But Mr.Jefferson could not bring his mind to any more decisive measure, indeed, it may justly be said, to any measure whatever.

Taking advantage of Mr.Madison's election to the presidency, he simply withdrew from the triumvirate, and, passing over the subject in silence in his last message, he ignominiously left to Mr.Madison and Mr.Gallatin the entire responsibility which the threatening state of the foreign relations of the country imposed on the Republican party.
The question was now between the enforcement of the Embargo Act and war.
To take off the embargo seemed a declaration of weakness.

To add to it a non-importation clause was the only alternative.

In November, 1808, Mr.
Gallatin prepared for George W.Campbell, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the House, the declaration known as Campbell's report, which recited, in clear, compact form, the injuries done to the United States by Great Britain, and closed with resolutions to the effect that the United States could not submit to the edicts of Great Britain and France, and with a recommendation of non-intercourse and for placing of the country in a state of defense.

After long debate the resolutions were adopted by large majorities, and the policy of resistance was finally determined upon--resistance, not war.