The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
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TO THOMAS JEFFERSON. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Dear Sir I have recd. your favor of the 15th.
All we know of the step taken by France towards a
reconciliation with us, is thro the English papers sent
by Mr. Pinkney, who had not himself recd. any information
on the subject from Genl A. nor held any
conversation with the B. Ministry on it, at the date
of his last letters. We hope from the step, the advantage
at least of having but one contest on our
hands at a time. If G. B. repeals her orders, without
discontinuing her mock-blockades, we shall be at
issue with her on ground strong in law, in the opinion
I do not believe that Congs. will be disposed, or permitted
by the Nation, to a tame submission; the less
so as it would be not only perfidious to the other belligerent,
but irreconcilable with an honorable neutrality.
The Crisis in W. Florida, as you will see,
has come home to our feelings and our interests.
It presents at the same time serious questions, as
to the Authority of the Executive, and the adequacy
of the existing laws of the U. S. for territorial administration.
And the near approach of Congs might subject any intermediate interposition of the
Ex. to the charge of being premature & disrespectful,
if not of being illegal. Still there is great weight
in the considerations, that the Country to the Perdido,
being our own, may be fairly taken possession of, if
it can be done without violence, above all if there
be danger of its passing into the hands of a third &
dangerous party. The successful party at Baton
Rouge have not yet made any communication or
invitation to this Govt. They certainly will call in
either our Aid or that of G. B., whose conduct at the
Caraccas gives notice of her propensity to fish in
troubled waters. From present appearances, our
occupancy of W. F. would be resented by Spain, by
England, & by France, and bring on not a triangular,
but quadrangular contest. The Vacancy in the
Judiciary is not without a puzzle in supplying it.
Lincoln,[29] obviously, is the first presented to our
it. Granger is working hard for it. His talents are
as you state, a strong recommendation; but it is
unfortunate that the only legal evidence of them
known to the public, displays his Yazooism; and on
this as well as some other accts the more particularly
offensive to the Southern half of the Nation.
His bodily infirmity with its effect on his mental
stability is an unfavorable circumstance also. On
the other hand, it may be difficult to find a successor
free from objections, of equal force. Neither
Morton, nor Bacon, nor Story have yet been brought
forward, And I believe Blake will not be a candidate.
I have never lost sight of Mr. Jefferson of Richmond.
Lee I presume returns Bourdeaux. Jarvis is making
a visit to the U. S. but apparently with an intention
to return to Lisbon. All the other consulships
worthy of him are held by persons who manifest no
disposition to part with their berths. My overseer
G. Gooch is just setting out with the Algerine
to Monticello. I beg you to accept whichever of
them you may prefer, and let Capt: Isaac Coles have
the other. Of the 8 sent from Algiers, one was
slaughtered on the passage, and a Wether substituted.
Another was not of the large tail family; but a very
large handsome sheep with 4 horns. His fleece is
heavy, but like the others coarse. I send him to
Virga. with the others, tho' at a loss what to have done
with him there. Two of the large tails I have disposed
of here, one to Claiborne for the benefit of the
Orleans meat Market. I send also by this oppy. six
Marino Ewes, two of them recd. from Jarvis, & the
rest purchased here out of his late shipment. I have
purchased also the Ewe lamb, which had been destined
for Hooe of Alexanda. Finding that the arrangements
necessary for the original pair, would
provide for a small flock, I have been tempted to
make this addition to them, as a fund of pure Marino
blood, worth attending to. The Ewes will stand
me in at $175 a piece.
Gideon Granger was Postmaster-General at the time. Levi Lincoln
was appointed January 7, 1811, but he declined on account of failing
eyesight; on February 22 John Quincy Adams was appointed, but he
preferred to remain in Russia; finally, November 18th, Joseph Story was
appointed. On the subject of Granger Madison wrote to Jefferson
Dec. 7, 1810: "Granger has stirred up recommendations throughout
the Eastern States. The means by which this has been done are easily
conjectured, and outweigh the recommendations themselves. The
soundest Republicans of N. England are working hard agst. him as
infected with Yazooism, and intrigue. They wish for J. Q. Adams as
honest, able, independent, & untainted with such objections. There
are others however in the view of the Southern Republicans; tho perhaps
less formidable to them, than Yazooism on the Supreme Bench.
If there be other Candidates they are disqualified either politically,
morally or intellectually. Such is the prospect before me which your
experience will make you readily understand."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |