JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President . Printed document signed ("Th:Jefferson") as President, n.p., n.d. [Washington, D.C., 1808]. 1 page, 4to, 250 x 200mm. (9 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.), accomplished in manuscript (one word), separations and several small holes at folds, neatly repaired from verso . PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DEFENDS THE EMBARGO ACT A rare circular letter from the President defending his most controversial policy, the Embargo Act of 1807: "...A division of sentiment was not unexpected. On no question can a perfect unanimity be hoped, or certainly it would have been on that between war and embargo, the only alternatives presented to our choice...[M]anufacturers would of course prefer to war, a state of non-intercourse, so favorable to their rapid growth and prosperity. Agriculture, although sensibly feeling the loss of market for its produce, would find many aggravations in a state of war... "The Embargo, giving time to the belligerent powers [Great Britain and France] to revise their unjust proceedings, and to listen to the dictates of justice, of interest and reputation, which equally urge the correction of their wrongs, has availed our country of the only honorable expedient for avoiding war: and should a repeal of these Edicts supercede the cause for it, our commercial brethren will become sensible that it has consulted their interests, however against their own will...[It is] a fallacious hope that we may, under any pressure, relinquish our equal right of navigating the ocean, go to such ports only as others may prescribe, and there pay the tributary exactions they may impose...While these Edicts are in force, no American can ever consent to a return of peaceable intercourse with those who maintain them..." The Embargo Act forbade any American ship to sail to foreign ports or any foreign ship to sail to American ports, since both Britain and France routinely ignored the neutrality of American ships during the Napoleonic Wars. Jefferson hoped to establish the principal of American neutrality, but the policy had a devastating effect on American commerce and opposition mounted. In 1809, just as he left office, Jefferson signed the Non-Intercourse Act, a compromise which partially lifted the Embargo.
JEFFERSON, THOMAS, President . Printed document signed ("Th:Jefferson") as President, n.p., n.d. [Washington, D.C., 1808]. 1 page, 4to, 250 x 200mm. (9 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.), accomplished in manuscript (one word), separations and several small holes at folds, neatly repaired from verso . PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DEFENDS THE EMBARGO ACT A rare circular letter from the President defending his most controversial policy, the Embargo Act of 1807: "...A division of sentiment was not unexpected. On no question can a perfect unanimity be hoped, or certainly it would have been on that between war and embargo, the only alternatives presented to our choice...[M]anufacturers would of course prefer to war, a state of non-intercourse, so favorable to their rapid growth and prosperity. Agriculture, although sensibly feeling the loss of market for its produce, would find many aggravations in a state of war... "The Embargo, giving time to the belligerent powers [Great Britain and France] to revise their unjust proceedings, and to listen to the dictates of justice, of interest and reputation, which equally urge the correction of their wrongs, has availed our country of the only honorable expedient for avoiding war: and should a repeal of these Edicts supercede the cause for it, our commercial brethren will become sensible that it has consulted their interests, however against their own will...[It is] a fallacious hope that we may, under any pressure, relinquish our equal right of navigating the ocean, go to such ports only as others may prescribe, and there pay the tributary exactions they may impose...While these Edicts are in force, no American can ever consent to a return of peaceable intercourse with those who maintain them..." The Embargo Act forbade any American ship to sail to foreign ports or any foreign ship to sail to American ports, since both Britain and France routinely ignored the neutrality of American ships during the Napoleonic Wars. Jefferson hoped to establish the principal of American neutrality, but the policy had a devastating effect on American commerce and opposition mounted. In 1809, just as he left office, Jefferson signed the Non-Intercourse Act, a compromise which partially lifted the Embargo.
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