University of Virginia Library

3285. FRIENDSHIP, False nationa.—

No circumstances of morality, honor, in
terest, or engagement are sufficient to authorize
a secure reliance on any nation, at all
times, and in all positions. A moment of
difficulty, or a moment of error, may render
forever useless the most friendly dispositions
in the King, in the major part of his ministers,
and the whole of his nation.—
To John Jay. Washington ed. ii, 304.
(P. 1787)