The last advices from America bring
us nothing interesting. A principal object of my journey to London was,
to enter into commercial arrangements with Portugal. This has been done
almost in the precise terms of those of Prussia. The English are still
our enemies. The spirit existing there, and rising in America, has
a very lowering aspect. To what events it may give birth, I cannot
foresee. We are young, and can survive them; but their rotten machine
must crush under the trial. The animosities of sovereigns are temporary,
and may be allayed: but those which seize the whole body of a people,
and of a people, too, who dictate their own measures, produce calamities
of long duration. I shall not wonder to see the scenes of ancient Rome
and Carthage renewed in our day; and if not pursued to the same issue,
it may be, because the republic of modern powers will not permit the
extinction of any one of its members. Peace and friendship with all
mankind is our wisest policy: and I wish we may be permitted to pursue
it. But the temper and folly of our enemies may not leave this in our
choice.
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