3614. HAMILTON (Alexander), Alliance with England.—
Hamilton[at a meeting
of the cabinet] thought that if we were
unequal to the contest[with Spain] ourselves,
it behooved us to provide allies for our aid.
That in this view, two nations could be named,
France and England. France was too intimately
connected with Spain in other points, and of
too great mutual value, ever to separate for
us. * * * England alone, then, remained.
It would not be easy to effect it with her; however,
he was for trying it, and for sounding
them on the proposition of a defensive treaty of
alliance. [229]
The President said the remedy
would be worse than the disease.—
The Anas. Washington ed. ix, 124.
Ford ed., i, 206.
(Oct. 1792)
