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. |
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 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.
Your last recd. was of the 28 Apl. The rect of all
the preceding is verified by the uninterrupted dates
of the Gazettes inclosed. I anxiously wish that the
reception of Genest may testify what I believe to be
the real affections of the people. It is the more desirable
as a seasonable plum after the bitter pills
which it seems must be administered. Having
neither the Treaty nor Law of Nations at hand I
form no opinion as to the stipulations of the former,
or the precise neutrality defined by the latter.[72]
I
made some sort of difference, at least as far as would
consist with the Law of Nations, between France &
Nations not in Treaty, particularly G. Britain. I
should still doubt whether the term impartial, in the
Proclamation, is not stronger than was necessary, if
not than was proper. Peace is no doubt to be preserved
at any price that honor and good faith will
permit. But it is no less to be considered that the
least departure from these will not only be most
likely to end in the loss of peace, but is pregnant
with every other evil that could happen to us. In
explaining our own engagements under the Treaty
with France, it would be honorable as well as just
to adhere to the sense that would at the time have
been put on them. The attempt to shuffle off the
Treaty altogether by quibbling on Vattel is equally
contemptible for the meanness & folly of it. If a
change of Govt is an absolution from public engagements,
why not from those of a domestic as well as
of a foreign nature; and what then becomes of public
debts &c &c. In fact, the doctrine would perpetuate
every existing Despotism, by involving in a reform
of the Govt a destruction of the social pact, an annihilation
of property, and a compleat establishment
of the state of Nature. What most surprises me is,
that such a proposition shd. have been discussed.
Our weather has not been favorable of late, owing
more to want of sun, than excess of rain. Vegetation
of all sorts even the wheat, nevertheless continues
to flourish; and the fruit having no longer
anything to fear from frost, we are sure of good
crops of that agreeable article.
under the title of an Examination of the
proceedings in the case of the Secy of the Treay?
The President's proclamation of neutrality had appeared April 22.
Madison wrote to Jefferson, June 10:
"Every Gazette I see (except that of the U. S.) exhibits a spirit of
criticism on the anglified complexion charged on the Executive
politics. I regret extremely the position into which the P. has been
thrown. The unpopular cause of Anglomany is openly laying claim
to him. His enemies masking themselves under the popular cause of
France are playing off the most tremendous batteries on him. The
proclamation was in truth a most unfortunate error. It wounds the
national honor, by seeming to disregard the stipulated duties to France.
It wounds the popular feelings by a seeming indifference to the cause
of liberty. And it seems to violate the forms & spirit of the Constitution,
by making the executive Magistrate the organ of the disposition
the duty & the interest of the Nation in relation to War & peace,
subjects appropriated to other departments of the Government. It
is mortifying to the real friends of the P. that his fame & his influence
should have been unnecessarily made to depend in any degree on
political events in a foreign quarter of the Globe; and particularly
so that he should have anything to apprehend from the success of
liberty, in another country, since he owes his pre-eminence to the
success of it in his own. If France triumphs, the ill-fated proclamation
will be a millstone, which would sink any other character, and
will force a struggle even on his."—Mad. MSS.
| The writings of James Madison, | |