University of Virginia Library

LETTER CXVI.

Quashia got down last night. I was apprehensive that
the wagons had set out just as the bad weather commenced.
I have been detained here by a very unpleasant piece of business,
which I hope to terminate to-day. I should have

sent up the gun, but I was really afraid that she would be
injured by the jolting of the wagon. Ryland sent Knowles's
gun of his own mere notion. I am disappointed at getting
no letter, or goggles, from you. The glare of the snow puts
my eyes out, and I cannot get a pair with green glasses in
town.

You will have heard the news from Europe before this
reaches you. Advices from London, as late as the 14th of
November, state that the tyrant had reached Mentz, with
from 20 to 30,000 of his shattered army. Of course, the
retreat by Erfurth could not have been cut off, as is stated
in Sir Charles Stewart's letter of October 19th; that place
being in the direct line from Leipzig to Mentz—as, indeed,
is Weissenfels (and Naumburg, nearly)—so that I cannot
very well understand that part of his despatch which relates
to the orders of the King of Prussia, to detach in that direction.
I had supposed that, from Bonaparte's taking the
route of the Saale, towards Brunswick, he could not strike
the Rhine higher than Dusseldorf. But you have better
maps than are accessible to me, here. Read the Prince Regent's
speech on opening parliament, and compare his dignified
mention of this country, and even of France, with Mr.
Madison's rant. Yet this rant is well suited to the meridian
of Washington. I cannot conceive who it is that writes the
speeches of the English Vitellius—Lord Liverpool, most
probably: but I wish he would lend his aid to the American
* * * *. These two worthy rulers seem to agree so
well in their notions about carrying on the war, that, perchance,
they might interchange speeches as well as measures.
Mr. M. makes war upon our commerce, and the
Prince Regent seconds him by a rigorous blockade. Mr. M.
thinks it not rigorous enough—that neutrals will elude it:
he gets himself created dictator by law, and even neutrals
are prohibited from carrying out of the country one pound
of its produce. This law is met, half way on its passage
across the Atlantic, by a British order in council, authorizing
the capture of all neutrals trading to the United States.

I send you a newspaper, and little Echo: pray take care
of her.