University of Virginia Library

8417. TERRITORY, Seizure.—[continued].

You have thought it advisable
sooner to take possession of adjacent territories. But we know that they are ours
the first moment that any war is forced upon
us for other causes, that we are at hand to
anticipate their possession, if attempted by
any other power, and, in the meantime, we
are lengthening the term of our prosperity,
liberating our revenues, and increasing our
power.—
To General Armstrong. Washington ed. v, 433.
(W. March. 1809)