Report, In Part, Of The Committee Appointed On So Much Of The President’s Message As Respects Our Foreign Relations. November 22, 1808…

Pamphlet 8vo, paperbound 16 pp. Partially disbound, but still in tact. Normal aging and browning, with some chips and folds at the extremities. Also, slight fold at the center, and early owner’s signature on title page. About very good. Very interesting pamphlet prepared during the Madison administration that takes a look at the challenges facing a new country. For the most part the report addresses the belligerent acts of England and France prior to the War of 1812. The report also challenges the legality of the British blockade and the taking of our ships on the high seas. Importantly, it points out that France is no better than the English in this respect, and that it would be hard to justify war against one without the same treatment of the other. However, the authors were also very realistic about going to war with both England and France who were "two of the most powerful [nations] in the world". The report recommends that we not submit to French and English legal rationalizations for their actions, and that we not allow their ships into our ports. Wisely, it also suggests we improve our defenses. The OCLC seems to locate only a couple of copies. OCLC.