soil of

the

on

which

for

place
Men

of

fathers

our

Maxims

are

bled.

Politics

scenes

of

hear,

staggered

the

are

right

every

the

usurped

revived.

again

think, politically.
which

advocated

and

effrontery

Chauncey

of

impudence

1798

standing

am

of

have

feel and

and

divested

country

advanced

now

have

cooler

the

and

see

now

almost

and

law,

Nicholson,1 "

to

wrote

native

my

461

TRIAL.

BURR'S

1807.

of

would

Bayard

Goodrich

when

the

or

we

were

acquainted."

first

skirmishing. The true

So long as the President
strugglehad still to come.
he
dealt only with
grand jurors and indictments.,
ferent
difcould
hardly fail to succeed ; but the case was
he
Chief-Justice
when
dealt directly with
All

this

Marshall

work

and

with

that

unless

the

no

act, or

on

was
district-attorney

but

the

shall be

testimony of
confession

alone
chief-justice

of this evidence

with

ready

could

should

be

of the

words

stubborn

person

the

on

overt

same

"

but

was

of treason

convicted

witnesses

two

in open
a

the

to

court."

The

of evidence,

mass

say whether
admitted

had by no
means
chief-justice
the government.
toward
Hay was
Marshall
to protect Burr, and
meant
President on the subject:2

stitution
Con-

; and

shown

the

ble
sylla-

erto
hithbias

convinced
he wrote

that
to the

"

"

The

stamped
1

bias of
upon

Randolph

Judge

Marshall

his forehead.
to

Nicholson, June

is

I may

as

obvious
do

him

as

Hay

to

was

but
injustice,

25, 1807; Adams's

p. 221.
2

if it

Jefferson,Aug. 11, 1807; Jefferson MSS.

Randolph,

462

HISTORY

I do

will enable

appearing
he

his

that

has

ago,

years

to lose

when

Burr

astonished

their

in

with
the

as

he

was

is endeavoring

trial without

He

he

as

the

told

the

conscious

that
His

many
of

the

his

words

grand jury brought

him

at

that

he

and

sympathy

for

long

doing

was

sorrow

exhibit

can

me

estimation

I remember

when

countenance

and

profligatein principle

chief-justicegazed
of

to

seems

pleases.

He

as

fortune.

appearing

human

by doing

Yet

expression

an

the

wrong.

risingin

was

me.

bill,the

time, without

doing

is wonderful.

Burr

Republican party, that

he was
as
desperate in
they

throughout

of

he

19.

f[irmness?]which

of

state

that

CH.

reputation is irretrievablygone,

Mr.

for

concern

conscious

nothing

now

up to

STATES.

I say

when

aid Burr

[him] to
to be

UNITED

I am,

himself

work

to

think

that

believe

not

THE

OF

strong

as

without

so,

palpable

emotion."

August 3
trial began.

until

August 4, and
10.
He began

meanwhile

was

at

new

the

was

arrived

Richmond

in

the

court

privatejournalof

the

panelle
jury imfigureappeared at

brought before
once

and

August
the

trial,

passed
only record of what
the conspirators. As each witness appeared,
among
told the gossipregarding him.
Blennerhassett
"

the

the
over

remained

17

August

Blennerhassett

side.

which

opened its session

court

Not

and

Burr's

the

The

once

stand,

"

redoubted
has

town

into

streets

under

colored

the

Eaton,"

dwindled

down

ridiculous

a
a

Blennerhassett

who

in

put first upon

was

the

eyes

hat, with
he

is

not

Papers,p.

of

this

castic
sar-

struttingabout

mountebank,

tremendous

clothes, when

Turkish

tippling in

315.

sash
the

he

taverns, where

"

sly-boots Dayton,1 he

Old

"

about

libations

the

bitter

said,

lurking

was

corners.

'2

Wilkinson
a

his

with

up

sorrows."

of his

effusions

offers

463

TRIAL.

BURR'S

1807.

exhibited

"

court-martial

rather

derangement,
placed beyond
as
fidelity

even

all doubt

comments

his
his

'

of

His

examination,

direct
honor

accusing

an

perplexityand

as

has

and

his

pages

of

soldier

diary were
for the

of the witnesses

himself.

the

sharp, yet

were

Blennerhassett's

Burr

demeanor

culprit.

upon

sergeant under

citizen.'"

These

his

of

manner

the

than

with

confronted

officer

the

not

severe

so

government

as

had

Blennerhassett

upon

any

they wrere

on
up-

wakened

to

discoverythat Burr was, after all,but a vulgar

The
swindler.
fronted
collapseof Burr's courage when con-

the

Meade

by Cowles

January 17

Creek

at Cole's

his

and
the

had

protestof

in New

indorsed

under

flighttoward

wish

of Allston

to

had

repudiated

Burr

taught
duped

York,

the

Irishman

desertion

of

nerhassett
Blen-

Spanish territory
;

he

and

militia
Mississippi

had

drawn

on

tended
pre-

Blennerhassett

which

Allston's

guaranty ; the evident

repudiate this guaranty as he
;

and

Blennerhassett's

on

the

; his

bills which

the

funds

fallen

and

how

the

property

ruin
at

"

Blennerhassett

Blennerhassett

Blennerhassett

the

thoroughly he

which

Papers,p.
Papers,p.
Papers,p.

397.
422.

373.

had

island,
"

had

been

464

present trial

The

"

if not
talent

to the

under

the

better

UNITED

so

least

of

followers

than

myself."
in

skill with

the

tactics,made
mind

ample

giddy

and

19.

mony,
testi-

of

every
turer
adven-

riper experience

deportment, his

ficial
super-

sanguine temperament,

which

impression

an

this
of

CH.

defect

the

to

many

mastership

furnish

which

dignity,his cheerfulness
and

STATES.

fail to

cannot

guilt,at

judgment

Burr's

Yet

THE

assumption

seduced

has

and

OF

HISTORY

he

managed

legal

Blennerhassett's

on

"

jockey might restore his fame in the course

after he had
injured it on the tight-rope,so, perhaps, the
at Cole's Creek
little Emperor
be forgottenin the
may
"As

'

attorney
For

few

while

the

days

the

stand

to

Blennerhassett's

that

To

clear

over.2

August 23,

overt

should

himself

Puane,

an

Burr's

pressing demands

hand, Jefferson

number

confession

prevent this,Allston
exerted

island ; but

light,and

and

"

Blennerhassett

Jefferson to

undisturbed,

of other
act

of

witnesses
treason

at

nerhassett
nothing short of Blencould place the matter
chief fear was
evidently

State's

turn

evidence.

persuaded to pay the

against Blennerhassett,and
was

hope that he
Aurora," visited
to

offered to

on

to conciliate him.

seemed
of the

went

put Eaton, Truxton, Peter

and

Blennerhassett

more

Burr

trial

prove

own

in

the

government

Taylor,the Morgans,
on

Richmond."

at

serve

Papers,p. 343.
Hay, Aug. 20, 1807

as

an

On

the other

could be
him

in

won

prison

intermediary

Works,

v.

174.

BURR'S

1807.

government.1 Had matters

hoped, something might have

the

with

465

TRIAL.

President
manoeuvre

employed,

further

before

but

the

as

come

of this
could

pressure

struck
chief-justice

the

the

gone

be

prosecution

dead.
19 Burr's

August
the

evidence.

suddenlymoved to arrest
The
government, they said,had gone
its testimony relatingto the overt
act

through

all

charged

in the

it admitted

distant

from

the

Burr

that

; and

scene

to introduce collateral
about
was
district-attorney
testimony of acts done beyond the jurisdiction
the duty of the defence
of the court, it became

the

as

to

indictment

of miles

hundreds

was

counsel

object.
For ten days

counsel

this vital

either

on

pointwas

side exerted

argued.

themselves

All
the

to

the
most.
ut-

Wickham's
treason

Tazewell
American

opening speech on the nature of

declared by as good a judge as Lyttleton
was
the greatest forensic effort of the
to be
bar."2 Luther Martin spoke fourteen hours,
"

with

beginning

an

William

idol Theodosia.
of

argument

address

made

familiar

to

sort

the

more

him

to

VOL.

almost

and
the
every

passionateallusion
Wirt

oratory, and
rhetorical

exhausted
in the

course

which

his

his powers

display which

American, and

to

of his
became

introduced

appeal to Blennerhassett to turn against

who
were
guiltycrew
trying to sacrifice

of

themselves

save

in.

"

"

Blennerhassett

Grigsby'sTazewell,p.

30

Papers,p.
73.

356.

466

HISTORY

letters,who

to

find quiet in ours."

George Hay was

as
Wirt, and

the

threateningthe
which

Bott

the

assure

drew

irregularconduct

prejudge
these

by

that

not

Hay, knowing
magic that hung

seemed

hardly
as

for

the

idea

the

court-house.

"

It

was

in
had

very

of

court

his

but

for

his

arbitraryand

the

the

about
these
If

as

the

in it,

called

now

he

danger of

word

on

at

impeachment,"
inadvertently

could
in

was

and

"

so, his

did

threat

counsel

of the

thoughts

words

impeachment
Burr's

kind

jury, and

evidence

is

the

impeached.
the

well Jefferson's

credible.

of

court

of

one

from

all the

hearing
this

was

afterward

was

decision

used

offensive

was

the

of

censure

do."

to

have

which

leave to

account

he

the

beg

judge
ever
opinions,how-

thing which

should

trial,which

the

before

gentlemen

terous
dex-

so

advocating opinions

now

the

on

That
the

are

...

wrest

case

identical

the

"

the

to

nor

"

for which

attempted

man

country

own

condemned.

we

at

principalcauses

his

efficient

so

they might be,

incorrect

He

we

was

of

Ireland, a

that

gentleman

himself

on

of

19.

wardness
or
intentionally
by awkgiving the impression of

in
:

trial

Fries'

on

native

CH.

either

court

says

STATES

storms

neither

succeeded

Mr.

fled from

of

"k

UNITED

is Blennerhassett?

Who

"

THE

OF

once

ness
clumsi-

have

been,

the

air

of

retaliated.2

gentleman

to

remind

decision

of

the

the

motion

prisoner." Hay protested that he

said
spoken innocently,and the chief-justice

favor

of the

Burr's

Trial,ii. 193.

Burr's

Trial,ii. 238.

BURR'S

1801

wishes

of
used

the

case

that

misunderstood,
have

been

decide

will

not

against

servatio
oban

the

that

presume

it

inadvertentlyit

innocentlyor

however

this

susceptibleof being

it is

view, but

by

apprehensive of

be

should

you

government.

with

intended

were

should

honors

your
in

it

whether

know

not

impeachment

may

Luther

and

"

that

so

personal;

as

added,1

I do

was

defence

court," persistedthe

Martin
u

taken

been

not

"

the

to

had

The genunpleasant impression remained.

tleman
of danger
the possibility
plainlyinsinuated

the

but

allusion

the

that

467

TRIAL.

made."

read his decision.

Much
August 31 the chief-justice
the longestof Marshall's judicial
opinions; elaborately
citations,and with less simple
argued, with many
adherence
usual
to one
leading thought than was
in his logic, this paper
seemed, in the imagination
of Marshall's
enemies, to betray a painful effort
"

to

reconcile

exclusion

his

of further

To

laymsn, who

who

thought

island

such

was

from
sense

; and

who

the

spot,

such

guilty,
"

itself that

an

as

kneAV

held

act

conceived
as

would

the

be

Burr's

an

could

jury
not

with
chief-justice,
1

Blennerhassett's

act

principalpresent

doubt

Burr.

violent

of

levying

Burr, although

Trial,ii.369.

an

the

of law ;

might, without

as

that

excuse

of

case

uncertainties

juryto

with

case

assemblage on

by

was

in

only the

overt

an

uneasy
the

in Bollman's

evidence

that the

impropriety,be
war

dictum

in

in

absent

legal

finding him

fail to

equal

suggest
effort

of

468

HISTORY

OF

STATES.

UNITED

THE

Cir. 19.

ingenuity,might have produced equal conviction

On the other hand,
a
directlyopposite result.
intent

of the

framed

that

Constitution

clear.

was

remembered

instrument

The
the

in
the
who

men

crimes

that

perpetratedunder the pretence of justice

;
for the most part they had been traitors themselves,
and
having risked their necks under the law they
than they
feared despotism and arbitrarypower
more
had

been

feared

No

treason.
at least

would

framed,

been

the

on

is

treason

be

proved

of

the

that

secret

which

answer

had

not

was

his

changed
under

tions
obliga-

him.

said

in

pathies,
sym-

of Marshall's

side

Jefferson,since 1788,

to imitate
it be

their

Constitution

the

was
point of view, the chief-justice

"If

that

doubt

1788, when

in
have

If

decision.

could

one

advising
which

transaction
manner

will

readilysuggest

proving

fact

will not

scarcely ever

can

required by

the

of

procurement

or

this

opinion,

itself is that

the

justifyconviction

the

culty
diffi-

out
with-

proof."

with
chief-justice,
tion,
simpledignitywhich still compels respectfuladmirathe district-attorney
took up the gauntletwhich
had
flung at his feet. As though turning from the
to look for a moment
crowd
in the court-room
directly
At

into

the

the

close of his decision

of the

eyes

uttered
justice
and
"

defiance
Much

points on

has

which

few

the

President, the threatened

words

that

were

at

once

chiefanswer

"

been
the

said in the

course

Court

no

feels

of the

inclination

argument
to comment

on

which

but
particularly,

dares

this Court
No

true.

dares

this Court

That

that

of

bitter

it to

the

bottom

of

indignation of
.

and

incompetent

to

of

in

him

to

those

the

the
the

the

but

who

are

contempt

who

country

the

to

conduct

as

hesitate

can

or

subsequent

island

the

the transactions

to

; because

merely corroborative,

overt

proof of

declarations

be admitted

can

in its nature

prove

be

there

until

choice

no

merits

and

Blennerhassett's

testimony, being

greeable
disa-

elsewhere

prisoner

has

opprobrium
his

in

less

becoming
might he let

presented

he

is not

self-reproach,would

if he

"

testimony relative

on

such

the

or

duty

true

of

man,

alternative

world,

embrace.

to

the

of

duty

no

is roost

himself

placing

; but

no

the

the

No

"

is

if there

denominated

which

ceive
improperly re-

its

from

without

him

from

as

power

is desirous

calumny

pass

dereliction

well

usurp

of

man

no

cup

"

not

shrink

is desirous

man

peculiar subject

casei

perhaps
not

not

situation ;

drain

may

notice.

some
"

469

TRIAL.

BURR'S

1807.

evant
in itself,is irrel-

act

the

overt

act

by

two

witnesses."

On

the

Hay
a

verdict

ney
followingday, September 1, District-Attor-

of

criticisms
"

the

Marshall

upon

Wirt, who

has

chief -justice,now
his

opened
of

jury entered
guilty." Hay instantlyreported
result of his efforts,
and
added

Not

"

Monticello

to

the

abandoned

eyes,

hitherto

abandons
and

he

case,

the

and

1
"

advocated
him.

speaks

the

This
in

the

of
integrity

last

opinion

strongest

reprobation."
1

Hay

to

Jefferson,
Sept.1, 1807

; Jefferson MSS.

the
has

terms

470

HISTORY

THE

OF

STATES.

UNITED

September 4 Jefferson repliedin

always accompanied his vexation : a

the

CH.

19.

which

tone

"

Yours

"

has
of

been
the

of the
what

1st

to hand

came

evidentlyintended

was

trial ; that

is to say,

prevent the evidence

from

But

must

this

latter

case

therefore, more

than

witness

or

be

been

has

paid

decide

whether

guilt,or
that
and

an

they
the

law,

before

defect
or

in

provide

may

take

not

Burr,

before

the
It

place.

the

the

been

in

now,

single

testimony

that
the

ceedings
pro-

they
evidence

applicationof

the

law,

remedy

for

the

proper

to

world.

whole

Congress,
has

his

but

is

not

These
.

event

beginning

clear

to

going

ever

writing.

to

the

in the

only

the

permitted to depart until

laid

be

from

indispensable that

ever

committed
will

not

The

yesterday.

may
of
and

past

future."

Accordingly,although the trial for treason was at

end, the district-attorney
pressed the indictment

for misdemeanor;

and

October

until

19

the

chief-

occupied in hearing testimony intended

Then
for use not against Burr, but againsthimself.
suffered to go their way,
at last the conspirators
were
subjectto legalproceedingsin Ohio which the government
had no idea of prosecuting
; while the President,
Marshall
mortified
and
prepared to pursue
angry,
who
The
instead of Burr.
rated
Federalists,
always overtrembled
the strength of party passions,
again
to be
for the Judiciary; but in truth nothing was
and glory had
The days of Jefferson's power
feared.
passed forever,while those of Marshall had barely
justicewas

Jefferson

MSS.

to

Hay, Sept. 4, 1807

Works,

v.

187.

son
Cf. Jeffer-

BURR'S

1807.

Even

begun.
far

was

the

on

from

testimony,the

being

clear

so

sustained

with

be
difficulty

who

began by pledging

show

brought
their

declaration

time

..some
kt

ago,"

fact

in

wrote

that

sees

before

could

the

only

court

which

ended

if

had

to

been

by admitting

the

expressed opinions
what

then

you

un.til after

learn

have

am

"

his

in

will

soon

long

after

the

task

confidence
for

favor;

but

in

it, on

know,

and

what

declaration

him
his

you

did

you

it,

which

because

and

my

close,1

retracted

sorry

"

favor

at the

not

public account,

have

on

President

My
I

in his

court

attempted

not

destroyed.

not

in

perform.

to

account,

know

I made

Hay to the
though I

own

not

and

district-attorney,

charges

I have

promised

shak'en,

is

himself

which

precipitate; and

was

everybody
I

the

General,

the

against

hoped

Wilkinson,

; and

the

had

case

truth.

The

"

falsity of

the

President's

he

as

chief witness,

His

expected.

471

TRIAL.

not

did

above

mentioned."

hint

The

himself

Jefferson
the
a

Court

Supreme

defeat

worse

If Wilkinson

strong.

w.as

such

on

than

in

the

about, and

enemies

at

Hay

to

graver

or

who

OF

to

of

dangers
were

attack

to
not

impeachments.

Jefferson, Oct. 15, 1807

END

To

was

impeachment

its doors

by proclama tions

curbed

danger.

evidence

the

country had

Meanwhile

in

was

ited,
discred-

were

VOL.

; Jefferson

I.

MSS.

invite
Chase.
think
to

be