History of the United States of America, Volume 4 (of 9) : $b During the second administration of Thomas JeffersonAdams, Henry
History
History of the United States of America, Volume 4 (of 9) : $b During the second administration of Thomas Jefferson
Adams, Henry
United States -- History -- 1801-1809; United States -- History -- 1809-1817
“You will have learned that Congress has passed a law prohibiting
the transport of any American produce to Canada, and the collector
at this frontier post expects by this day’s mail instructions to
carry it into rigorous execution. The sensibility excited by this
measure among the inhabitants in the northern part of Vermont is
inconceivable. The roads are covered with sleighs, and the whole
country seems employed in conveying their produce beyond the line
of separation. The clamor against the Government--and this measure
particularly--is such that you may expect to hear of an engagement
between the officers of government and the sovereign people on the
first effort to stop the introduction of that vast quantity of lumber
and produce which is prepared for the Montreal market.”
From Windsor in Vermont, March 6, Henry wrote again, announcing that
the best-informed people believed war to be inevitable between the
United States and England. From Windsor Henry went on to Boston,
where he found himself at home. Acquainted with the best people, and
admitted freely into society,[193] he heard all that was said. March
10, when he had been not more than a day or two in Boston, he wrote
to Ryland, enclosing a Boston newspaper of the same morning, in which
Senator Pickering’s letter to Governor Sullivan appeared and the
approaching departure of Rose was announced. Already he professed to
be well-advised of what was passing in private Federalist councils.
“The men of talents, property, and influence in Boston are resolved
to adopt without delay every expedient to avert the impending
calamity, and to express their determination not to be at war
with Great Britain in such a manner as to indicate resistance to
the government in the last resort.... Very active, though secret,
measures are taken to rouse the people from the lethargy which if
long continued must end in their subjection to the modern Attila.”
March 18 Henry wrote again, announcing that the fear of war had
vanished, and that Jefferson meant to depend upon his embargo and a
system of irritation:--
“It is, however, to be expected that the evil will produce its own
cure, and that in a few months more of suffering and privation of
all the benefits of commerce the people of the New England States
will be ready to withdraw from the confederacy, establish a separate
government, and adopt a policy congenial with their interests and
happiness. For a measure of this sort the men of talents and property
are now ready, and only wait until the continued distress of the
multitude shall make them acquainted with the source of their misery,
and point out an efficient remedy.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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