"In a moment, the commerce of the American republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual states. The opposition to the act in several of the states was so great that they unanimously declared against it, and individuals throughout the whole seized every opportunity of infringement; therefore Congress thought proper to repeal the embargo law, and substituted a non-intercourse with France and England." [_Interesting Events_: Second War (quoting "Grimshaw's Hist. U. States"): "In a moment, the commerce of the American Republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual States." The opposition to the act in several States was so great, that they declared against it, and individuals throughout the whole, seized every opportunity of infringement. In 1809 Congress repealed the embargo law, and substituted a non-intercourse with France and England.] It was now generally expected that the session in Congress, with the decision of the president, would eventually terminate in actual hostilities. The difficulties the chief executive had to encounter were many and perplexing, being fully convinced, under existing circumstances, that the Americans must engage in combat after all. He therefore knew it to be necessary to rouse the feelings of the American people, to realize, more clearly than they did, the true situation of their country, that they might be prepared for the approaching crisis that he believed unavoidable. [_A&M_: The troubles which gave rise to the disseveration of England from America had already commenced, which broke out the ensuing spring into actual hostilities.] [_Lives of Signers_: Hancock of Massachusetts: The difficulties which he had to encounter were many and perplexing.] [_Lives of Signers_: John Adams of Massachusetts: Being fully convinced ... that "they must fight after all," he felt it to be necessary to rouse the feelings of the delegates from other colonies, to realize, more clearly and more correctly than they did, the true situation of their country. This he saw was indispensable, that they might be prepared for that distressing crisis of their political affairs, which it was obvious was approaching; and which he even then, with a few others, believed was unavoidable.]