University of Virginia Library

8870. WAR, Avoidance of.—[further continued] .

It is much to be desired
that war may be avoided, if circumstances will
admit. Nor in the present maniac state of
Europe, should I estimate the point of honor
by the ordinary scale. I believe we shall on
the contrary, have credit with the world, for
having made the avoidance of being engaged
in the present unexampled war, our first object.—
To President Madison. Washington ed. v, 438.
(M. March. 1809)