I wrote you last on the 15th; since that, yours of the 12th has been received.  Since that, too, a great change has taken place in the appearance of our political atmosphere.  The merchants, as before, continue, a respectable part of them, to wish to avoid arming.  The French decree operated on them as a sedative, producing more alarm than resentment:  on the Representatives, differently.  It excited indignation highly in the war party, though I do not know that it had added any new friends, to that side of the question.  We still hoped a majority of about four:  but the insane message which you will see in the public papers has had great effect.  Exultation on the one side, and a certainty of victory; while the other is petrified with astonishment.  Our Evans, though his soul is wrapt up in the sentiments of this message, yet afraid to give a vote openly for it, is going off to-morrow, as is said.  Those who count, say there are still two members of the other side who will come over to that of peace.  If so, the members will be for war measures, fifty-two, against them fifty-three; if all are present except Evans.  The question is, what is to be attempted, supposing we have a majority:  I suggest two things:  1.  As the President declares he has withdrawn the executive prohibition to arm, that Congress should pass a legislative one.  If that should fail in the Senate, it would heap coals of fire on their heads. 2.  As, to do nothing and to gain time is everything with us, I propose, that they shall come to a resolution of adjournment, ’in order to go home and consult their constituents on the great crisis of American affairs now existing.’  Besides gaining time enough by this, to allow the descent on England to have its effect here as well as there, it will be a means of exciting the whole body of the people from the state of inattention in which they are; it will require every member to call for the sense of his district by petition or instruction; it will show the people with which side of the House their safety as well as their rights rest, by showing them which is for war and which for peace; and their representatives will return here invigorated by the avowed support of the American people.  I do not know, however, whether this will be approved, as there has been little consultation on the subject.  We see a new instance of the inefficiency of constitutional guards.

We had relied with great security on that provision, which requires two thirds of the legislature to declare war.  But this is completely eluded by a majority’s taking such measures as will be sure to produce war.  I wrote you in my last, that an attempt was to be made on that day in Senate, to declare the inexpediency of renewing our treaties.  But the measure is put off under the hope of its being attempted under better auspices.  To return to the subject of war, it is quite impossible, when we consider all the existing circumstances, to find any reason in its favor resulting from views either of interest or honor,