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Washington 19th Nov. 1808 Dear Genl The attempts of our gov't to induce the Belligerent governments? to abandon their unjust measures against neutral rights have proved abortive. In France our embargo has produced no other effect than the degredation of this govt. In England it has been severely felt, and but for the recent events in Spain and Portugal would in all probability have been efficacious. This however is mere conjecture. It is however certain, that our minister at London has great Confidence in its effects, even upon the Supposition that Spain and Portugal will be successful in their struggle for independence. We have a variety of propositions upon our table, equally conflicting with each other, and with the unclear good, in many cases no opinion seems yet to be definitively formed upon the ultimate decision of the gov't upon the great points of Controversy between us and the Belligerent Nations. The President has given no opinion