The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
Points for Mr. Rose. Wednesday, [Feby 24.] |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
Points for Mr. Rose. Wednesday, [Feby 24.]
Evils of degradation mutually to be shunned
after acceeding to ye mode of separating cases of impressment
& of the Chesapeake, the demand of such preliminary the
less looked for, so categorical & precise.
The recall of Procln founded on disavowal &c &c.
What is disavowed?—An act of unauthorised officer—and
principle of do, an avowal never presumed—but the contrary.
What to be recalled? Act of Govt itself, an act not of aggression
or of reparation; but of precaution—and referring
to wrongs prior to & wholly distinct from the affair of
Chesapeake.
To revoke the proclamation in face of the world, undr such
circumstances, would acknowledge it to be aggressive & wd
originate a reparation on our part instead of receiving one—
A degradation in fact the worst of all evils, and which a
to be imposed on it.
Do not wish to require cannot therefore perform, degrading
conditions.
Unless therefore some new turn to the subject must proceed
from oral to written communications. If a precise & categorical
preliminary shuts the door agst all chance and prospect,
delay is fruitless.
But if door not shut, it will be agreeable to find that the consequences
of a failure, are not suspended on an ultimatum of
such a character.
The revocation of the Procln impossible, witht extending
the disavowal, and assurances, to the several cases which led
to it and referred to in it, & many of them long lying before
your Govt without notice or promise of future security to
the U. S.[2]
Tho' the time unexpected by the P—, no purpose, by hasty
issue on a particular point not perfectly understood, to preclude
amicable explanations, and which might possibly lead
to a favorable result.
General and mutual reasons vs. war—interest, harmony
&c., &c.
With this view, U. S. desired to settle everything.
Union of Impressments and Chesapeake favorable thereto,
and facilitates latter.
Separation yielded, to the views taken of the subject by G.
B. and to his Mission.
Surprize at; at splitting the case of Chesapeake—entirely
statu quo. Talk Proclamation—precaution vs. other wrongs
—Bradly—Whitby—Love—French ship burnt—Dougl
seiz. of Norfk—Continental disobedience to Procln.
| The writings of James Madison, | |