The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Dear Sir,—I am just favored with yours of the
27th. Young Gelston is here, preparing to take his
passage for France as bearer and expositor of despatches,
in the Syren, sloop of war, which is waiting
for him at Baltimore. He leaves this to-morrow
morning. Mr. Gallatin has had a conversation with
Turreau at his residence, near Baltimore. He professes
to be confident that his Govt. will consider
England broken down by the example she has given
in repealing her orders, and that the F. decrees will
be repealed as a matter of course. His communications
by the Syren will, if he be sincere, press the
policy of an immediate repeal. No official accts.
have been received from the French letters of Marque
arrived at Boston. The difficulty most likely to
threaten our relations with France lies in the effort
she may make to render us in some way subservient
to the reduction of Spanh. America; particularly by
withholding our commerce. This apprehension is
corroborated by the language of Turreau. He alluded
to his conversations with you relating to Cuba,
on which he builds jealousies which he did not conceal.
Cuba will, without doubt, be a cardinal object
with Napoleon.
The spirit which England will bring into the ulterior
negociations must differ much from that which
influenced former Treaties, if it can be moulded to
our just views; and we must be prepared to meet it
It is possible, however, that the school of adversity
may have taught her the policy of substituting for
her arrogant pretensions somewhat of a conciliating
moderation towards the U. S. Judging from the
tone lately used, a change of that sort would be the
less wonderful. If she can be brought to a fair estimate
of her real interest, it seems very practicable to
surmount the obstacles which have hitherto kept us
at variance, and, until surmounted, must continue
to do so. The case of impressments, hitherto the
great obstacle, seems to admit most easily of an
adjustment, on grounds mutually advantageous.
Yrs. with affectionate respects.
It is understood that the Election in the State of
N. York has issued very favorably.
| The writings of James Madison, | |