tion and respect.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXVIII.--TO CHARLES PINCKNEY, March 30, 1808

TO CHARLES PINCKNEY.

Washington, March 30, 1808.

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 8th was received on the 25th, and I proceed to state
to you my views of the present state and prospect of foreign affairs,
under the confidence that you will use them for your own government and
opinions only, and by no means let them get out as from me. With France
we are in no immediate danger of war. Her future views it is impossible
to estimate. The immediate danger we are in of a rupture with England,
is postponed for this year. This is effected by the embargo, as the
question was simply between that and war. That may go on a certain time,
perhaps through the year, without the loss of their property to our
citizens, but only its remaining unemployed on their hands. A time would
come, however, when war would be preferable to a continuance of the
embargo. Of this Congress may have to decide at their next meeting. In
the mean time, we have good information, that a negotiation for peace
between France and England is commencing through the medium of Austria.
The way for it has been smoothed by a determination expressed by France
(through the Moniteur, which is their government paper), that herself
and her allies will demand from Great Britain no renunciation of her
maritime principles; nor will they renounce theirs. Nothing shall be
said about them in the treaty, and both sides will be left in the next
war to act on their own. No doubt the meaning of this is, that all
the Continental powers of Europe will form themselves into an armed
neutrality, to enforce their own principles. Should peace be made, we
shall have safely rode out the storm in peace and prosperity. If we have
any thing to fear, it will be after that. Nothing should be spared from
this moment in putting our militia into the best condition possible,
and procuring arms. I hope, that this summer, we shall get our whole
sea-ports put into that state of defence, which Congress has thought
proportioned to our circumstances and situation; that is to say, put
_hors d'insulte_ from a maritime attack, by a moderate squadron. If
armies are combined with their fleets, then no resource can be provided,
but to meet them in the field. We propose to raise seven regiments only
for the present year, depending always on our militia for the operations
of the first year of war. On any other plan,