University of Virginia Library

TO JOEL BARLOW.

Dear Sir,—As I write on short notice and in
cypher, I must be very brief.

The conduct of the F. Govt, explained in yours of
the—[58] on the subject of the decree of April
1811, will be an everlasting reproach to it. It is the

more shameful, as, departing from the declaration
to Genl. Armstrong, of which the enforcement of the
non-importation was the affect, the revoking decree
assumes this as the cause, and itself as the effect;
and thus transfers to this Govt the inconsistency of
its author.

The decree of April, may nevertheless be used by
G. B. as a pretext for revoking her orders; notwithstanding
the contrary language of Ld Castlereagh in
Parlt. An authentic, tho' informal communication
has just arrived in a despatch vessel from G. B. importing
that the orders were to be revoked on the
1st of Augst, subject to renewal if required by the
conduct of F. & the U. S. particularly, if the nonimportation
act should not be forthwith rescinded
on the arrival of the act of revocation. As this pledge
was given before the declaration of war was known,
it may not be adhered to. It is not improbable however
that it was hurried off, as a chance for preventing
an apprehended war; and the same dislike to the
war may possibly produce advances for terminating
it, which if the terms be admissible, will be readily
embraced.

In the event of a pacification with G. B. the full
tide of indignation with which the public mind here
is boiling will be directed agst. France, if not obviated
by a due reparation of her wrongs. War will be
called for by the Nation almost una voce. Even
without a peace with England, the further refusal
or prevarications of F. on the subject of redress may
be expected to produce measures of hostility agst.

her at the ensuing session of Congs. This result is
the more probable, as the general exasperation will
coincide with the calculations of not a few, that a
double war, is the shortest road to peace.

I have been the more disposed to furnish you with
these prospects, that you may turn them to account,
if possible, in prosecuting your discussions with the
F. Govt. and be not unprepared to retire from them
altogether, on a sudden notice so to do. Your return
home, may possibly be directed even before the meeting
of Congs. if the intermediate information should
continue to present the French conduct in the provoking
light in which it has hitherto appeared.

The Secy. of State is absent. But you will receive
from Mr. Graham, the usual supply of current intelligence,
to which I refer you. I have not time to
write to Genl. Fayette. With my best regards to him,
tell him that Congs. rose witht deciding as to the validity
of the remaining locations near Pt Coupee.