Thomas Jefferson letter to Albert Gallatin, 16 May 1808

Monticello, May 16, 1808.

Dear Sir, - Since writing my letter of yesterday, I have prepared the draft of a circular to the governors not before addressed, under which I mean to cover the printed copies of that of May 6, which I have requested you to send me. This draft I enclose for your perusal. I salute you affectionately.

[Enclosure.]

Sir, - The numerous and bold evasions of the several embargo laws threatened altogether to defeat the great and interesting objects for which they were adopted, and principally under cover of the coasting trade. Congress, therefore, finding insufficient all attempts to bind unprincipled adventurers by general rules, at length gave a discretionary power to detain absolutely all vessels suspected of intentions to evade the embargo laws, wheresoever bound. In order to give to this law the effect it intended, we find it necessary to consider every vessel as suspicious which has on board any articles of domestic produce in demand at foreign markets, and most especially provisions. But as some of the States do not raise a sufficiency of these articles for their own consumption, I addressed to their governors a circular letter, of which the enclosed is a copy. To those whose States, ordinarily, produce a sufficiency within themselves I did not address a copy. But should any extraordinary deficiency render a supply necessary, in the judgment of your Excellency, for the internal consumption of your State, your certificates, given as desired in the enclosed circular, will be effectual for obtaining the necessary supplies. Your own sense of the importance of giving full effect to this measure, and of preventing its being perverted into a mere sacrifice of the worthy to the unprincipled portion of society, will, I am sure, engage your watchfulness over every part of the transactions arising under your authorization. I salute your Excellency with great consideration and respect.