“Though the British government, from perhaps too rigid an adherence to the law of nations, outraged as they are by the common enemy, may, however irritated by her conduct, display a magnanimous forbearance toward so insignificant a Power as America, they will not, we are persuaded, suffer our proud sovereignty of the ocean to be mutilated by any invasion of its just rights and prerogatives. Though the right, tacitly abandoned for the last century, may be suffered to continue dormant, the Americans must not flatter themselves that the principle will be permitted to have any further extent. In the mildness of our sway we must not suffer our sovereignty to be rebelled against or insulted with impunity.... The sovereignty of the seas in the hands of Great Britain is an established, legitimate sovereignty,--a sovereignty which has been exercised on principles so equitable, and swayed with a spirit so mild, that the most humble of the maritime Powers have been treated as if they were on a perfect equality with us.” The same lofty note ran through all the “Morning Post’s” allusions to American affairs:-- “A few short months of war,” said a leading article, October 24, “would convince these desperate politicians of the folly of measuring the strength of a rising, but still infant and puny, nation with the colossal power of the British empire.” The “Times” declared that the Americans could not even send an ambassador to France,--could hardly pass to Staten Island,--without British permission.[34] “Right is power sanctioned by custom,” said the “Times;” and October 20 and 22 it joined the “Morning Post” in denouncing the disavowal of Berkeley. The “Morning Chronicle” alone resisted the torrent which was sweeping away the traditions of English honor. “Our Government,” it said,[35] in support of its enemy, Canning, “in acting with prudence and wisdom, have to resist the pressure of a spirit not popular, like that in America, but as violent and as ignorant, with the addition of being in the highest degree selfish and sordid.” In the case of the “Chesapeake” the Ministry resisted that “selfish and sordid” interest; but Americans soon learned that the favor, such as it was, had been purchased at a price beyond its value. Canning’s most brilliant stroke was for the moment only half revealed. FOOTNOTES: [12] New England Federalism, p. 182. [13] Cabinet Memoranda, Jefferson MSS. [14] Adams’s Gallatin, p. 358. [15] Nicholson to Gallatin, July 14, 1807; Adams’s Gallatin, p. 360. [16] Gallatin, to Nicholson, July 17, 1807; Adams’s Gallatin, p. 361. [17] Jefferson to Bidwell, July 11, 1807; Works, v. 125. [18] Jefferson to the Vice-President, July 6, 1807; Works, v. 115. [19] Jefferson to Governor Cabell, June 29, 1807, Works, v. 114; to Mr. Bowdoin, July 10, 1807, Works, v. 123; to M. Dupont, July 14, 1807, Works, v. 127; to Lafayette, July 14, 1807, Works, v. 129.