University of Virginia Library

6024. OCEAN, Claimed by England.—

I
despair of accommodation with [the British
government], because I believe they are weak
enough to intend seriously to claim the ocean
as their conquest, and think to amuse us with
embassies and negotiations, until the claim
shall have been strengthened by time and exercise,
and the moment arrive when they May
boldly avow what hitherto they have only
squinted at.—
To President Madison. Washington ed. v, 468.
(M. Sep. 1809)