What Congress have already
done in this matter, is an argument the more, in favor of the revolt of
those States against a different arrangement, and of their acquiescence
under a continuance of that. Upon this plan, we treat them as
fellow-citizens; they will have a just share in their own government;
they will love us, and pride themselves in an union with us. Upon
the other, we treat them as subjects; we govern them, and not they
themselves; they will abhor us as masters, and break off from us in
defiance. I confess to you, that I can see no other turn that these two
plans would take. But I respect your opinion, and your knowledge of the
country, too much, to be over-confident in my own.
I thank you sincerely for your communication, that my not having sooner
given notice of the _Arrets_ relative to fish, gave discontent to some
persons. These are the most friendly offices you can do me, because they
enable me to justify myself, if I am right, or correct myself, if wrong.
If those who thought I might have been remiss, would have written to me
on the subject, I should have admired them for their candor, and thanked
them for it: for I have no jealousies nor resentments at things of this
kind, where I have no reason to believe they have been excited by a
hostile spirit; and I suspect no such spirit in a single member of
Congress.
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