“I told him that England had no right whatever to infringe on the neutrality of America, or to expect because she (England) supposed herself to have justice on her side in the contest with France, that, of course, the Americans should think the same.  The moment America declared this opinion her neutrality ceased.  ‘Besides,’ said I, ’how can they have the face to make such a declaration when you just now said that their object was universal monopoly, and they longed for an excuse to adopt measures to that end?’ I told him that it showed that all the noise about England’s fighting for the liberties of mankind proved to be but a thirst, a selfish desire for universal monopoly.

“This he said seemed to be the case; he could not deny it.  He was going on to observe something respecting the French decrees when we were interrupted, and I have not been able again to resume the conversation.  I returned to town with him shortly after in his carriage, where, as there were strangers, I could not introduce it again.”

After this follow two long pages giving further reasons for the stand he has taken, which I shall not include, only quoting the following sentences towards the end of the letter:—­

“You will have heard before this arrives of the glorious news from Russia.  Bonaparte is for once defeated, and will probably never again recover from it.

“My regards to Mr. Stuart [Gilbert Stuart].  I feel quite flattered at his remembrance of me.  Tell him that, by coming to England, I know how more justly to appreciate his great merits.  There is really no one in England who equals him.

“Accompanying this are some newspapers, some of Cobbett’s, a man of no principle and a great rascal, yet a man of sense and says many good things.”

I have quoted at length from this letter in order that we may gain a clearer insight into the character of the man.  While in no wise neglecting his main objects in life, he yet could not help taking a deep interest in public affairs.  He was frank and outspoken in his opinions, but courteous withal.  He abhorred hypocrisy and vice and was unsparing in his condemnation of both.  He enjoyed a controversy and was quick to discover the weak points in his opponent’s arguments and to make the most of them.

These characteristics he carried with him through life, becoming, however, broader-minded and more tolerant as he grew in years and experience.

Morse’s father had given him many letters of introduction to eminent men in England.  Most of these he neglected to deliver, pleading in extenuation of his apparent carelessness that he could not spare the time from his artistic studies to fulfill all the duties that would be expected of him in society, and that he also could not afford the expenses necessary to a well-dressed man.

The following note from William Wilberforce explains itself, but there seems to be some confusion of dates, for Morse had just said in his letter of January 1st that he dined at Mr. Wilberforce’s over a week before.