JOHN HENRY, Esq.
No. 2.
General Instructions from Sir J. H. Craig to Mr.
Henry, respecting his Secret Mission.
_His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief's Instructions to
Mr. Henry, of February, 1809._
[Most secret and confidential.]
QUEBEC, _February 6, 1809_.
SIR: As you have so readily undertaken the service which I have
suggested to you, as being likely to be attended with much
benefit to the public interests, I am to request, that, with
your earliest convenience, you will proceed to Boston.
The principal object that I recommend to your attention, is,
the endeavor to obtain the most accurate information of the
true state of affairs in that part of the Union, which, from
its wealth, the number of its inhabitants, and the known
intelligence and ability of several of its leading men, must
naturally possess a very considerable influence over, and will
indeed probably lead the other Eastern States of America in the
part that they may take at this important crisis.
I shall not pretend to point out to you the mode by which you
will be most likely to obtain this important information; your
own judgment, and the connections which you may have in the
town, must be your guide. I think it, however, necessary to
put you on your guard against the sanguineness of an aspiring
party. The Federalists, as I understand, have at all times
discovered a leaning to this disposition; and their being under
its particular influence, at this moment, is the more to be
expected, from their having no ill-founded ground for their
hopes of being nearer the attainment of their object than they
have been for some years past.
In the general terms which I have made use of in describing
the object which I recommend to your attention, it is scarcely
necessary that I should observe, I include the state of the
public opinion, both with regard to their internal politics,
and to the probability of a war with England; the comparative
strength of the two great parties into which the country is
divided, and the views and designs of that which may ultimately
prevail.
It has been supposed, that, if the Federalists of the Eastern
States should be successful in obtaining that decided influence
which may enable them to direct the public opinion, it is not
improbable that, rather than submit to a continuance of the
difficulties and distress to which they are now subject, they
will exert that influence to bring about a separation from the
general Union. The earliest information on this subject may be
of great consequence to our Government, as it may also be, that
it should be informed how far, in such an event, they would
look up to England for assistance, or be disposed to enter into
a connection with us.
Although it would be highly inexpedient that you should in
any manner appear as an avowed agent, yet, if you could
contrive to obtain an intimacy with any of the leading party,
it may not be improper that you should insinuate, (though
with great caution,) that, if they should wish to enter into
any communication with our Government, through me, you are
authorized to receive any such, and will safely transmit
it to me. And as it may not be impossible that they should
require some document, by which they may be assured that you
are really in the situation in which you represent yourself,
I enclose a credential to be produced in that view. But, I
most particularly enjoin and direct that you do not make any
use of this paper, unless a desire to that purpose should be
expressed, and unless you see good ground for expecting that
the doing so may lead to a more confidential communication than
you can otherwise look for.
In passing through the State of Vermont, you will of course
exert your endeavors to procure all the information that the
short stay you will probably make there will admit of. You
will use your own discretion as to delaying your journey with
this view, more or less, in proportion to your prospects of
obtaining any information of consequence.
I request to hear from you as frequently as possible; and as
letters directed to me might excite suspicion, it may be as
well that you put them under cover to Mr. ----; and as even
the addressing letters always to the same person might attract
notice, I recommend your sometimes addressing your packet to
the Chief Justice here, or occasionally, though seldom, to Mr.
Ryland, but never with the addition of his official description.