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P. E. THOMAS TO WORTHINGTON

Balto 2 Mo 7 1812

My dear friend

Thy esteemed favour of yesterday enclosing two letters for thy daughters was duly recd. and these handed to them. Th are both well & in good spirits

I feel under very great obligations for the highly important information which thee has communicated to me, and most sincerely do I hope it may be realised. My own opinion has constantly been, that G.B. would, provided a firm attitude was produced on this side of the water, ultimately be induced to come upon terms with us, the fact is the trade of the U.S. is indispensable to her. On the one hand she would find great difficulty in supporting her armies in the Peninsula without supplies from here, and on the other, one half of her manufactures would be reduced to Bankruptcy were the totally cut off this market, and as I on a former occasion remarked to thee, it is still my opinion, that the present posture of this country is more embarrassing to the British Government than a war, as the clamours of her own people must and will reach the Throne, if they are not inflamed against us by a war.

The large amount of funds which I have in England cannot but excite in my mind the liveliest interest on the subject of our relations with her, and if any thing comes to thy knowledge which it will be proper to disclose, I shall be greatly obliged for it. I need not tell thee that whatever is communicated will be considered as confidential

I am sincerely, in haste, with all due respect to thyself & family Thy friend

P. E. Thomas

a settlement with G. B. would at once strangle all those scandalous intrigues which have been carried on with regard to the next Presidency