He indulged himself, in a repetition of nearly the same passionate language, and again spoke, with extreme harshness, of the conduct of the executive.

He persisted in refusing to make any engagements for the detention of the vessel; and, after his rage had in some degree spent itself, he entreated that no attempt might be made to take possession of her, as her crew was on board, and force would be repelled by force.
He then also said that she was not ready to sail immediately.

She would change her position, and fall down the river a small distance on that day; but was not yet ready to sail.
In communicating this conversation to Governor Mifflin, Mr.Jefferson stated his conviction that the privateer would remain in the river until the President should decide on her case; in consequence of which, the governor dismissed the militia, and requested the advice of the heads of departments on the course which it would be proper for him to pursue.

Both the governor and Mr.Jefferson stated, that in reporting the conversation between Mr.Genet and himself, Mr.Dallas had said that Mr.Genet threatened, in express terms, "to appeal from the President to the people." Thus braved and insulted in the very heart of the American empire, the secretaries of the treasury, and of war, were of opinion that it was expedient to take immediate provisional measures for establishing a battery on Mud Island, under cover of a party of militia, with directions, that if the vessel should attempt to depart before the pleasure of the President should be known concerning her, military coercion should be employed to arrest her progress.
The secretary of state dissenting from this opinion, the measure was not adopted.

The vessel fell down to Chester before the arrival of the President, and sailed on her cruise before the power of the government could be interposed.
On the 11th of July the President reached Philadelphia, and requested that his cabinet ministers would convene at his house the next day at nine in the morning.
Among the papers placed in his hands by the secretary of state, which required immediate attention, were those which related to the Little Democrat.