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Subject Area: Political Theory

GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON. - Albert Gallatin, The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1 [1879]

Edition used:

The Writings of Albert Gallatin, ed. Henry Adams (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1879). 3 vols.

Part of: The Writings of Albert Gallatin, 3 vols.

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GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON.

New York, August 9, 1808.

Dear Sir,—

Governor Tompkins transmits to you a letter from Oswego, announcing an insurrection there. The particulars I know not, as, if the collector has written, his letter has gone to Washington. The accounts are, I presume, somewhat exaggerated; and there is no more insurrection than has been on Lake Champlain or Passamaquoddy; but certainly a forcible violation of the embargo by such combination as prevents the execution of the law and would justify the calling of militia. I had a long conference with the governor, and stated your reluctance to issue another proclamation declaring a part of this State in a state of insurrection. He felt the force of the observation, and declared his willingness to do whatever he could legally and properly do.

I assured him that if he called any militia on this occasion on his own authority the expense would be defrayed by the United States; and I think that it will be necessary that you should give him assurances to the same effect. He proposes—and this would be the most effectual mode—to go himself, as soon as he has received an answer from General Dearborn respecting the fortifications and obstructions here, to Oswego, Sacket’s Harbor, and Champlain. For he observes that the militia officers, if selected at random, may be imprudent or disaffected. Whether you request him to act on his own authority, or issue a proclamation and make a formal requisition of militia, the number may probably be left to his discretion, not exceeding five hundred men in all. In that case I think that one company at each of the following places, Genesee, Oswego, Sacket’s Harbor, Oswegatchie, Lake Champlain, and the residue between the two last-mentioned places, to guard the land roads and the crossing-places of St. Lawrence below the Oswegatchie, will form a proper distribution.

Information of violations along the sea-shore of Massachusetts continues to be received daily. The Wasp, Argus, and Chesapeake have been ordered by the Secretary of the Navy in that quarter. To that force Commodore Rogers has promised to join the Revenge; but I have not been able to obtain more than three gunboats, which is inadequate. I have requested they might be sent to Newport, New Bedford, and Barnstable, and that the Revenge should cruise about the Vineyard, and between Nantucket and Cape Cod; the three large vessels, particularly the Wasp and Argus, to cruise from Cape Cod to Portland, and occasionally eastwardly. This, with the revenue cutters, is all we can do, and of course we must remain satisfied with the result, whatever it may be. To our other difficulties there must be added that the district attorney—Blake—does not seem zealous, or even active, and that we will not recover many penalties. I will write to him to-day, though it is not precisely in my line, and he has not answered a former letter. We have also a bad collector—Pease—at Edgartown on Matthias Vineyard, the largest island between Nantucket and Cape Cod. Is not a Mr. Green the representative for that district? If you know his residence, I will write to him respecting a successor. I presume it must be at Barnstable. It is also reported that in that quarter fishing vessels and vessels permitted to go in ballast abuse their privileges, and carry provisions to the West Indies.

I have as yet, to all applications to send vessels to Europe, Africa, and Asia, given the uniform answer that the President had determined not to grant any permissions, except for the West Indies: this makes the Chinese permission inconvenient. And I enclose for your decision one from the insurance companies of Philadelphia for Cape of Good Hope, which I do not wish, any more than that of Coquerel for Isle of France, to be granted, and which indeed stands on no better foundation than individual applications. But the permission allowed to Punga Wingchong makes individuals desirous of a direct reference to yourself.

I found in my conversation with Governor Tompkins that no order had issued from the War Department for renewing the detachment of 100,000 militia under last year’s law. So that in case of emergency we have not one man besides the regulars in readiness. Although out of my proper business, I cannot help saying that under the circumstances of the country that omission appears wrong, and that orders to that effect ought immediately to be issued by the War Department to every State, in order to have the men in readiness if wanted.

I have inquired also why the delay had taken place in making the cession of ground for obstructions. The governor tells me that that will be done the instant that General Dearborn will have specified where he wants it, which he has not yet done. But you may rely upon it that General Dearborn has pointed out a place where from the depth (96 feet) a plan of obstructions is altogether impracticable. The shallowest part of the channel is the only part where it can be done. I have told General Dearborn where that was, having had the soundings correctly taken last year; but he is bent to the line between his forts, and the consequence is, clearly, that nothing will be done.1

With respectful attachment, your obedient servant.

[1 ]See reply to this letter in Jefferson’s Works, v. 344, dated August 15.