University of Virginia Library

1418. COMMERCE, Protection of.—

If we wish our commerce to be free and uninsulted,
we must let [the European] nations
see that we have an energy which at present
they disbelieve. The low opinion they entertain
of our powers, cannot fail to involve us
soon in a naval war.—
To John Page. Washington ed. i, 401.
(P. 1785)