6025. OCEAN, Claimed by England.—[continued].
It has now been some
years that I am perfectly satisfied that Great
Britain's intentions have been to claim the
ocean as her conquest, and prohibit any vessel
from navigating it but on such a tribute
as may enable her to keep up such a standing
navy as will maintain her dominion over
it. She has hauled in, or let herself out, been
bold or hesitating, according to occurrences,
but has in no situation done anything which
might amount to a relinquishment of her
intentions.—
To Henry Dearborn. Washington ed. v, 529.
Ford ed., ix, 278.
(M.
1810)
