University of Virginia Library

TO JOHN NICHOLAS.

Dear Sir Your favor of the 11th March came
duly to hand and I feel myself obliged by the friendly
spirit of the observations it contains. The circumstances
under which the war commenced on our part
require that it should be reviewed with a liberality
above the ordinary rules and dispositions indulged in
such cases. It had become impossible to avoid or
even delay war, at a moment when we were not prepared
for it, and when it was certain that effective
preparations would not take place, whilst the question
of war was undecided. Another feature was,
the discord and variety of opinions and views in the
public councils, of which sufficient evidence has been
seen, in the public debates and proceedings; and of
which much more is known than ever has been published.
The Calculations of the Ex. were that it would
be best to open the war with a force of a kind and
amount that would be soon procured, & that might
strike an important blow, before the Enemy, who was
known to disbelieve the approach of such an event,
could be reinforced. These calculations were defeated,
as you observe by mixing, and substituting
preparations necessarily producing fatal delays; and
in some respects thwarting each other. At this moment,
notwithstanding the additional stimuli, it is not
certain that the regular force exceeds that which was
in the first instance recommended, which would have
been more an overmatch for the then strength of the
enemy, than the force voted, if realized, would be

for his present strength; and which could have been
easily augmented as fast as might be necessary to
maintain conquered ground, or meet reinforcements
from Europe or elsewhere. The failure of our calculations,
with respect to the expedition under Hull,
needs no comment. The worst of it was that we
were misled by a reliance authorized by himself, on
its securing to us the command of the Lakes. The
decisive importance of this advantage has always
been well understood; but until the first prospect
ceased, other means of attaining it were repressed
by certain difficulties in carrying them into effect.
These means have since been pushed with alacrity;
and we hope will enable us to open the campaign in
relation to Canada, with a retort of the success which
the last turned against us. With the command of L.
Ontario, the treasonable commerce at which you
point, will probably be found too hazardous to be
prosecuted. I have furnished you hints however,
for the consideration of the proper Departments.

We are at present occupied with the Mediation
of Russia.[66] That is the only power in Europe which
can command respect from both France and England;
and at this moment it is in its zenith. We shall
endeavour to turn this mediation to the best account,
in promoting a just peace. We are encouraged in
this policy by the known friendship of the Emperor
Alexander to this country; and by the probability
that the greater affinity between the Baltic and

American ideas of maritime law, than between those
of the former and of G. B. will render his interposition
as favorable as will be consistent with the character
assumed by him.

Accept &c.