him in a
public capacity, he trusts that Mr. Jefferson will feel equally that
it must be out of his power to accept it, without receiving
previously, through the channel of the Secretary of State, the
necessary formal assurance of the President's determination to observe
toward him those niceties of distinction which have heretofore been
shown by the executive government of the United States to the persons
who have been accredited as our Majesty's ministers.

"Mr. Merry has the honor to request of Mr. Madison to lay this
explanation before the President, and to accompany it with the
strongest assurance of his highest respect and consideration."

The Secretary of State, who seems to have been acting as social
secretary to Mr. Jefferson, without hesitation replied as follows:

"Mr. Madison presents his compliments to Mr. Merry. He has
communicated to the President Mr. Merry's note of this morning, and
has the honor to remark to him that the President's invitation, being
in the style used by him in like cases, had no reference to the points
of form which will deprive him of the pleasure of Mr. Merry's company
at dinner on Monday next.

"Mr. Madison tenders to Mr. Merry his distinguished consideration."

The friction arising out of this and interlocking incidents was part
of the unfortunate train of events which later led up to the war of
1812.]

"So much for the rule of the plain people!" said Burr, as he laid the
tips of his fingers together contemplatively.

"Yet, Colonel Burr, you are Vice-President under this administration!"
broke out Merry.

"One must use agencies and opportunities as they offer. My dear sir,
perhaps you do not fully know me. I took this election only in order
to be close to the seat of affairs. I am no such rabid adherent to
democracy as some may think. You would be startled if I told you that
I regard this republic as no more than an experiment. This is a large
continent. Take all that Western country--Louisiana--it ought not to
be called attached to the United States. At this very moment it is
half in rebellion against its constituted authorities. More than once
it has been ready to take arms, to march against New Orleans, and to
set up a new country of its own. It is geography which fights for
monarchy, against democracy, on this continent--in spite of what all
these people say."

"Sir," said the British minister, "you have been a student of
affairs."

"And why not? I claim intellig