His report prepared in 1808 for Mr.Campbell, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations, covered the whole ground of the American argument.
At the outset there seemed good ground for hope of an early agreement.
European politics were at a critical point, and England naturally wished to husband her resources for a sudden emergency.

The mediation of Russia Mr.Gallatin considered a salve to the pride of England.

This reasoning seemed sound enough, but it had not taken account of one important element: the jealousy of England of any outside interference between herself and her ancient dependencies.

Mr.Gallatin did not hold English diplomacy in very high regard.

Late in life he said that the history of the relations of England and France was a story of the triumphs of English arms and of French diplomacy; that England was always victorious, but France had as often negotiated her out of the fruits of success.