had great pleasure as the instrument of its execution, but it was impracticable, by any general and just rules, to prescribe in every case the best resource against the inconveniences of this new situation. The difficulties of the crisis will certainly fall with greater pressure on some descriptions of citizens than on others; and on none perhaps with greater than our seafaring brethren. Should any means of alleviation occur within the range of my duties, I shall with certainty advert to the situation of the petitioners, and, in availing the nation of their services, aid them with a substitute for their former occupations. I salute them and yourself with sentiments of sincere regard. TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR (HENRY DEARBORN). MONTICELLO, August 27, 1808. DEAR SIR,-In my letter of yesterday I omitted to enclose that of Hern, which I now do. I add to it a newspaper from St. Louis, in which is an account of the surrender of some Indian murderers. This paper says there were three or four whites murdered. But I think Governor Lewis' letter says but On that ground I wrote to him to recommend, if they should be convicted, to suffer only one to be executed, unless there was strong reason for doing more, and to deliver up the rest to their friends, as a proof of our friendship and desire not to injure one. them. Mr. Woolsey, our Collector on Champlain, has lately been to Montreal. He took much pains to find out the British strength in that quarter, and the following is what, he says, we may rely on: At Montreal 450 Chambly 80 St John's. 40 Odle Town .. 14 Isle Aux Noix. IO 594 He adds, that 10,000 men will take the whole country to within a league of Quebec. I salute you with affection and respect. a TO THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. UNITED STATES, August 29, 1808. GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND AND EMPEROR,-Desirous of promoting useful intercourse and good understanding between your Majesty's subjects and the citizens of the United States, and especially to cultivate the friendship of your Majesty, I have appointed William Short, one of our distinguished citizens, to be in quality of Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, the bearer to you of assurances of their sincere friendship, and of their desire to maintain with your Majesty and your subjects the strictest relations of amity and commerce: he will explain to your Majesty the peculiar position of these States, separated by a wide ocean from the powers of Europe, with interests and pursuits distinct from theirs, and consequently without the motives or the appetites for taking part in the associations or oppositions which a different system of interests produces among them; he is charged to assure your Majesty more particularly of our purpose to observe a faithful neutrality towards the contending powers, in the war to which your Majesty is a party, rendering to all the services and courtesies of friendship, and praying for the reestablishment of peace and right among them; and we entertain an entire confidence that this just and faithful conduct on the part of the United States will strengthen the friendly dispositions you have manifested towards them, and be a fresh motive with so just and magnanimous a sovereign to enforce, by the high influence of your example, the respect due to the character and the rights of a peaceable nation. I beseech you, great and good friend and Emperor, to give entire credence to whatever he shall say to you on the part of these States, and most of all when he shall assure you of their cordial esteem and respect for your Majesty's person and character, praying God always to have you in his safe and holy keeping. TO GENERAL JAMES WILKINSON. MONTICELLO, August 30, 1808. DEAR GENERAL,—The absence of General Dearborn and his great distance render it necessary to recommend a measure which should regularly go from him, but will not admit of that delay. The armed resistance to the embargo laws on the Canada line induced us at an early period to determine that the new recruits of the northern States should be rendezvoused there, and I presume you received such instructions from General Dearborn. In the meantime we have been obliged to make several detachments of militia to points on that line. This is irksome to them, expensive, troublesome, and less efficacious. Understanding that there are three companies of new recruits filled, or nearly filled, at New York, I must pray you to order these, and indeed all the recruits of the State of New York, to Sackett's Harbor, Oswegatchie, and Plattsburgh, in equal proportions to each, in order to support the collectors in the execution of their duties, and this without any avoidable delay, giving notice to Governor Tompkins of their march and time of probable arrival at their destination, that he may give corresponding orders respecting the relief of the militia. I salute you with esteem and respect. TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (ALBERT GALLATIN). Monticello, August 30, 1808. DEAR SIR,* * * * * Mr. Madison and myself on repeated consultations, (and some of the other members of the executive expressed the same opinion before they left Washington,) have concluded that the mission to Petersburgh should not be delayed. Being special, and not permanent, the waiting the meeting of the Senate is less important, and, if we waited, that it could not go till spring, and we know not what this summer and the ensuing winter may produce. We think secrecy also important, and that the mission should be as little known as possible, till it is in Petersburgh, which could not be, if known to the Senate. Mr. Short goes therefore in the aviso from Philadelphia, to be engaged for September 15th. He is peculiarly distressed by sickness at sea, and of course more so the smaller the vessel. I think, therefore, the occasion justifies the enlargement of our vessel somewhat beyond what might be necessary for a mere aviso. The season, too, by the time of her return, might render it desirable for safety, which circumstance may be mentioned in your instructions to the collector, to prevent his suspicions of the real ground. I salute you with affection and respect. |