2568. EMBARGO, Opposition to.—
I am
sorry that in some places, chiefly on our northern
frontier, a disposition even to oppose the
law by force has been manifested. In no country
on earth is this so impracticable as in one
where every man feels a vital interest in maintainly
the authority of the laws, and instantly
engages in it as in his own personal cause.
Accordingly, we have experienced this spontaneous
aid of our good citizens in the neighborhoods
where there has been occasion, as I
am persuaded we ever shall on such occasions.
Through the body of our country generally our
citizens appear heartily to approve and support
the Embargo.—
To Benjamin Smith. Washington ed. v, 293.
Ford ed., ix, 195.
(M.
May. 1808)
