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Editorial
February 5, 1810
Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
Satirical dialogue portraying a U.S. cabinet conference where the President and secretaries discuss responding to an insult in Jackson's correspondence involving the French Emperor. Advocates for war are countered by concerns over lack of ships, sailors, and cash.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
CABINET CONFERENCE.
Enter President and four Secretaries, solus.
President.—Well gentlemen, you know we have been insulted, grossly insulted.
Mr Giles has done well, as far as he has gone; but he ought to have said more. It is the fault of that gentleman to be too sparing of words. He ought to have touched upon that part of Jackson's correspondence, where he speaks of an honorable and manly opposition to the French Emperor. But we understand it; and what, gentlemen, shall be done?
Secretary of War—Fight 'em, by all means.
Pres.—Very well: I like to see spirit. But what say you, Mr. Secretary of State?
Sec of State—I say go to war: I think we shall prove a match for them. If they make too free use of their powder and ball, we will require in future the written form of fighting. We will then try our skill at proclamations and resolutions; and if nothing else will do, we will interdict communications of every kind.
Pres.—But gentlemen, two of you look a little dissatisfied. I hope we shall all be together satisfied with respect to the insult.
Sec. of Navy.—I confess, sir, I am not altogether satisfied with respect to the insult.
Pres.—Why Sir, did not Jackson make insinuations implying knowledge in the department of
Sec. of Treasury—Not in the Department of State, surely.
Pres.—Come, come, Mr. Treasurer, none of your sneers. You know that with all your sagacity and caution, Mr. Erskine, although very clever, egregiously mistook your meaning:
Sec. of Navy.—To be sure he did not know whether the Treasurer's meaning was direct, or indirect: and I believe that Mr. Erskine is not the first who has been puzzled in that particular.
Pres.—Gentlemen, this is no time for joking—let us come to the point. Mr. Secretary of the Navy, have you any objections to going to war?
Sec. of Navy.—I have two Sir,
Pres.—What are they?
Sec of Navy.—Want of Ships, and want of SAILORS.
Pres.—Have you any, Mr Treasurer?
Sec. of Treasury—I have but one, Sir.
Pres—What can that be?
Sec. of Treasury.—Want of—Cash.
Enter President and four Secretaries, solus.
President.—Well gentlemen, you know we have been insulted, grossly insulted.
Mr Giles has done well, as far as he has gone; but he ought to have said more. It is the fault of that gentleman to be too sparing of words. He ought to have touched upon that part of Jackson's correspondence, where he speaks of an honorable and manly opposition to the French Emperor. But we understand it; and what, gentlemen, shall be done?
Secretary of War—Fight 'em, by all means.
Pres.—Very well: I like to see spirit. But what say you, Mr. Secretary of State?
Sec of State—I say go to war: I think we shall prove a match for them. If they make too free use of their powder and ball, we will require in future the written form of fighting. We will then try our skill at proclamations and resolutions; and if nothing else will do, we will interdict communications of every kind.
Pres.—But gentlemen, two of you look a little dissatisfied. I hope we shall all be together satisfied with respect to the insult.
Sec. of Navy.—I confess, sir, I am not altogether satisfied with respect to the insult.
Pres.—Why Sir, did not Jackson make insinuations implying knowledge in the department of
Sec. of Treasury—Not in the Department of State, surely.
Pres.—Come, come, Mr. Treasurer, none of your sneers. You know that with all your sagacity and caution, Mr. Erskine, although very clever, egregiously mistook your meaning:
Sec. of Navy.—To be sure he did not know whether the Treasurer's meaning was direct, or indirect: and I believe that Mr. Erskine is not the first who has been puzzled in that particular.
Pres.—Gentlemen, this is no time for joking—let us come to the point. Mr. Secretary of the Navy, have you any objections to going to war?
Sec. of Navy.—I have two Sir,
Pres.—What are they?
Sec of Navy.—Want of Ships, and want of SAILORS.
Pres.—Have you any, Mr Treasurer?
Sec. of Treasury—I have but one, Sir.
Pres—What can that be?
Sec. of Treasury.—Want of—Cash.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Foreign Affairs
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Cabinet Conference
Jackson Correspondence
French Emperor
War Preparations
Naval Shortages
Treasury Cash
Erskine Misunderstanding
What entities or persons were involved?
President
Secretary Of War
Secretary Of State
Secretary Of Navy
Secretary Of Treasury
Mr Giles
Jackson
French Emperor
Mr Erskine
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Satirical Cabinet Debate On Responding To Jackson's Insult Regarding French Emperor
Stance / Tone
Satirical Mockery Of War Enthusiasm And Resource Shortages
Key Figures
President
Secretary Of War
Secretary Of State
Secretary Of Navy
Secretary Of Treasury
Mr Giles
Jackson
French Emperor
Mr Erskine
Key Arguments
Gross Insult From Jackson's Correspondence Requires Response
Advocate Fighting The Insulters
Propose War But Shift To Proclamations If Needed
Objection Due To Lack Of Ships And Sailors
Objection Due To Lack Of Cash