But I do not gather that he thought that this carried any very great moral reprehensibility.
"He said that he wouldn't do anything with the retaliatory act till after election lest it might seem that he was playing politics.

But he hinted that if there were continued provocation afterward (in case he were elected) he would.

He added that one of the worst provocations was the long English delay in answering our Notes.

Was this delay due to fear or shame?
He evidently felt that such a delay showed contempt.

He spoke of the Bryan treaty[48].