1225. CHESAPEAKE, Demand for reparation.—[further continued] .
Whether the outrage is
a proper cause of war, belonging exclusively
to Congress, it is our duty not to commit them
by doing anything which would have to be
retracted. We may, however, exercise the
powers entrusted to us for preventing future
insults within our harbors, and claim
firmly satisfaction for the past. This will
leave Congress free to decide whether war
is the most efficacious mode of redress in our
case, or whether, having taught so many
other useful lessons to Europe, we may not
add that of showing them that there are
peaceable means of repressing injustice, by
making it the interest of the aggressor to do
what is just, and abstain from future wrong.—
To W. H. Cabell. Washington ed. v, 114.
Ford ed., ix, 87.
(W.
June. 1807)
