To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1807
From Thomas Jefferson
Sunday Feb. 1. 07.
The more I consider the letter of our Ministers in London the more seriously it impresses me.1 I believe the sine qua non we made is that of the nation, and that they would rather go on without a treaty than with one which does not settle this article. Under this dilemma, and at this stage of the business, had we not better take the advice of the Senate? I ask a meeting at 11. oclock tomorrow to consult on this question.2
RC (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers); FC (DLC: Jefferson Papers). RC and FC in Jefferson’s hand. FC marked “Copy.”
2. At a 2 February 1807 cabinet meeting, Jefferson took notes that concluded: “our commrs. are to be immedly. instructed to adhere to their original instructions which made the impressmt a sine quâ non” (Record of Cabinet Meetings, DLC: Jefferson Papers, filed at 5 Mar. 1806.