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P. E. THOMAS TO WORTHINGTON

Balto 4 Mo 12 1812

My dear friend

Since the date of my last letter to thee in reply to thy favour of the 8th a very material change has taken place in the public expectation relative to the repeal or suspension of the non-importation law -- From some invisible and unknown cause a vast revolution has apparently occured in the views of the members of the House of Reps; on the first motion to suspend indefinitely, there were only 26 affirmative, & the very next day upon the same motion the number had increased to 50;

I am altogether at a loss to conjecture, whence comes this estraordinary & sudden change of opinion. Whilst the Government relyed exclusively upon the non-i.iportation law as a mean of coeroing G. B. to take of the orders in Council, the permiting American merchants to bring home property from England, might possible have been attended with bad effects, especially as it was believed that the Prince Regent would upon coming into Power, modify or repeal the orders in Council; in this latter opinion we have however been disappointed, and I am inclined to fear, that the effect which every body expected the non- importation act to produce upon the English manufactures, will not be realised, but it should be remembered, that one very material, and important reason is, the introduction of immense quantities of British Goods into France, and indeed throughout the Continent of Europe; of the truth of this fact, I have not the shadow of a doubt, the extensive shipments which are constantly making from London & other Ports, together with the increased demand for Goods in England, is proof conclusive of it. This being the case, it cannot be sound policy in our Government to refuse permission to those Citizens who have property in G.B. to bring it home, nor is it just that they should be prevented, as a great amount was laying there before the issuing of the Proclamation & has ever since been detained.

The benefit that would result both to the Government & Citizens from admiting this property is obvious, altho I have extended my letter to a length which I fear will be tedious I must call thy attention to one other fact; the Emperor of France has lately (on March 1812!) issued 58 licenses to British Vessels to i port Colonial produce &c into France, that is to say he has placed England precisely on the same footing that he has America

Knowing as I do, that thy time is already constantly occupied I really feel reluctant to intrude upon it, but I shall be greatly obliged by receiving thy opinion of what will be the probable result of this, to me, deeply inter- esting subject -- for as I have formerly observed allmost all I have is at issue

I am with great sincerity Thy friend

P E Thomas

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