“I propose to send off his Majesty’s packet-boat with this intelligence immediately, and avail myself of this opportunity by a private ship to inform you that the embargo is not intended, as this Government declares, as a measure of hostility against Great Britain, but only as a precaution against the risk of the capture of their ships in consequence of the decree of Bonaparte of Nov. 21, 1806, which they have just learned is to be rigorously enforced; and also from an apprehension of a retaliatory order by Great Britain.” Thus the embargo was imposed; and of all President Jefferson’s feats of political management, this was probably the most dexterous. On his mere recommendation, without warning, discussion, or publicity, and in silence as to his true reasons and motives, he succeeded in fixing upon the country, beyond recall, the experiment of peaceable coercion. His triumph was almost a marvel; but no one could fail to see its risks. A free people required to know in advance the motives which actuated government, and the intended consequences of important laws. Large masses of intelligent men were slow to forgive what they might call deception. If Jefferson’s permanent embargo should fail to coerce Europe, what would the people of America think of the process by which it had been fastened upon them? What would be said and believed of the President who had challenged so vast a responsibility? FOOTNOTES: [117] Adams’s Gallatin, p. 363. [118] Gallatin’s Writings, i. 330. [119] Jefferson to Gallatin, Feb. 9, 1807; Works, v. 42. [120] Annals of Congress, 1807-1808, p. 823. [121] Cabinet Memoranda, Oct. 22, 1807; Jefferson MSS. [122] Robert Smith to S. L. Mitchill, Nov. 8, 1807; Annals of Congress, 1807-1808, p. 32. [123] Monroe to Madison, Oct. 10, 1807; State Papers, iii. 191. [124] Erskine to Canning, Dec. 2, 1807; MSS. British Archives. [125] See p. 31. [126] Cabinet Memoranda; Jefferson MSS. [127] Dearborn to Jefferson, Oct. 18, 1807; Jefferson MSS. [128] R. Smith to Jefferson, July 17, 1807; Jefferson MSS. [129] T. Williams to T. Pickering, Dec. 12, 1807; Pickering MSS. [130] Jefferson to Gen. J. Mason; Works, v. 217. Cf. Jefferson to Madison, July 14, 1824; Works, vii. 373. [131] Draft of Embargo Message, Jefferson MSS. Cf. Jefferson to Madison, July 14, 1824; Works, vii. 373. [132] Jefferson to John G. Jackson, Oct. 13, 1808; Jefferson MSS. [133] Gallatin to Jefferson, Dec. 18, 1807; Gallatin’s Writings, i. 368. [134] Jefferson to Gallatin, Dec. 18, 1807; Gallatin’s Writings, i. 369. [135] Diary of J. Q. Adams, Dec. 18, 1807, i. 491. [136] Pickering’s Letter to Governor Sullivan, April 22, 1808. Cf. New-England Federalism, p. 174, n. [137] Diary of J. Q. Adams, i. 491, 492. [138] Adams’s Randolph, p. 227. [139] Erskine to Canning, Dec. 21, 1807; MSS. British Archives. [140] Erskine to Canning, Dec. 23, 1807; MSS. British Archives. CHAPTER VIII.