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, we should be obliged always to keep a large standing army.  Congress will adjourn in about three weeks.  I hope Captain McComb is going on well with your defensive works.  We shall be able by mid-summer, to give you a sufficient number of gun-boats to protect Charleston from any vessels which can cross the bar; but the militia of the place must be depended on to fill up the complement of men necessary for action in the moment of an attack, as we shall man them, in ordinary, but with their navigating crew of eight or ten good seamen.  I salute you with great esteem and respect.

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER LXIX.—­TO DOCTOR LEIB, June 23, 1808

TO DOCTOR LEIB.

Washington, June 23, 1808.

Sir,

I have duly received your favor covering a copy of the talk to the Tammany society, for which I thank you, and particularly for the favorable sentiments expressed towards myself.  Certainly, nothing will so much sweeten the tranquillity and comfort of retirement, as the knowledge that I carry with me the good will and approbation of my republican fellow-citizens, and especially of the individuals in unison with whom I have so long acted.  With respect to the federalists, I believe we think alike; for when speaking of them,