Jefferson’s Proclamation on the State of Affairs with England (1807)

This issue of The Balance and Columbian Repository features Jefferson's proclamation regarding the British attacks on American vessels, several articles debating the President's stance on the matter, an article about Aaron Burr's trial, toasts given in honor of Independence Day, and an address to the Medical Society of Columbia County.

Jefferson's July 2 proclamation on the state of affairs with England: "During the wars which, for some time, have unhappily prevailed among the powers of Europe, the United States of America, firm in their principles of peace have endeavored by justice, by a regular discharge of all their National & Social duties, & by every friendly office their situation has admitted, to maintain with all the belligerents: their Accustomed relations of friendship, hospitality, & commercial intercourse…& this too, amidst a Constant recurrence of Acts of insubordination to the laws, of violence to the persons, & of trespasses on the property of our Citizens, committed by Officers of one of the belligerent parties received among us. In truth these abuses of the laws of hospitality have, with few exceptions, become habitual to the commanders of British armed vessels hovering on our coasts, and frequenting our harbors." (p5/c3-p6/c2).

Additional Content

An article against the suspension of habeas corpus in the Aaron Burr situation: "The suspension of the privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus was not only unnecessary, when it was proposed, but I assert never can be necessary...." (p4/c1-p5/c3).

An article on Jefferson's upcoming speech: "This is not the time for temporizing measures. We know enough of and have suffered sufficient from the British government...." (p3/c1-2).

An article on Jefferson's sending messages on the ship Revenge to London regarding the attacks on American vessels: "Send the Revenge! The Revenge should be kept at home – Revenge, just and reasonable, should be retained for our own use. Congress should be convened – intercourse suspended – an embargo laid, and then, if England wants to negotiate, let her send her ministers to us...." (p3/c2-3).

A section on the attacks by British ships on American vessels: "To plunder some of our citizens, murder others, and then audaciously and most provokingly to laugh at the rest for the DEFENCELESS STATE OF OUR NATION...." (p3/c3).

Toasts celebrating Independence Day: "Toasts, drank by the federalists of this city, at Mr. Stocking's, on the late anniversary of our independence: - 1. The Day. 2. The memory of Washington. 3. The memory of Hamilton…11. Wilkinson and Burr – May traitors be detected and punished...." (p7/c2-3).

An address delivered to the Medical Society of Columbia County on June 2, by its Vice President Thomas Brodhead: "The subject of fever is one which has engaged the attention of all ages, and I believe I may safely say of all nations; it is one which has drawn the united efforts of almost all the writers on medical subjects; and it is one which, I am persuaded, is not yet sufficiently well understood." (p1/c1-p3/c1).

The Balance and Columbian Repository (1801-1807) was a weekly newspaper published in Hudson, New York. The publishers were Ezra Sampson (1749-1823), George Chittenden (1776-1845), and Harry Croswell (1778-1858). It contained moral and religious essays, poetry, agricultural news, literary notices, speeches and addresses, proceedings of the New York legislature and Congress, legal notices, and advertisements. One of the newspaper's claims to fame is providing in May 1806 one of the first definitions of a "cock-tail" in response to a reader's query: "a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters."

Condition

Good, slightly tanned, minor water staining at top margin, minor scattered foxing. Two pinhead sized hole on page 1-2 resulting in the loss of several letters of text. Dis-bound.