No. 11.
BOSTON, _April_ 13, 1809.
SIR: I send to Mr. R---- a pamphlet entitled "Suppressed
Documents." The notes and comments were written by the
gentleman who has written the analysis which I sent by a former
conveyance. These works have greatly contributed to excite
the fears of the men of talents and property, who now prefer
the chance of maintaining their party by open resistance and
a final separation, to an alliance with France and a war with
England; so that, should the Government unexpectedly, and
contrary to all reasonable calculation, attempt to involve
the country in a measure of that nature, I am convinced (now
that the elections have all terminated favorably) that none of
the New England States would be a party in it. But, as I have
repeatedly written, the General Government does not seriously
entertain any such desire or intention. Had the majority in the
New England States continued to approve of the public measures,
it is extremely probable that Great Britain would now have to
choose between war and concession. But the aspect of things in
this respect is changed, and a war would produce an incurable
alienation of the Eastern States, and bring the whole country
in subordination to the interests of England, whose navy would
prescribe and enforce the terms upon which the commercial
States should carry, and the agricultural States export, their
surplus produce. All this is as well known to the Democrats
as to the other party; therefore, they will avoid a war, at
least until the whole nation is unanimous for it. Still, when
we consider of what materials the Government is formed, it is
impossible to speak with any certainty of their measures. The
past Administration, in every transaction, presents to the mind
only a muddy commixture of folly, weakness, and duplicity. The
spell by which the nations of Europe have been rendered inert
and inefficient, when they attempted to shake it off, has
stretched its shadows across the Atlantic, and made a majority
of the people of these States alike blind to duty and to their
true interests. I am, &c.