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342. AMERICA, Europe and.—[continued].

Nothing is so important
as that America shall separate herself from
the systems of Europe, and establish one of
her own. Our circumstances, our pursuits,
our interests, are distinct; the principles of
our policy should be so also. All entanglements
with that quarter of the globe should
be avoided if we mean that peace and justice
shall be the polar stars of the American societies.
* * * It would be a leading principle
with me had I longer to live.—
To J. Correa De Serra. Washington ed. vii, 184. Ford ed., x, 164.
(M. Oct. 1820)

See Policy.