DEAR SIR,--I enclose you copies of two letters sent by express from Captain Decatur. By these you will perceive that the British commanders have their foot on the threshold of war. They have begun the blockade of Norfolk; have sounded the passage to the town, which appears practicable for three of their vessels, and menace an attack on the Chesapeake and Cybele. These, with four gun-boats, form the present defence, and there are four more gun-boats in Norfolk nearly ready. The four gun-boats at Hampton are hauled up, and in danger, four in Mopjack bay are on the stocks. Blows may be hourly possible. In this state of things I am sure your own feelings will anticipate the public judgment, that your presence here cannot be dispensed with. There is nobody here who can supply your knowledge of the resources for land co-operation, and the means for bringing them into activity. Still, I would wish you would stay long enough at New York to settle with the V. P. and Colonel Williams, the plan of defence for that place; and I am in hopes you will also see Fulton's experiments tried, and see how far his means may enter into your plan. But as soon as that is done, should matters remain in their present critical state, I think the public interest and safety would suffer by your absence from us. Indeed, if the present state of things continues, I begin to fear we shall not be justifiable in separating this autumn, and that even an earlier meeting of Congress than we had contemplated, may be requisite. I salute you affectionately. TO THE MASTERS AND OTHER OFFICERS SAILING TO AND FROM THE PORTS OF NORFOLK AND PORTSMOUTH. WASHINGTON, July 8, 1807. The tender of your services for the erection and reparation of Fort Norfolk and works on Craney Island, and for manning the gun-boats and other vessels for the waters of Elizabeth and James rivers, are received with great satisfaction. They are the more important, in proportion as we have much to do in the least time possible. Knowing their peculiar value for manning and managing the gun-boats and other vessels, it is in that direction I am in hopes they will have been applied, and that the necessary aid for erecting or repairing works on the land will have been found in the zeal of other citizens, less qualified to be useful in the employments on the water. I return, for your country, the thanks you so justly deserve. TO GOVERNOR CABELL. WASHINGTON, July 8, 1807.