2610. ENEMY GOODS, Right to seize.—[continued].
I believe I may safely
affirm * * * that France is the gainer,
and we the loser by the principle of our treaty.
Indeed, we are the losers in every direction of
that principle; for when it works in our favor,
it is to save the goods of our friends; when
it works against us, it is to lose our own;
and we shall continue to lose while the rule
is only partially established. When we shall
have established it with all nations, we shall
be in a condition neither to gain nor lose,
but shall be less exposed to vexatious searches
at sea. To this condition we are endeavoring
to advance; but as it depends on the
will of other nations as well as our own, we
can only obtain it when they shall be ready to
concur.—
To E. C. Genet. Washington ed. iv, 25.
Ford ed., vi, 357.
(Pa.,
July. 1793)
See Free Ships, Free Goods.
