University of Virginia Library

8702. UNITED STATES, European powers and.—

While there are powers in Europe
which fear our views, or have views
on us, we should keep an eye on them, their
connections and oppositions, that in a moment
of need we may avail ourselves of their weakness
with respect to others as well as ourselves,
and calculate their designs and movements
on all the circumstances under which
they exist.—
To E. Carrington. Washington ed. ii, 335. Ford ed., iv, 483.
(P. 1787)