2569. EMBARGO, Opposition to.—[continued].
That the federalist [of
Massachusetts] may attempt insurrection is
possible, and also that the Governor would sink
before it. But the republican part of the State,
and that portion of the federalists who approve
the Embargo in their judgments, and at any
rate would not court mob-law, would crush it
in embryo. I have some time ago written to
General Dearborn to be on the alert on such an
occasion, and to take direction of the public
authority on the spot. Such an incident will
rally the whole body of republicans of every
shade to a single point,—that of supporting the
public authority.—
To Albert Gallatin. Washington ed. v, 347.
(M.
Aug. 1808)
