A few months evinced the uncertainty of the peace. Jealous and watchful, both powers stood ready to renew the combat. The First Consul insulted our ambassadors; dismantled fortresses; annexed whole countries to France; sent armies against the free citizens of Switzerland; demanded the banishment of French emigrants, and the abridgment of the liberty of the press; until, unable to subdue their passions, the love of peace which had once swayed men’s minds changed to a fierce desire for war. In May, 1803, the English ambassador demanded an explanation, and was insolently told that Great Britain was unequal to cope with France. During this period great anxiety prevailed throughout London, concerning the completion of a negotiation on which so much depended. The more thoughtful hoped that the peace of the world would not be disturbed; and great was the pleasure, therefore, of these good citizens, when, on the 5th of May, 1803, in passing the Mansion House, their attention was arrested by the following letter, conspicuously displayed in the place usually allotted to important information. It was short, but to the purpose:— “Lord Hawkesbury presents his compliments to the Lord Mayor, and has the honor to acquaint his Lordship, that the negotiation between this country and the French republic is brought to an amicable conclusion.” The glad tidings soon reached the Stock Exchange, and the funds rose to seventy on the opening of the market. In a short time, however, suspicion was aroused. Men doubted, though they scarcely knew why; and the price fluctuated, with a downward tendency. Many of the members, as they arrived from their residences at the West, where the news ought to have reached, were utterly ignorant of the intelligence. The faith of the bulls failed them, and the boldness of the bears increased. It soon became confidently asserted that the news was fictitious; and when the treasury received information of the report and its origin, a letter was sent by the authorities, terming the important document a scandalous forgery. Amid a confusion, an uproar, and a noise, at that period unprecedented, the Lord Mayor communicated in person the contents of his second letter. Business was immediately suspended; the guilty and the guiltless were alike suspected; and when a price was named, it was at a reduction of seven per cent. A subscription was entered into to assist in discovering the parties implicated; all bargains were declared void; and the only important result was in a number of actions at law, the benefit of the legal profession, and the impunity of the projectors.