258. ALEXANDER OF RUSSIA, Friendliness to U. S.—
Of Alexander's sense
of the merits of our form of government, of its
wholesome operation on the condition of the
people, and of the interest he takes in the
success of our experiment, we possess the most
unquestionable proofs; and to him we shall be
indebted if the rights of neutrals, to be settled
whenever peace is made, shall be extended
beyond the present belligerents; that is to say,
European neutrals, as George and Napoleon, of
mutual consent and common hatred against
us, would concur in excluding us. I thought
it a salutary measure to engage the powerful patronage
of Alexander at conferences for peace,
at a time when Bonaparte was courting him;
and although circumstances have lessened its
weight, yet it is prudent for us to cherish his
good dispositions, as those alone which will
be exerted in our favor when that occasion
shall occur. He, like ourselves, sees and feels
the atrociousness of both the belligerents.—
To William Duane. Washington ed. v, 553.
Ford ed., ix, 287.
(M.
Nov. 1810)
