“New England must be united in whatever great measure shall be adopted. During the approaching session of our Legislature there may be such further advances in mischief as may distinctly point out the course proper to be adopted. A convention of delegates from those States, including Vermont, seems obviously proper and necessary. Massachusetts and Connecticut can appoint their delegates with regular authority. In the other States they must be appointed by county conventions. A strong and solemn address, stating as concisely as will consist with perspicuity the evil conduct of our Administration as manifested in their measures, ought to be prepared to be laid before our Legislature when they meet, to be sent forth by their authority, to the people. But the fast, which I have repeatedly heard mentioned here, I hope will be postponed till the very crisis of our affairs, if such a crisis should be suffered to arise. To proclaim a fast sooner would, I fear, have more the appearance of management than of religion.”[351] Such action was not to be easily reconciled with the spirit of the Constitution, but Pickering attempted to show its accord; and in doing so he completed the revolution which for eight years had been in progress between the two political parties. He placed himself on the precise ground taken by Jefferson in the Kentucky Resolutions of 1798:-- “Pray look into the Constitution, and particularly to the tenth article of the Amendments. How are the powers reserved to the States respectively, or to the people, to be maintained, but by the respective States judging for themselves, and putting their negative on the usurpations of the general government.” That the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut meant to take the first step toward a change in the Federal compact was an open secret at Washington before the close of the year. As early as December 29 Gallatin wrote to his friend Nicholson a letter of alarm,[352] which showed that the plan was already known by the Administration:-- “I actually want time to give you more details, but I will only state that it is intended by the Essex Junto to prevail on the Massachusetts legislature, who meet in two or three weeks, to call a convention of the five New England States, to which they will try to add New York; and that something must be done to anticipate and defeat that nefarious plan.” FOOTNOTES: [332] Erskine to Canning, Nov. 5, 1808; MSS. British Archives. [333] R. Smith to Jefferson, Nov. 1, 1808; Jefferson MSS. [334] Erskine to Canning, Dec. 3, 1808; Cobbett’s Debates, xvii., Appendix cxxxiv. [335] Erskine to Canning, Dec. 4, 1808; Cobbett’s Debates, xvii., Appendix cxxxvii. [336] Erskine to Gallatin, Aug. 15, 1809; State Papers, iii. 307. [337] Gallatin to the National Intelligencer, April 21, 1810; Gallatin’s Writings, i. 475. [338] Erskine to Canning, Nov. 26, 1808; MSS. British Archives.