“It will throw some light upon the views of this Government,” wrote Rose in his last despatch,[158] “if I state that in a recent conversation with Mr. Erskine, Mr. Madison observed that since England has thus publicly disclaimed the right of search of national ships for deserters, and Admiral Berkeley has been recalled from command of the Halifax squadron, although a more formal mode of terminating the business would have been more acceptable to this Government, it would consider itself as satisfied on the restoration of the seamen taken away by an act of force disavowed by his Majesty; but that it would not again ask for reparation upon this matter.” From that moment all eyes turned toward the embargo. The President had chosen his ground. Unless his experiment succeeded, he might yet be forced into the alternative of a second submission or war. FOOTNOTES: [141] Instructions to G. H. Rose, Oct. 24, 1807; MSS. British Archives. [142] Rose to Canning, Jan. 17, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [143] Pickering to T. Williams, Jan. 18, 1808; Pickering MSS. [144] Cf. Letters addressed to the People of the United States, by Col. Timothy Pickering. London (reprinted), 1811. Letter xiii. p. 96. Review of Cunningham Correspondence, by Timothy Pickering (Salem, 1824), pp. 56-58. [145] Diary of J. Q. Adams, i. 504. [146] Rose to Canning, Jan. 27, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [147] Negotiations with Mr. Rose; Madison’s Works, ii. 411. [148] Jefferson to W. Wirt, May 2, 1811; Works, v. 593. [149] Negotiations with Mr. Rose, Feb. 4, 1808; Madison’s Works, ii. 12. [150] Rose to Canning, Feb. 6, 1808; MSS. British Archives. Cf. Madison’s Writings, ii. 413. [151] Madison’s Writings, ii. 416. [152] Rose to Canning, Feb. 16, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [153] Rose to Canning, Feb. 17, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [154] Rose to Canning, Feb. 27, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [155] Madison to Rose, March 5, 1808; State Papers, iii. 214. [156] Rose to Madison, March 17, 1808; State Papers, iii. 217. [157] Rose to Canning, March 22, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [158] Rose to Canning, March 22, 1808; MSS. British Archives. Cf. Madison to Pinckney, April 4, 1808; State Papers, iii. 221. CHAPTER IX. All winter Congress waited for the result of Rose’s negotiation. The huge majority, without leadership, split by divergent interests, a mere mob guided from the White House, showed little energy except for debate, and no genius except for obedience.