CHAPTER CXLIX JEFFERSON, meanwhile, was in frequent consultation as tc the means of thwarting the government, and of inspiring distrust as to the motives of its supporters. With these views he wrote to Madison: * * Could "In a society of members, between whom and yourself are great mutual esteem and respect, a most anxious desire is expressed that you would publish your debates of the Convention. those debates be ready to appear critically, their effect would be decisive. I beg of you to turn this subject in your mind. The arguments against it will be personal; those in favor of it moral; and something is required from you as a set-off against the sin of your retirement."* Madison replied:† "The ideas of publishing the debates of the Convention ought to be well weighed before the expediency of it, in a public as well as personal view, be decided on. Besides the intimate connection between them, the whole volume ought to be examined, with an eye to the use of which every part is susceptible. * * * In the disposition which is at present exercised over the rules of construction, and the counter reports of the proceedings that would perhaps be made out and mustered for the occasion, it is a problem, what tone might be given to the impression on the public mind. But I shall be better able to form and explain my opinion by the time, which now approaches, when I shall have the pleasure of seeing you; and you will find the advantage of * Jefferson to Madison. Jefferson's Works, iii. 407. January 16, 1799. + February 8, 1799. looking over the sheets attentively before you finally make up your own." He then refers to the communications of Gerry, as shown in a report recently submitted by Pickering to the President. "It is impossible," he says, "for any man of candor not to see in the former an anxious desire on the part of France for accommodation, mixed with the feelings which Gerry satisfactorily explains. The latter [displays a narrow understanding and a most malignant heart. Taken, however, in combination with preceding transactions, it is a link that fits the chain. The President could not do less in his speech than allow France an option of peace, nor his minister do less than to insult and exasperate her, if possible, into a refusal of it."]* A He encloses a few more observations for the press. Not daring to meet the contradictions and disproofs which would have ensued a publication of his reported debates, an act of more guarded infidelity was committed. copy of Hamilton's first outline of a Constitution was placed in the hands of Callender, and was published by him. Jefferson writes to Monroe, stating an account of the revenue and expenditure, and the amount of "new taxes." "I shall send you," he adds, "Gerry's correspondence and Pickering's report on it, by which you will perceive the willingness of France to treat with us, and our determination not to believe it, and therefore to go to war with them. For, in this light, must be viewed our surrounding their islands with our armed vessels, instead of their cruising on our coasts, as the law directs." He foretells, that Gerry's despatches will tend strongly to open the eyes of the people, fears the effect of the bill for opening commerce with St. Domingo, as a high aggravation "to France, which, in addition to our cruising around their islands, will put their patience to a great proof. One fortunate circumstance is, that, annihilated as they are on the ocean, they cannot get at us for some time, and thus will give room for the popular sentiment to correct the imprudence." He calls upon him to subscribe to raise a considerable sum of money on loan, to accomplish "a very important * The parts in brackets are omitted in the copy for the press prepared under Madison's eyes. measure under consultation " not disclosed. A similar request is made to Madison. The comments on Gerry's conduct, Jefferson well knew, would prepare his mind for an approach. Soon after his return, Gerry wrote to Jefferson. He selected this opportune time to answer in an elaborate letter, the chief object of which was to induce him to commit a breach of faith by the disclosure of diplomatic confidences. It was couched in terms transparent to any unbiassed mind.* To soothe his aged pride, offended at the employment of Logan † in a secret mission, he broadly denies to Gerry this fact. "In confutation of these and all future calumnies, by way of anticipation, I shall make you a profession of my political faith." His policy was to rely for internal defence "on the militia solely, till actual invasion-and for such a naval force only as may protect our coasts and harbors from such depredations as we have experienced "—that he was "not for a standing army in time of peace, which may overawe the public sentiment-nor for a navy, which, by its own expenses and the eternal wars in which it will implicate us, will grind us with pub * Jefferson's Works, iii. 407. Jan. 26, 1799. In a graphic account of an interview sought by Logan with Washington, the late President states in a memorandum of the interview: "He seemed a little confounded, but recovering, said that not more than five persons had any knowledge of his going-that he was furnished by Mr. Jefferson and McKean with certificates of citizenship." Washington answered "that he was more fortunate than our envoys, for they could neither be received nor heard by M. Merlin or the Directory-that if the powers of France were serious in their professions, there was a plain and effectual way by which that object could be accomplished-namely, to repeal all the obnoxious arrets, by which the commerce and rights of this country had been invaded, put an end to further depredations on both, and make restitution for the injuries we had received.”—He "asked him if the Directory looked upon us as worms, not even allowed to turn when trod upon; for it was evident to all the world, that we had borne and forborne, beyond what even common respect for ourselves permitted." Washington's Writings, xi. 384-5. lic burthens and sink us under them." "I am for free commerce with all nations, political connection with none, and little or no diplomatic establishment." He finally urged him to follow the example of Monroe, and to publish the official confidences of his embassy. "It may be in your power," he said, "to save the people from these miseries by full communications and unrestrained details, postponing motives of delicacy to those of duty. It rests with you to come forward independently, to make your stand on the high ground of your own character, to disregard calumny, and to be borne above it on the shoulders of your grateful fellow-citizens, or to sink into the humble oblivion to which the Federalists (self-called) have secretly condemned you; and even to be happy, if they will indulge you with oblivion, while they have beamed on your colleagues meridian splendor." Certain leaves of this long letter, with characteristic timidity, he prayed him to "burn.” "My trust in you leaves me without a fear that this letter, meant as a confidential communication of my impressions, may ever go out of your own hand, or be suffered in any wise to commit my name. Indeed, besides the accidents which might happen to it even under your care, considering the accident of death to which you are liable, I think it safest to pray you, after reading it as often as you please, to destroy at least the second and third leaves." * * * "I therefore repeat my prayer to burn the second and third leaves."* Carefully avoiding to commit himself by writing for the press, he now "prayed, and besought, and petitioned his friends to write for the public," promising them to be "sacredly secret." "The engine is the press. Every man must lay his purse and his pen under contribution.” ↑ While the leaders of the Democratic party were using all their efforts to impair the energies of public opinion by false alarms of unreal dangers, the intelligence from Europe was of a character to confirm the spirit of the nation. The tone of England, upon whom the destinies of Europe seemed to hang, was firm and lofty. Her King * Jefferson's Works, iii. 407-413. Jefferson to Madison-Works iii 416-February 5, 1799. spoke the voice of her people, whose confidence had been raised by an unexampled series of naval triumphs; by the suppression of the Irish rebels; and by the co-operation of Russia and of Turkey. The victory of the Nile had awakened the hopes of the European continent. In the low countries were formidable insurrections against the imposed authorities.-In France, extensive disaffection. Austria was firm.-The Directory alarmed. Hamilton had seen all the dangers which would result from a longer adherence to a merely defensive policy. He felt that it was not consistent with the dignity of the nation to endure the continuing, though less frequent, depredations of France. He hoped that while her political horizon was darkened, she might feel the importance of acceding to the just and moderate demands of the United States. Always anxious for peace on honorable terms, he proposed a measure which he believed would ensure it, and thus wrote to a member of the House, the day of the date of Jefferson's letter to Gerry * "I should be glad to see, before the close of the session, a law empowering the President, at his discretion, in case a negotiation between the United States and France should not be on foot by the first of August next, or being on foot should terminate without an adjustment of differences, to declare that a state of war exists between the two countries, and thereupon to employ the land and naval forces of the United States in such manner as shall appear to him most effectual for annoying the enemy, and for preventing and frustrating the hostile designs of France, either directly or indirectly, through any of her allies. This course of proceeding, by postponing the event, and giving time for the intervention of negotiation, would be a further proof of moderation in the government; and would tend to reconcile our citizens to the last extremity if it shall ensue, gradually accustoming their minds to look forward to it. "If France be really desirous of accommodation, this plan will ao * Hamilton's Works, vi. 390. January 26, 1799. |