To James Madison from John Melish, 12 November 1814
From John Melish
Philadelphia 12 nov 1814
Dear Sir
Considering the late pretensions, set up by the British Government at Ghent, to be of such A nature as to set aside all the ordinary principles of reasoning, I was of opinion that the best mode of exhibiting their Nature and tendency was to publish A map representing the proposed Boundary, which I have now the honour to enclose, accompanied by the Documents relative to the negotiations, and remarks on the extent of the British pretensions, and the effect they would produce if acceded to.1
Mr Mu[n]roes instructions to the Plenipotentiaries, No 1, is an admirable production;2 and the whole of the Documents are an excellent Commentary on the State of the relations—between this Country and Britain; too valuable to be laid aside Among the Mass of Matter in the newspapers.
The remarks will, I hope, meet approbation. With much respect—I am Sir Your mo: ob hm
John Melish
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. For the British demands, see JM to Congress, 10 Oct. 1814, n. 1. Melish enclosed a copy of his pamphlet entitled The Sine Qua Non: A Map of the United States, Shewing the Boundary Line Proposed by the British Commissioners at Ghent, with the Documents Relative to the Negotiations (Philadelphia, 1814; reproduced without the map as Documents Relative to the Negotiations for Peace between the United States and Great Britain [Philadelphia, 1814; 32097]). His remarks described in detail the extent, population, and value of the lands the British wished to annex, totaling “above 165 millions of acres; Nearly 125 millions of dollars; And 128 thousand inhabitants” (62–63).
2. For the instructions, see JM to Congress, 13 Oct. 1814, n. 1.