CHAPTER XV.

Bingham to King-England may declare Blockade of French Ports-Not advantageous to the U. S.-At Home antifederal Party gaining GroundFall of Prices in Europe injurious to Merchants-King to Sec'y of StateEnvoys arrived-Troup to King--Gov. Jay living too retired-Beneficial Use of Oxygen Gas in Consumption-Jay may retire-Should declare his Intentions-Coming Elections-Deep rooted Disgust with Adams-Cabot to King-Cannot avoid opening an Intercourse with France if she concedes our Demands-Hopes he will remain in England-The Country has the highest Confidence in him-New Alliance with France to be dreaded-King to T. Hume-Missing Georgia Records—To Pickering-Liston's Letters to J. Buchanan-Says he must lead Mr. Adams by the Nose-Constable to King-Envoys arrived-Well received-King to Sec'y of State-Note about 6th Article not yet answered-Campaign on the Continent not yet opened-Intentions of Russia uncertain-To Sec'y of State-Lord Grenville does not wish to enter into formal Discussions relative to explanatory articles of 6th Article--King to Lord Grenville-About new Commissioners ---General Answer to his Communication on that Subject--Lord Grenville's specific Answer to King's Note of 18th Feb'y-Accepting only the Making of a new Board,

WM. BINGHAM TO R. KING.

PHILADA., March 5, 1800.

DEAR SIR:

... The Evils you predicted from the want of concert amongst the allies have been fully matured. I am sorry to see that they extend to that Degree as to occasion the Defection of the Russian Troops. I was not unprepared for the Event, as my Letters, from my Friends, announced the Views of Austria to be her National Aggrandizement, whilst those of Russia were directed to curbing the Power & overthrowing the Government of France.

We have been long deprived of any Intelligence from that Country. I do not expect that the recent revolution will have

any Tendency to promote a general Peace, as a military Despotism cannot be supported without a large Military Establishment.

Denmark having acceded to the coalition, it is probable that G. B. (if the war continues) will attempt to form a League of the Maritime Powers, whose object will be to distress France, by withholding all Supplies thro' the Medium of the Neutral Flag, by declaring the Ports of that Country to be in a state of Blockade. In connection with Holland, she had recourse to this desperate measure during the last century. Should she again resort to it, the United States will be placed in a disagreeable Predicament; especially if a Treaty should be formed with the great Republic, as will offer such conditions as will induce the Expediency of ratifying it. A continuation of our prohibitory System would have been much more eligible & dignified than a Renunciation of our Intercourse with France, thro' the Medium of an extraneous Interference opposed to the Principles of the Law of Nations. However such conjectures may be ill formed, but if unlooked for Changes take place, we must adapt our Policy & arrange our Measures so as to conform to the new State of Things.

We have a very decided Majority in the House, and that in the Senate nearly in the same Proportion, as when you left. Any official System which will not too violently oppose the Temper of the Times may be readily adopted. Unfortunately by unremitting Industry & Perseverance, aided by the most skilful Address to the Passions & low Interests of the People, the Antifederal Party in some of the States, is gaining Ground. It will not be determined on any National Calculation, untill the Result of the State Elections of New York & Jersey is known, what will be the probable Issue of the next Election of a President. In this State there will be no Election of Electors or an arrangement for district Elections, in Consequence of a Compromise which will neutralize the votes; as each Party has its Majority in either one or other of the Branches.

A Schism which has taken place between the President & some of his Friends on the Subject of the French Mission, will tend to weaken the Efforts, if not divide the Interests of some influential Persons. It is not determined who will be the federal Candidate as Vice President. General Pinckney has some warm

Supporters; whilst others are disposed to prefer the Pretensions of a Character from the middle States.

Your Suggestion of the Sufferings of our Merchants from the Failures & Fall of Prices in Europe are too well founded. Baltimore in particular has experienced the greatest Calamities, having from too prevalent a Spirit of Enterprise adventured far beyond its Resources. Many Bankruptcies have taken place & many more are expected & such is its Distress, that its Merchants have asked the aid of the Government, by suspending for a limited Time, the Collection of the Duties in that Port, which is a Mode of Relief, which does not altogether meet my approval for various Reasons. Other trading Cities will likewise suffer, but not in the same degree. This Country's remote Situation from Europe will always be an Obstacle to availing itself of the Variety of Circumstances which influence the Rise & Fall of its Exports.

The Death of General Washington has exhibited the literary character of our Country in a Variety of funeral Orations & Eulogiums, some of which have a great Share of Merit, & others are below Mediocrity. As soon as I can find a direct Opportunity, I will send you a copy of each of them.

With Sincerity & Esteem &c.

WM. BINGHAM.

R. KING TO SECRETARY OF STATE.

No. 64.

LONDON, March 13, 1800.

DEAR SIR:

We have the Paris papers to the 9th inst. which state that Messrs. Ellsworth & Davie arrived there on the 4th, & that Joseph Buonaparte, Fleurieu & Roederer were appointed to treat with them & Mr. Murray who had before arrived. According to the intelligence received by these Papers, the Austrians, as well as the French are making the greatest preparations for the Campaign that seems on the point of opening. We are still without mails from Hamburgh, & therefore without any other information than

that of the French Papers respecting the Russians, who it is believed have returned home.

I have received your number 72, and am in daily expectation of the arrival of Mr. Sitgreaves. No further progress is yet made in the negotiation concerning the 6th Article of our Treaty with this Country.

With perfect Respect and Esteem &c.

RUFUS KING.

DEAR SIR:

R. TROUP TO R. KING.

NEW YORK, 9th March, 1800.

General efforts are now making in the Legislature by Mr. Williamson & his friends to have the western roads turnpiked; and if the object can be accomplished, of which I am far from despairing, the improvement of the country will travel on with much quicker step.

The Governor's (Mr. Jay) mode of living is too retired. His house is unfavorable to the entertainment of company, and Mrs. Jay has not been in a situation to be with company for several months past. I never saw her when at Albany last October, nor during my last visit. She is undoubtedly in the first stage of a decline. At present she is living on a species of air, prepared by Dr. Stringham at Albany (Oxygen gas) from which she is supposed to have derived some benefit. This air seems to have renovated Genl. Schuyler and Mrs. Patroon, both of whom within eighteen months past, were considered as in a dying state. Mrs. Patroon appears nearly as well as I ever saw her. Genl. Schuyler is so recovered that he really gives ground for believing that he is immortal. . . . Lawrance resolved to resign as soon as the present sitting of Congress is over. Watson, it is also generally supposed, will resign. His senatorial duties interfere with his duties as naval agent of the United States for New York. Mr. Morris, in all probability, will succeed one of these gentlemen. Who will be the other Senator I cannot divine. The Patroon would accept, and indeed it is said he wishes the

appointment. But his friends are rather inclined to keep him in the State with a view to succeeding Mr. Jay as Governor. Our election for Governor comes on next April twelve month, and if Mr. Jay should leave us we have no other man that we can hold up as his successor. This is universally assented to. The Patroon declares against the measure, but we shall be constrained to insist upon his serving, if elected, and to reject his refusal.

It is desirable that Mr. Jay should now declare his intention, but he says he is uncertain whether he will consent to be supported again, and that he cannot declare himself till the meeting of the Legislature in November next for the appointment of Electors of President and Vice President. My suspicion is that if we lose the ensuing election of members of the Legislature, which will be all important as to the election of President and Vice President, Mr. Jay will consider it as a decisive index of the public mind as to his own election and that he will quit us. If we succeed in the ensuing election, he will then consent to be a candidate. It is certain that we cannot take up a federal candidate who will run more heavily than he will. Our party is considerably weakened, and causes exist and are daily operating, which will most probably render it still weaker a twelve month hence.

During the present administration we have lost not a little ground. This I have heretofore suggested to you, and I have no doubt you received it with astonishment. The fact is nevertheless so. The chancellor and Burr have unquestionably a view to the office of governor, and it will be fortunate for us if they both persist in their pretensions.

This election will be all important, (to choose a Legislature to appoint electors) and particularly so as there is a decided and deep rooted disgust with Mr. Adams on the part of his best old friends. I understand from correct authority that the Eastern delegation in Congress, almost entirely, if not wholly, believe that the preservation of the federal cause essentially depends on removing Mr. Adams and appointing a more discreet man to the Presidency. You will naturally exclaim, is this possible? It is more than possible, it is really too true. By the next Packet I will be particular on this head, at present I merely announce the fact. Hence you will see the necessity of making every possible exertion to have a decided