“A late arrival from London,” he wrote again,[312] April 24, “presents a very unexpected scene at St. James’s. Should the revolution stated actually take place in the Cabinet, it will subject our affairs there to new calculations. On one hand the principles and dispositions of the new Ministry portend the most unfriendly course. On the other hand, their feeble and tottering situation and the force of their ousted rivals, who will probably be more explicit in maintaining the value of a good understanding with this country, cannot fail to inspire caution. It may happen also that the new Cabinet will be less averse to a _tabula rasa_ for a new adjustment than those who formed the instrument to be superseded.” Jefferson’s reply to these suggestions showed no anxiety except the haunting fear of a treaty,--a fear which to Monroe’s eyes could have no foundation. “I am more and more convinced,” the President wrote April 21,[313] “that our best course is to let the negotiation take a friendly nap;” and May 1 he added:[314] “I know few of the characters of the new British Administration. The few I know are true Pittites and anti-American. From them we have nothing to hope but that they will readily let us back out.” In view of George Canning’s character and antecedents and of Spencer Perceval’s speeches, Jefferson’s desire to be allowed to back out of his treaty was superfluous. That Canning and Perceval would make any effort to hold him to his bargain was quite unlikely, but that they would let him back out was still more so. They had in view more expeditious ways of ejecting him. Nevertheless Madison was allowed to perfect his new instructions to Monroe and Pinkney. May 20 they were signed and sent. Before they reached London a British frigate had answered them in tones which left little chance for discussion. CHAPTER XIX.