3305. FRIENDSHIP WITH ENGLAND, Influence of George III.—
Circumstances
have nourished between our kindred
countries angry dispositions which both
ought long since to have banished from their
bosoms. I have ever considered a cordial affection
as the first interest of both. No nation
on earth can hurt us so much as yours, none
be more useful to you than ours. The obstacle,
we have believed, was in the obstinate and
unforgiving temper of your late King, and
a continuance of his prejudices kept up from
habit, after he was withdrawn from power.
I hope I now see symptoms of sounder views
in your government; in which I know it will
be cordially met by ours, as it would have
been by every administration which has existed
under our present Constitution. None
desired it more cordially than myself, whatever
different opinions were impressed on
your government by a party who wishes to
have its weight in their scale as its exclusive
friends.—
To Mr. Roscoe. Washington ed. vii, 196.
(M.
1820)
