8718. UNITED STATES, Slanders on.—
Nations, like individuals, wish to enjoy a
fair reputation. It is, therefore, desirable for
us that the slanders on our country, disseminated
by hired or prejudiced travellers,
should be corrected; but politics, like religion,
holds up the torches of martyrdom to the
reformers of error. Nor is it in the theatre
of Ephesus alone that tumults have been excited
when the crafts were in danger. You
must be cautious, therefore, in telling unacceptable
truths beyond the water.—
To Mr. Ogilvie. Washington ed. v, 605.
(M.
1811)
