JET. 34.] OF THE ORDERS IN COUNCIL. 37 



repeal will set everything right ; but it is just possible 

 that as we were foolish enough to expose our depend- 

 ence by our evidence, the Americans may think this 

 an opportunity to force other conditions upon us, or 

 at least to make the experiment before they give way. 

 The known weakness of the Government, the pressure 

 of the insurgent manufacturers, the supposed, and I 

 fear real, dependence of the Peninsula for food, are 

 temptations which may catch them ; and I fear that 

 the eagerness with which our people have shipped 

 will increase this temptation. The Americans will 

 think that we shall be obliged to gain admittance for 

 our shipments at any price ; and this is a point in 

 which they can bear a little hesitation better than we 

 can. The satisfaction expressed by Opposition on the 

 other hand, and their promise of resistance in case of 

 further encroachment, will be of great service ; and, 

 upon the whole, my hopes preponderate over my fears. 

 Much, indeed everything, will depend on able and 

 skilful negotiation ; it is a great point to get the ship- 

 ments admitted, but still more essential to make no 

 extravagant sacrifice for it. I fear our instrument 

 for this purpose is very unequal to the task, and the 

 Cabinet here not likely to make a fit choice, should 

 they make any change. 



" I should think that the best course for you to 

 take, if I may advise, would be to recommend to your 

 friends the manufacturers to show a disposition to 

 support Government in resisting unreasonable en- 

 croachments ; taking care to watch their confidence, 

 that it does not encourage them to be unreasonable in 

 their turn. The manufacturers may rely upon it that 

 their interest will be better answered permanently by 



