POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL 43 



and the rest all made their voyages suc- 

 cessfully." 



The power to grant permits for foreign 

 trade was a dangerous one to put in the 

 hands of one man, but its exercise was 

 limited, its benefits undeniable, and it ex- 

 cited little opposition. The Act of April 

 25, 1808, however, was so unlimited in its 

 grants, so outrageous in its nature, that even 

 conservative Republicans were shocked 

 and alarmed. By it the President was au- 

 thorized to detain any vessel bound coast- 

 wise, on mere suspicion that she intended 

 to evade the embargo laws. A circular 

 letter 1 was addressed by the President to 



1 Part of a circular letter from President Jefferson to 

 the governors of several states. 



"WASHINGTON, May 6, 1808. 



. . . " Congress, by the Act of April 25, authorized the 

 absolute detention of all vessels bound coastwise with 

 cargoes exciting suspicion of intention to evade the em- 

 bargo laws. There being very few towns on the sea-coast 

 that cannot be supplied from their ulterior country, ship- 

 ments of flour became suspicious and proper subjects for 

 detention. ... I request of your Excellency, whenever 



