“Causes which I am persuaded you have anticipated forbid me to allow that free range of thought and expression which could alone apologize for the intrusive character my letters bear. Having, however, offered what I cannot furnish, I go on to substitute something else perhaps not worth receiving....
“Our ministers have not yet, nor do they seem to think it certain that they will be received. Indeed they make arrangements which denote an expectation of returning to America immediately. The captures of our vessels seem to be only limited by the ability to capture. That ability is increasing, as the government has let out to hardy adventurers the national frigates. Among those who plunder us, who are most active in this infamous business, and most loud in vociferating criminations equally absurd and untrue, are some unprincipled apostates who were born in America. The sea rovers by a variety of means seem to have acquired great influence in the government. This influence will be exerted to prevent an accommodation between the United States and France, and to prevent any regulations which may intercept the passage of the spoils they have made on our commerce, to their pockets. The government, I believe, is but too well disposed to promote their views.”
In a letter to Judge Peters, of Philadelphia, dated November 23, 1807, just after the Burr trial, after thanking his correspondent for a volume of “Admiralty Reports,” he has something to say of that case:--
“I have as yet been able only to peep into the book, not to read many of the cases. I received it while fatigued, and occupied with the most unpleasant case which has ever been brought before a judge in this or, perhaps, in any other country which affected to be governed by laws; since the decision of which I have been entirely from home. The day after the commitment of Colonel Burr for a misdemeanor I galloped to the mountains, whence I only returned in time to perform my North Carolina circuit, which terminates just soon enough to enable me to be here to open the court for the ancient dominion. Thus you perceive I have sufficient bodily employment to prevent my mind from perplexing itself about the attentions paid me in Baltimore and elsewhere. I wish I could have had as fair an opportunity to let the business go off as a jest here as you seem to have had in Philadelphia; but it was most deplorably serious, and I could not give the subject a different aspect by treating it in any manner which was in my power. I might, perhaps, have made it less serious to myself by obeying the public will, instead of the public law, and throwing a little more of the sombre upon others.”