No. 5.
AMHERST, (N. H.,) _Feb._ 23, 1809.
SIR: A gentleman going direct to Canada affords a safe and
favorable opportunity of giving you some further account of my
progress.
I will not make use of the post offices when I can avoid it,
because private occasions supersede the necessity of writing
in cipher; and the contempt of decency and principles, which
forms part of the morals of the subaltern officers of a
democracy, would incline them to break a seal with the same
indifference that they break their words, when either curiosity
or interest is to be indulged.
I have not had sufficient time nor evidence to enable me to
form any opinion for myself, of the lengths to which the
Federal party will carry their opposition to the National
Government in the event of a war; which may be inferred from
the result of the election of Governors which, within two
months, will be made in the States of Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, and Rhode Island. From all I know, and all I can
learn of the General Government, I am not apprehensive of
an immediate war. The embargo is the favorite measure; and
it is probable that other means will be employed to excite
England to commit some act of hostility, for the sole purpose
of placing the responsibility of war on that country. This I
most particularly recommend to the consideration of ministers.
The dread of opposition, and of the loss of popularity, will
certainly keep the ruling party at Washington inactive. They
will risk any thing but the loss of power; and they are well
aware, that their power would pass away with the first calamity
which their measures might bring upon the common people,
from whom that power emanates, unless, indeed, they could
find a sufficient excuse in the conduct of Great Britain.
This impression cannot be too deeply felt by His Majesty's
Ministers; nor too widely spread throughout the British nation.
It will furnish a sure guide in every policy that may be
adopted toward the United States.