8567. TREATIES OF COMMERCE, British.—[further continued] .
I am quite at a loss
what you will do with England. To leave her
in possession of our posts, seems inadmissible;
and yet to take them, brings on a state of things
for which we seem not to be in readiness. Perhaps
a total suppression of her trade, or an exclusion
of her vessels from the carriage of our
produce, may have some effect; but I believe
not very great. Their passions are too deeply
and too universally engaged in opposition to
us. The ministry have found means to persuade
the nation that they are richer than they
were while we participated of their commercial
privileges. We should try to turn our trade
into other channels. I am in hopes this country
[France] will endeavor to give it more encouragement.—
To Elbridge Gerry. Washington ed. i, 557.
(P.
1786)
