2560. EMBARGO, Frauds under.—[continued].
If the whole quantity of
[flour and corn] had been bonâ fide landed and
retained in Massachusetts, I deemed it certain
there could not be a real want for a considerable
time, and, therefore, desired the issues of
certificates might be discontinued. If, on the
other hand, a part has been carried to foreign
markets, it proves the necessity of restricting
reasonably this avenue to abuse. This is my
sole object, and not that a real want of a single
individual should be one day unsupplied. In
this I am certain we shall have the concurrence
of all the good citizens of Massachusetts, who
are too patriotic and too just to desire, by calling
for what is superfluous, to open a door for
the frauds of unprincipled individuals who
trampling on the laws, and forcing a commerce
shut to all others, are enriching themselves on
the sacrifices of their honester fellow citizens:—sacrifices to which these are generally submitting,
as equally necessary whether to avoid
or prepare for war.—
To James Sullivan. Washington ed. v, 340.
Ford ed., ix, 205.
(M.
Aug. 1808)
