5862. NEUTRALITY, Preserving.—[further continued] .
No country, perhaps,
was ever so thoroughly against war as ours.
These dispositions pervade every description
of its citizens, whether in or out of office.
They cannot, perhaps, suppress their affections,
nor their wishes. But they will suppress the
effects of them so as to preserve a fair neutrality.
Indeed we shall be more useful as neutrals
than as parties, by the protection which
our flag will give to supplies of provisions. In
this spirit let all your assurances be given to
the government [of France].—
To Gouverneur Morris.
Ford ed., vi, 217.
(Pa.,
April. 1793)
