Reviewing at some length what seemed to him important events, he added: "If Mr. Merry should be mistaken as to the meaning of Mr. Jefferson's note, and it should prove that the invitation is designed for him in a public capacity, he trusts that Mr. Jefferson will feel equally that it must be out of his power to accept it, without receiving previously, through the channel of the Secretary of State, the necessary formal assurance of the President's determination to observe toward him those niceties of distinction which have heretofore been shown by the executive government of the United States to the persons who have been accredited as our Majesty's ministers.
"Mr. Merry has the honor to request of Mr. Madison to lay this explanation before the President, and to accompany it with the strongest assurance of his highest respect and consideration."
The Secretary of State, who seems to have been acting as social secretary to Mr. Jefferson, without hesitation replied as follows: "Mr. Madison presents his compliments to Mr. Merry. He has communicated to the President Mr. Merry's note of this morning, and has the honor to remark to him that the President's invitation, being in the style used by him in like cases, had no reference to the points of form which will deprive him of the pleasure of Mr. Merry's company at dinner on Monday next.
"Mr. Madison tenders to Mr. Merry his distinguished consideration."
The friction arising out of this and interlocking incidents was part of the unfortunate train of events which later led up to the war of 1812.] "So much for the rule of the plain people!" said Burr, as he laid the tips of his fingers together contemplatively.
"Yet, Colonel Burr, you are Vice-President under this administration!" broke out Merry.
"One must use agencies and opportunities as they offer. My dear sir, perhaps you do not fully know me. I took this election only in order to be close to the seat of affairs. I am no such rabid adherent to democracy as some may think. You would be startled if I told you that I regard this republic as no more than an experiment. This is a large continent. Take all that Western country--Louisiana--it ought not to be called attached to the United States. At this very moment it is half in rebellion against its constituted authorities. More than once it has been ready to take arms, to march against New Orleans, and to set up a new country of its own. It is geography which fights for monarchy, against democracy, on this continent--in spite of what all these people say."
"Sir," said the British minister, "you have been a student of affairs."