I have just received a deputation from the Alexandrians, who are under uneasiness for their own unprotected situation, and asking the loan of a large number of muskets and cannon. I have convinced them that a very small force at Digges' Point will defend them more effectually than a very great one at their city, and that on your return we will have the place examined, a battery established, and have small arms in readiness to be given out to them in the moment they shall be wanted to support the battery. Indeed I think a position to be taken there is indispensable for the safety of the Navy Yard and its contents: say a battery and block-house. Who can we get to examine the place, and give a proper plan? This we must determine on your return. Nothing new from Norfolk. Mr. Erskine has written pressingly to Commodore Douglass. Affectionate salutations.
Something now occurs almost every day on which it is desirable to have the opinions of the heads of departments, yet to have a formal meeting every day would consume so much of their time as to seriously obstruct their regular business. I have proposed to them, as most convenient for them, and wasting less of their time, to call on me at any moment of the day which suits their separate convenience, when, besides any other business they may have to do, I can learn their opinions separately on any matter which has occurred, also communicate the information received daily. Perhaps you could find it more convenient, sometimes, to make your call at the hour of dinner, instead of going so much further to dine alone. You will always find a plate and a sincere welcome. In this way, that is, successively, I have to-day consulted the other gentlemen on the question whether letters of Marque were to be considered as written within our interdict. We are unanimously of opinion they are not. We consider them as essentially _merchant vessels_; that commerce is their main object, and arms merely incidental and defensive. Affectionate salutations
DEAR SIR,--I wrote you on the 10th of July, 1806, but supposing, from your not acknowledging the receipt of the letter, that it had miscarried, I sent a duplicate with my subsequent one of April the 2d. These having gone by the Wasp, you will doubtless have received them. Since that, yours of May the 1st has come to hand. You will see by the despatches from the department of State, earned by the armed vessel the Revenge, into what a critical state our peace with Great Britain is suddenly brought, by their armed vessels in our waters. Four vessels of war (three of them two deckers) closely blockade Norfolk at this instant. Of the authority under which this aggression is committed, their minister here is unapprized. You will see by the proclamation of July the 2d, that (while we are not omitting such measures of force as are immediately necessary) we propose to give Great Britain an opportunity of disavowal and reparation, and to leave the question of war, non-intercourse, or other measures, uncommitted, to the Legislature. This country has never been in such a state of excitement since the battle of Lexington. In this state of things, cordial friendship with France, and peace at least with Spain, become more interesting. You know the circumstances respecting this last power, which have rendered it ineligible that you should have proceeded heretofore to your destination. But this obstacle is now removed by their recall of Yrujo, and appointment of another minister, and in the meantime, of a chargé des affaires, who has been received. The way now being open for taking your station at Madrid, it is certainly our wish you should do so, and that this may be more agreeable to you than your return home, as is solicited in yours of May the 1st. It is with real unwillingness we should relinquish the benefit of your services. Nevertheless, if your mind is decidedly bent on that, we shall regret, but not oppose your return. The choice, therefore, remains with yourself. In the meantime, your place in the joint commission being vacated by either event, we shall take the measures rendered necessary by that. We have seen, with real grief, the misunderstanding which has taken place between yourself and General Armstrong. We are neither qualified nor disposed to form an opinion between you. We regret the pain which must have been felt by persons, both of whom hold so high a place in our esteem, and we have not been without fear that the public interest might suffer by it. It has seemed, however, that the state of Europe has been such as to admit little to be done, in matters so distant from them.