The federal misrepresentation of my sentiments, which occasioned my
former letter to you, was gross enough; but that and all others are
exceeded by the impudence and falsehood of the printed extract you sent
me from Ralph's paper. That a continuance of the embargo for two months
longer would have prevented our war; that the non-importation law
which succeeded it was a wise and powerful measure, I have constantly
maintained. My friendship for Mr. Madison, my confidence in his wisdom
and virtue, and my approbation of all his measures, and especially of
his taking up at length the gauntlet against England, is known to all
with whom I have ever conversed or corresponded on these measures. The
word federal, or its synonyme &c., may therefore be written under every
word of Mr. Ralph's paragraph. I have ransacked my memory to recollect
any incident which might have given countenance to any particle of it,
but I find none. For if you will except the bringing into power
and importance those who were enemies to himself as well as to the
principles of republican government, I do not recollect a single measure
of the President which I have not approved. Of those under him, and
of some very near him, there have been many acts of which we have all
disapproved, and he more than we. We have at times dissented from the
measures, and lamented the dilatoriness of Congress. I recollect an
instance the first winter of the war, when, from sloth of proceedings,
an embargo was permitted to run through the winter, while the enemy
could not cruise, nor consequently restrain the exportation of our whole
produce, and was taken off in the spring, as soon as they could resume
their stations.
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