[282] See pp. 175, 176. [283] Rose to Pickering, May 8, 1808; New England Federalism, p. 371. [284] Wheaton’s Life of Pinkney, p. 91. [285] Hints to both Parties (London), 1808, pp. 64, 65. [286] Madison to Pinkney, April 30, 1808; State Papers, iii. 222. [287] Canning to Pinkney, Sept. 23, 1808; State Papers, iii. 231. [288] Grey to Brougham, Jan. 3, 1809; Brougham’s Memoirs, i. 397. [289] Pinkney to Madison, Oct. 11, 1808; Wheaton’s Pinkney, p. 412. [290] Canning to Pinkney, Sept. 23, 1808; State Papers, iii. 230. [291] Pinkney to Madison, Nov. 2, 1808; Wheaton’s Pinkney, p. 416. [292] Pinkney to Canning, Oct. 10, 1808; State Papers, iii. 233. Canning to Pinkney, Nov. 22, 1808; State Papers, iii. 237. CHAPTER XV. Early in August, at the time when public feeling against the embargo was beginning to turn into personal hatred of Jefferson, news of the Spanish outbreak reached America, and put a new weapon into Federalist hands. The embargo, in its effects upon Spain and her colonies was a powerful weapon to aid Napoleon in his assault on Spanish liberty and in his effort to gain mastery of the ocean. In an instant England appeared as the champion of human liberty, and America as an accomplice of despotism. Jefferson, in his pursuit of Florida, lost what was a thousand times more valuable to him than territory,--the moral leadership which belonged to the head of democracy. The New England Federalists seized their advantage, and proclaimed themselves the friends of Spain and freedom. Their press rang with denunciations of Napoleon, and of Jefferson his tool. For the first time in many years the Essex Junto stood forward as champions of popular liberty. So deeply mired was Jefferson in the ruts of his Spanish policy and prejudices that he could not at once understand the revolution which had taken place. On hearing the earlier reports of Spanish resistance his first thought was selfish. “I am glad to see that Spain is likely to give Bonaparte employment. _Tant mieux pour nous!_”[293] To each member of his Cabinet he wrote his hopes:[294]-- “Should England make up with us, while Bonaparte continues at war with Spain, a moment may occur when we may without danger of commitment with either France or England seize to our own limits of Louisiana as of right, and the residue of the Floridas as reprisals for spoliations. It is our duty to have an eye to this in rendezvousing and stationing our new recruits and our armed vessels, so as to be ready, if Congress authorizes it, to strike in a moment.” The victories at Bailen and Vimieiro, the flight of Joseph from Madrid, the outburst of English enthusiasm for Spain, and the loud echo from New England, in the anxieties of a general election, brought the President to wider views. October 22 the Cabinet debated the subject, arriving at a new result, which Jefferson recorded in his memoranda:[295]--