323. ALLIANCE, Suggested French.—
If we can obtain from Great Britain reasonable
conditions of commerce, (which, in my
idea, must forever include an admission into
her [West India] islands,) the first ground
between these two nations would seem to be
the best. But if we can obtain no equal terms
from her, perhaps Congress might think it
prudent, as Holland has done, to connect us
unequivocally with France. Holland has purchased
the protection of France. The price
she pays is aid in time of war. It is interesting
for us to purchase a free commerce with
the French islands. But whether it is best to
pay for it, by aids in war, or by privileges in
commerce, or not to purchase it at all, is the
question.—
Report to Congress. Washington ed. ix, 244.
Ford ed., iv, 130.
(P.
1785)
