University of Virginia Library

5876. NEUTRALITY, Rights.—[continued].

It would indeed be advantageous
to us to have neutral rights established
on a broad ground; but no dependence
can be placed in any European coalition for
that. They have so many other bye-interests
of greater weight, that some one or other will
always be bought off. To be entangled with
them would be a much greater evil than a
temporary acquiescence in the false principles
which have prevailed.—
To William Short. Washington ed. iv, 414. Ford ed., viii, 98.
(W. 1801)