1235. CHESAPEAKE, Preparations at New York.—
The spirit of the orders to Decatur
should be applied to New York. So
long as the British vessels merely enter the
Hook, or remain quiet there, I would not precipitate
hostilities. I do not sufficiently know
the geography of the harbor to draw the line
which they should not pass. * * * But a
line should be drawn which if they attempt to
pass, Commodore Rogers should attack them
with all his force.—
To Robert Smith. Washington ed. v, 196.
Ford ed., ix, 140.
(M.
Sep. 1807)
