The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-02-25


good reason to believe that the second was
iutended as a measure familiar to the poll
cy of. that government, to sweep our com
merce from the ocean, carrying into British
ports every vessel of ours navigating upon
the seas, and holding them, their cargoes,
and their crews, in sequestration, to aid IN
negotiation of Mr. Rose, and bring us to
the terms of the British Cabinet. This was
precisely the period, at which the Governor
OF Nova Scotia was giving to his cores
pendent in Massachusetts,, the friendly
" srnng from the British government OF
the revolutionizing and conquering plan OF
France, which was communicated to me,
and of which I apprized Mr.. Jefferson.
The embargo in the mean time, had been
laid, and had saved most of our vessels
and seamen from the grasp of the British
cruizers. 1t had rendered impotent the
British Orders in Council; but at the same
time it had choaked up the channels of our
own commerce. As its operation bore with
heavy pressure upon the commerce and naVi-
cation of the North, the federal leaders soon
began to clamor against it; then to de-
nounce it as unconstitutional, and then to
call upon the Commercial States to concert
measures among themselves, to resist Its
execution. The question made of the con-
stitutionality of the embargo, only proved,
that in times of violent popular excitement,
the clearest delegation of a power to Con-
gress will no more shield the exercise of 1t
from charge of usurpation, than that OF a
power the most remotely implied or con-
structive. The question of the constitution
atty of the embargo was solemnly argued
before the District Court of the United
States at Salem; and although the decision
of the Judge was in its favor, it continued to
be argued to the iuries; and even when 81
i.nced before them, was in the dlstemper
Cf the times so infectious, that the Juries
themselves habitually acquitted those charg
ed with the violation of that law. There
was little doubt, that if the question OF
constitutionality had been brought BEFORE
the State judiciary of Massachusetts,. the
decision of the court would have been
against the law. The first postulate for
the procedures of disunion, was secured.
The second still fingered; for the people,
notwithstanding their excitement, still chung
TO the Union, and the federal majority IN
the legislature was very small. Then was
brought forward the first project for Con-
vention of Delegates from the New England
States to meet in Connecticut, and then
was the time, at which urged with so
much earnestness. by letters to my friends
at Washington, the substitution of the nom
intercourse for the embargo.
The ncn-ntercoufse was substituted.
The arrangement with Mr.. Erskine soon
afterwards ensued; and in August, 1909,
embarked upon public mission to Russia.
My absence from the United States was OF
.~bk nj I rofn IN, fab 20
charge Of the department of State in 1917
The rupture of Mr.. Erskine's arrange
ment, the abortive mission of Mr.. jackson,
the disclosure of Mr.. John Henry, the wal
with Great Britain, the opinion of the Judges
of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts
that, by the Constitution of the United
States, no power was given either to the
president or to Congress, to determine the
actual existence of the exigencies, upon
which the militia of the several States may
be employed in the service of the United
States, and the Hartford Convention, all
happened during my absence from this
country. forbear to pursue the narrative
The two postulates for disunion were near
ly consummated. The interposition of a
kind Providence, restoring peace to our
country and to the world, averted the most
deplorable of catastrophes, and turning
over to the receptacle of things lost upon
earth, the adjourned Convention from Hart
ford to Boston, extinguished (by the mercy
of Heaven, may it be for ever J the project
ed New England Confederacy.
Gentlemen, have waved every scruple,
perhaps even the prophecies of my situa-
ton, to give you this answer, in considera-
ton of that long sincere friendship for
some of you, which can cease to beat only
with the last pulsation of my heart. But
] cannot consent to controversy with you
Here if you please, let your JOINT correspon-
dence rest. | will answer for the public
eye, or for the private ear at his option
either Of you, speaking for himself, upon
any question, which he may justly deem
necessary, for the vindication of his own
reputation. But | can recognize among
you no representative characters. Justly
approaching the filial piety of those who
have signed your letter in behalf of their
deceased sires, | have no reason to believe
that either of those parents would have au-
thorized'the demand fol names, or the cal
for evidence, which you have made. With
the father of your last signer, had, in the
year 1909, one or more intimately confden-
tial conversations on thisvery subject, which
have fattered myself, and still believe,
were not without their influence upon the
conduct of his last and best days. His son
may have found no traces of this among his
fathers. papers. He may believe me that it
is nevertheless true.
1t is not improbable that, at some future
day, sense Of solemn duty to my country
may require of me to disclose the evidence,
which do possess, and for which you call.
But of that day the selection must be at my
own judgment, and it may delayed till
myself shall have gone to answer for the
testimony may bear, before the tribunal
of your God and mine. Should disclosure
of names even then be made by me, it will,
if possible, be made with such reserve as
tenderness to the feelings Of the living, and