Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON. - The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1

Return to Title Page for The Writings of Albert Gallatin, vol. 1

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Economics
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.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


GALLATIN TO JEFFERSON.

New York, August 17, 1808.

Dear Sir,—

I return Lowry’s papers. I do not exactly recollect what had passed on the subject, and only remember that there was a statement of facts obtained from the district attorney, in which the species and degree of resistance to the deputy marshal were represented as greater than is done by themselves and Mr. Smith. In every other respect the representation of Mr. Smith is, I think, correct. The conduct of the land companies has uniformly been contrary to the intention and spirit of the law; and I think the decree of the Supreme Court radically wrong, and to have worked a great and extensive injury. It is true that nothing can justify resistance to law. In this instance, however, the parties having suffered a longer imprisonment than was decreed by the court for their offence, and being now detained merely on account of their poverty, which prevents their paying the fine, the case may be proper for the exercise of a pardon remitting only that fine. I would speak more decisively if I had the former papers before me.

The enclosed application of Smissaert, a Batavian consul, to export to Batavia certain copper coins called dutes, necessary in the intercourse with the natives of Java, had been refused verbally in Washington last winter, and is now renewed, with a request to be laid before you, principally, I believe, in order to show to his government that he has done all he could to obtain a permission.

I enclose a letter from the collector of Gloucester (Cape Ann, Massachusetts), together with copies of my answer and of a letter to the district attorney, on the subject of forcible opposition to the embargo. Be pleased to return both the letter and copies. I am verbally informed this morning that still more gross proceedings have taken place at Newburyport,—a vessel having sailed by force under the protection of a large armed mob assembled on the wharf, and who prevented the interference of the custom-house officers. The Argus and Wasp will sail this week for that coast; the Revenge is off Nantucket and Matthias Vineyard; the Chesapeake off Block Island, whence she has already sent eight vessels in. But I could only get four gunboats, one of which is stationed at Newport, one at New Bedford, one south of the Barnstable or Cape Cod Peninsula, and the other will go north of the same peninsula, between Barnstable Bay and Plymouth. Beyond that we have no stationary force but the two revenue cutters of Boston and Portsmouth, and the two Passamaquoddy gunboats. If the Argus and Wasp do not check the illegal sailing of vessels from that coast, and the law proceedings are impotent, we will be placed in an awkward situation, for we cannot much rely on Governor Sullivan’s exertions.

The opposition at Oswego has broken into insurrection, as you will perceive by the enclosed letter from the collector and those you will receive from the governor, who has agreed to send one or two companies of militia, under one of his aids, to be stationed in that district. I have assured him that the expense would be defrayed by the United States, although the militia were called by the State authority, inasmuch as it was at our request and to avoid the proclamation, &c., that it was done. But I do not know how to arrange the details, which belong entirely to the War Department. General Dearborn has referred me for orders to the recruiting-parties to General Wilkinson, to whom I feel some delicacy to give what he may consider as improper interference. I think, therefore, that in addition to what I have written, and may again write, to General Dearborn, it will be necessary that you should, 1, repeat to Governor Tompkins the assurance that the expense of the militia which he has called, or may, according to circumstances, think necessary to call, on the Lakes, will be defrayed by the general government; 2, direct the War Department to make the necessary arrangements for the regular payment and supply of provisions for such militia; and, 3, direct General Wilkinson to order immediately all the recruits in the State of New York, including those in the city, to repair, about ⅓ to Sacket’s Harbor, on Lake Ontario; ⅓ to Oswegatchie, on St. Lawrence; and ⅓ to Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain; in order to assist the collectors in keeping possession of deposits of provisions, potash, &c., and in detaining vessels and boats sailing forcibly. This is all that strikes me at this moment as necessary and within our power, and I wish you to write to those three persons—the governor, General Dearborn, and General Wilkinson—only because your letters will produce more effect than mine would.

Application was made for leave to transport immediately the North Carolina wheat, on which I wrote a circular, in which I have added some relaxations which the situation of that State seemed to require. A copy of that and of sundry letters respecting the Chinese (who has sailed) will be sent to you from Washington.1

Respectfully, your obedient servant.

[1 ]See reply in Jefferson’s Works, v. 355, dated August 26, 1808.