2577. EMBARGO, Repeal.—
I thought
Congress had taken their ground firmly for continuing
their Embargo until June and then war.
But a sudden and unaccountable revolution of
opinion took place the last week, chiefly among
the New England and New York members,
and in a kind of panic they voted the 4th of
March for removing the Embargo, and by such
a majority as gave all reason to believe they
would not agree either to war or non-intercourse.
This, too, after we had become satisfied
that the Essex Junto had found their expectation
desperate, of inducing the people
there to either separation or forcible opposition.
The majority of Congress, however, has now
rallied to the removing the Embargo on the 4th
of March, non-intercourse with France and
Great Britain, trade everywhere else, and continued
war preparations.—
To T. M. Randolph. Washington ed. v, 424.
Ford ed., ix, 244.
(W.
Feb. 7, 1809)
