University of Virginia Library

5843. NEUTRALITY, Impartial.—[continued].

A manly neutrality,
claiming the liberal rights ascribed to that condition
by the very powers at war, was the part
we should have taken, and would, I believe,
have given satisfaction to our allies. If anything
prevents its being a mere English neutrality,
it will be that the penchant of the President
is not that way, and above all, the ardent
spirit of our constituents.—
To James Madison. Washington ed. iii, 557. Ford ed., vi, 251.
(May. 1793)