CHAPTER VI.

W. King to King-Large Numbers in Maine against the present Measure of the Administration-Gore to King-May choose Electors by the Legislature-Suggested as Senator of U. S.-Baring to King-His Son's Pamphlet-Gore to King-Committee appointed to correspond with Federalists about the next Election of President-Gore to King-Proposed a meeting of Federalists in New York-Federalists prefer federal Candidate-Alternative Clinton-Dr. Mason to King-Condoles with him on account of an Accident to his Son-King to Mason-Responds-King to Gore-Astonished at Parsons views about the Presidential Election-Clinton not supported in N. Y. against Madison-Ewing's Career-King to Gore-Trees for Jamaica-Better Temper in England respecting America-Pickering to King-Embargo to be continued-N. England Opposition makes President's Friends uneasy-Anecdote relative to Franklin in the Peace Negotiations-King to Pickering-Madison and Neutral Rights as affected by the Berlin Decree-Gore to King-Disappointment in Boston the Embargo is not repealed-Sufferings unbearable-Articles in Ev'g Post, on France's Infringement of Treaty attributed to King.

DEAR SIR:

WM. KING TO R. KING.

BOSTON, May 24, 1808.

I duly received yours of the 6th & 12th inst. Considering the present situation of the country, there are many persons in this State and in the District of Maine in particular, who have been supporting the present administration, who would have had no objections to the termination of your State election in the way you first apprehended (Federal)

How the parties will stand here is at present uncertain as it respects the organization of the Government, but this you can. calculate on to a certainty that there will be a large majority that will not approve the present measures of the administration. The interest which I mentioned to you is now formidable; I think it will extend to one half of the democratick members of

the District of Maine. It is a mercantile interest which they believe has been neglected. When the Resolution approving the measures of the Government came up from the House to the Senate the last winter, they were postponed from day to day for more than 10 days at my request and that of some of my commercial friends, who were then of the opinion that there was not information enough before the Public to authorize an approbation of the Embargo in particular. However we found it necessary then to give way, or break with the persons with whom we acted. The difficulties on the part of some of the Republican's were exaggerated and sent abroad with a view to injure in the estimation of the People men who they observed had a deep commercial interest which they were disposed to accommodate in preference to that of the general interest of the country. This information had an effect the reverse of what they had contemplated.

There will be no difficulty here in obtaining such Electors, whether they are chosen by the Legislature or the People at large, as your friends would think favourably of. Since Congress adjourned, the people almost despair of any thing being done for them as promptly as they had reason to expect, and I am of the opinion that had the adjournment taken place before the International Election, Mr. Gore would have been elected with a large majority; such was the immediate effect it had & continues still to have. Should things remain in the present situation until the fall, there must be I think a change of men. Should the Election of members of Congress come on now with the present feelings of the people, not more certainly than three Democratick members would be returned from this State. If other States are similarly influenced there can be but little do'bt what the result of the fall Elections will be; with the Elections of the Spring I have taken no part and feel inclined to look on for a time, at least until I am better satisfied. . .

Your affectionate Brother Wm. King

C. GORE TO R. KING.

MY DEAR FRIEND :

BOSTON, May 28, 1808.

Our Friends have been uncommonly anxious for my return, which, however, I am confident, could have been attended

with no good. It would have been impossible for me to have avoided being Speaker. . . . We have a majority of about 30 (in the House) & yesterday morning we elected Senators to fill up the vacancies there. It now consists of 23 Federal members & 17 Democrats.

We shall probably pass some Vote or Resolve for choosing Electors by the Legislature. Sullivan might plague us in approving of any Resolve, and in looking into our State and the Federal Constitution, we are generally convinced that the two Branches alone have the right of directing the manner, and that the Resolve need not go to him for his approbation. Some of our people hesitate on the Expediency of this proceeding because it will not be according to the usage of the country, but I trust they will accede to our wishes.

We shall choose a Senator this Session; but who it will be I cannot say. To take one that cannot be objected to by the friends of Mr. Adams seems the great Difficulty. The Federalists have

been very importunate with me on this subject, believing that such a choice would be made as to prevent all chance of a Division. Whether this be true, I cannot judge, but the Sacrifice of personal feeling, or of interest, by absence, would be greater than I think I am required to make. Mr. Lloyd is thought of & would certainly be an acquisition from his commercial knowledge &c., &c. yours truly

C. GORE. P. S. Sullivan gives a Certificate to whomever applies for permission to import Flour; his son George taking only one dollar for the Certific.

F. BARING TO R. KING.

LONDON, 3d June, 1808.

MY DEAR SIR :

I trust that my son's performance has reached you. The first edition was sent forth in too much haste & under the pressure of severe illness. . . . It was undoubtedly intended as an answer to "War in disguise," but as nothing has appeared from its author in reply & that the opinion is generally favorable even by Government to the facts and principles which it contains, much good may be said to have been done. Ministers and their

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friends say, it is too much American, for something they must say, but they cannot point out any part that will admit of such an interpretation & their language in public has been much more conciliatory since its appearance. Unfortunately there is a degree of false shame which induces many to persist in error, rather than to acknowledge it, and if the late administration with "all the Talents" did not succeed, it must be admitted that their successors do not posses that superior intellect which enables great men to overcome prejudices. It may almost be said that there is but one man and one system in the world, and that defence, or rather the contest for self preservation, consists in a strict literal opposition according to the circumstances of the moment, without contemplating any large or deep plan which shall aid the courage and firmness manifested everywhere, and on which minds rely too much. .

Your most truly faithful hum, servant

F. BARING.

C. GORE TO R. KING.

BOSTON, Thursday, June 8, 1808.

To avoid all question about the Governor's approbation of a Resolve appointing the manner of choosing Electors, we at first voted to postpone the consideration of the subject until the next Session. We then voted to ask an adjournment, until the 2d Thursday in November; then to meet for the purpose of choosing Electors &c. The Democrats have had an Intention to embarrass this Measure, through the Governor, and may probably attempt it, when we come to request the Adjournment, but I have no great apprehensions on the subject.

Mr. Adams last night sent a letter to the Legislature, resigning his office of Senator. We have elected Lloyd. Our answer to the Governor's are in unison with the Resolutions.

We have appointed a Committee to correspond with the Federalists in the other States on the business of the next Election of President & V. President. I think the Federalists were never more united or more encouraged than at present. The Embargo is producing real & extensive distress and the officers are acting very indiscreetly, if not wantonly, in taking Flour from Stores on the Schoodiac and carrying it to the Custom House where it lies

as is said, uncovered and exposed to the weather; and many actions we are told, are commenced against the officers.

C. GORE.

C. GORE TO R. KING.

MY DEAR SIR : BOSTON, June 16, 1808. Our Committee of Correspondence, which was appointed by a Committee of twenty, which 20 were chosen by the Federalists consisting of nearly three hundred, is composed of George Cabot, Otis. Lloyd, Bigelow & myself. We met on Saturday last, & immediately sent Livermore to N. Hampshire, and we are flatter'd with the Belief that the Electors of that State will be federal.

After some Conversation it was deemed advisable to propose a meeting of Federalists, from as many States, as could be seasonably notified, at New York the last of this, or the Beginning of the next month and Bigelow sets off on Monday for Vermont to consult and arrange with the Feds of that State, on their sending some person or persons to the meeting in N. York; and to attain the best Data for forming an opinion as to the Result of their Election. Otis is now at R. Island. This measure of the proposed meeting was adopted for the purpose of concerting our arrangements, & ascertaining, as far as could be done, the Weight of the Federalists in the next Election, and how to dispose the power they might be possessed of. It was hastened by a letter from Mr. Hare of Philadelphia, who stated the necessity of the Federalists knowing in Philadelphia, what was conceived to be the best course to be pursued, whether to attempt bringing in a Federal Prest. &c. or to unite with the Clintonians, that they might begin to canvass accordingly for Electors. Hare's opinion, so far as could be gather'd from his Letter, appeared to be in favour of running the Federal Candidates, although the probability was against our Success; and Judge Sedgwick (who is in Philadelphia, probably with a view of gaining some heat for his Autumnal Campaign, which is to be matrimonial, with Miss Penelope Russell of about 40 years of age, who does not appear likely to be gratified with the Coldness or Imbecility of age) communicates similar opinions with Hare. Our Gentlemen are anxious to support a federal Candidate, and that from New York, instead of the one from S. Carolina; provided there is the least probability of Success.