University of Virginia Library

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Dear Sir I return the letter from you to Duane,
on the subject of Mr. Gallatin he seems to be incorrigible.
If I am not misinformed, his eyes are opening
to the conduct & character of Mr. S. with respect
to both of which he has suffered himself to be misled
partly by his own passions, partly by those who took
advantage of them. You see the new shapes our
foreign relations are taking. The occurrence between
Rogers & the British ship of war, not unlikely to
bring on repetitions, will probably end in an open
rupture, or a better understanding, as the calculations
of the B. Govt. may prompt or dissuade from
war.[38] Among the items in these will be the temper
here, as reported by its partizans. The state of
parties in Massts. is in this view important, especially
as it will attract particular notice by its effects in
degrading Pickering, who has made himself so conspicuous
in the British service.[39] On the other hand
much impatience is shewing itself in the Eastn. States,
under the non-importation. The little embarrassment
which occurs in procuring returns for the apples

& onions sent from Connecticut to the W. Indies,
is generating remonstrances as in the case of the
Embargo. I have been obliged to answer one from
N. Haven headed by Hillhouse, which they have
not yet published. The protracted delay of the Essex
still leaves us a prey to the ignorance & interested
falsehoods which fill our newspapers. It would seem
that G. B. is determined agst. repealing her orders,
and that Bonaparte is equally so on the destruction
of her commerce, to which he readily sacrifices his
own commerce with the U. S. As to the blockade
of England, (the decree to which alone the Act of
Congs. & the Proclamation have reference) there is no
evidence of its being continued in force. All the
Official evidence is on the other side. And yet by
a confusion of ideas or artifice of language, the appearance
is kept up that the ground of the non-importation
has failed, and that it is consequently a
wrong to G. B. After all, we must remain somewhat
in the dark till we hear more on the subject; probably
till the return of the vessel that carried to France the
Act of Congs. putting in force the non-importation,
for wch Bonape. seems to be waiting. After a severe
drought, we have had a copious rain. I hope you
have shared it & that it will have aided the Wheatfields
in their conflict with the Hessian fly. . Be assured
of my constant & truest affection.