2644. ENGLAND, Hatred of United States.—[further continued].
A friendly, a just, and a
reasonable conduct on the part of the British
might make us the main pillar of their prosperity
and existence. But their deep-rooted
hatred to us seems to be the means which
Providence permits to lead them to their final
catastrophe. “Nullam enim in terris gentem
esse, nullum infestiorem populum, nomini
Romani,” said the General who erased Capua
from the list of powers. What nourishment
and support would not England receive from
an hundred millions of industrious descendants,
whom some of her people now born will
live to see here? What their energies are,
she has lately tried. And what has she not
to fear from an hundred millions of such men,
if she continues her maniac course of hatred
and hostility to them? I hope in God she will
change.—
To Cæsar A. Rodney. Washington ed. vi, 448.
(M.
March. 1815)
