5780. NAVY, Navigation and.—
[Our
navigation] will require a protecting force
on the sea. Otherwise the smallest power
in Europe, every one which possesses a single
ship of the line, may dictate to us, and enforce
their demands by captures on our com
merce. Some naval force then is necessary
if we mean to be commercial. Can we have a
better occasion of beginning one? or find a
foe
[354]
more certainly within our dimensions?
The motives pleading for war rather than
tribute are numerous and honorable, those
opposing them are mean and short-sighted.—
To James Monroe.
Ford ed., iv, 32.
(P.
1785)
