Graham— George. Commissioner of
the Land Office, brought a Letter from the Register of a Land-Office
urging a resale of certain half Sections, once sold; but the sale of
which was not carried into effect— The Land has been offered to the
original purchasers on condition of their paying the purchase money and
Interest— I questioned the right of charging Interest against them— Mr Graham admitted the objection, and will
prepare a Letter accordingly— I gave him a petition from Ohio, for a
preemption privilege of certain Lands for a Country Seat, for Pioria
Colver— Daniel of Reedy Creek Township, Ohio came on a visit of curiosity. Here about a Patent.
Mandeville— James of Alexandria—to solicit an appointment as a Clerk in a Department
Taylor— George— of Alexandria. Wants a Consular Appointment, not Oporto or Teneriffe
Mower of New-York—a visit— C. Hughes also a visit—and he dined with us.
Cabinet Meeting— Wirt, Attorney
General absent. There was a discussion about a controversy with the
State of New-Jersey about the Pea-patch fortification. The United States
took their Title from the State of Delaware— But New Jersey claims
Jurisdiction and Soil— a Doctor
Lane was tenant under her, and dispossessed. He resorts to
New Jersey for redress, and the District Attorney there, Stockton, was instructed to ask of
the Government of New Jersey the Cession of her claim to Jurisdiction—
But the Governor insists as a
Condition Precedent, that Dr Gale’s claim should be
quieted by U.S. Mr Clay was warm against any
compromise, and insisted that in any event the United States would
recover the decision of the Supreme Court— Mr
Southard was equally confident of the title of New-Jersey
and also warm.
I advised Governor Barbour to
write to Stockton, and enquire how much would pacify Dr. Gale.
I read the first draft of the Message which took me about an hour and a
half— There was some conversation as to the mode of discussing its
topics. It was observed that Remarks of a general nature might occupy
this day; and at the next Meeting, Friday at one O’Clock, it should be
read again by Paragraphs. Governor Barbour objected to the whole
concluding recommendations on the subject of internal improvements—and
Mr Clay thought there was much force in
his remarks. The consideration of this however was postponed—but Mr Clay objected to a sentiment expressed
relating to the claims of our Citizens upon France, and several other
European Governments— After stating that the justice of the claims on
France was undenied and undeniable; and that reparation for them had
long been sought in vain, I stated that the United States would be fully
justified in resorting to their own force for redress— But that force
instead of obtaining redress was more adapted to aggravate than to
repair such wrongs: and that our policy would be to persevere in urging
the claims until Justice for them shall be obtained, but explicitly
without resorting to force, or committing any hostility. Mr Clay insisted that this would be
equivalent to a total abandonment of the claims— He was for recommending
the issuing of Letters of Marque and Reprizals; which he insisted would
not be war; or at least for intimating to Congress that that measure
would hereafter be advisable, if France should continue to disregard the
Representations of our Minister— To this measure or any thing like it
Governor Barbour was quite averse— He thought Reprizals, even special
Reprizals would be War, or certainly lead to War— That these claims,
though considerable, were of long standing— That nobody in this Country
had the remotest idea of going to War for them— That excepting among the
claimants there was not much excitement concerning them; and that to
talk of going to War for them would excite more surprize than
approbation— He said that he as chairman 14chairman
of the committee of Foreign Relations of the Senate had proposed in a
Report to use expressions far short of this which were yet deemed too
strong—and he deeply deprecated War— Mr Clay
proposed three alternatives— To recommend reprizals immediately. To
recommend them prospectively and contingent— And to say nothing about
them— He would like the first the best—but either better than my
abandonment of the claims, as he thought it would be generally
considered to be. Mr Rush inclined to Mr Clay— Mr
Southard expressed no opinion at the Meeting; but after it, on my
enquiry said he thought the recommendation against the use of force
should be omitted—
Hughes sat with me after dinner till ten in the Evening—