No. 10.
BOSTON, _March_ 29, 1809.
SIR: Since my letter of the 13th, nothing has occurred which I
thought worthy of a communication.
The last weeks of this month, and the first of April, will
be occupied in the election of Governors and other executive
officers in the New England States.
The Federal candidate in New Hampshire is already elected by
a majority of about one thousand votes. His competitor was a
man of large fortune, extensive connections, and inoffensive
manners. These account for the smallness of the majority.
In Connecticut no change is necessary, and none is to be
apprehended.
In Rhode Island it is of no consequence of what party the
Governor is a member, as he has neither civil nor military
power, being merely President of the Council.
In Massachusetts it is certain that the Federal candidate will
succeed.
A few weeks will be sufficient in order to determine the
relative strength of parties, and convince Mr. Madison that
a war with Great Britain is not a measure upon which he dare
venture. Since the plan of an organized opposition to the
projects of Mr. Jefferson was put into operation, the whole of
the New England States have transferred their political power
to his political enemies; and the reason that he has still so
many adherents is, that those who consider the only true policy
of America to consist in the cultivation of peace, have still
great confidence that nothing can force him (or his successor,
who acts up to his system, or rather is governed by it) to
consent to war. They consider all the menaces and "dreadful
note of preparation" to be a mere finesse, intended only to
obtain concessions from England on cheap terms. From every
sort of evidence, I confess I am myself of the same opinion,
and am fully persuaded that this farce, which has been acting
at Washington, will terminate in a full proof of imbecility
and spiritless temper of the actors. A war attempted without
the concurrence of both parties, and the general consent of
the Northern States, which constitute the bone and muscle of
the country, must commence without hope, and end in disgrace.
It should, therefore, be the peculiar care of Great Britain
to foster divisions between the North and South, and, by
succeeding in this, she may carry into effect her own projects
in Europe, with a total disregard of the resentments of the
Democrats of this country. I am, &c.