1217. CHERBOURG, Invasion of England from.—
An event seems to be preparing, in the order of things, which will probably decide
the fate of that country [England]. It
is no longer doubtful that the harbor of Cherbourg
will be completed, that it will be a most
excellent one, and capacious enough to hold the
whole navy of France. Nothing has ever been
wanting to enable France to invade that but a
naval force conveniently stationed to protect
the transports. This change of situation must
oblige the English to keep up a great standing
army, and there is no king, who, with sufficient
force, is not always ready to make himself absolute.—
To George Wythe. Washington ed. ii, 8.
Ford ed., iv, 269.
(P.
1786)
