University of Virginia Library

299. ALLIANCE, Deprecated.—

I sincerely
deplore the situation of our affairs with
France. War with them, and consequent alliance
with Great Britain, will completely
compass the object of the Executive council,
from the commencement of the war between
France and England; taken up by some of
them from that moment, by others, more latterly.
I still, however, hope it will be avoided.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iv, 162. Ford ed., vii, 108.
(M. Jan. 1797)