2638. ENGLAND, Growth of United States and.—
Have you no statesmen who can
look forward two or three score years? It
is but forty years since the battle of Lexington.
One-third of those now living saw that
day, when we were about two millions of people,
and have lived to see this, when we are
ten millions. One-third of those now living
who see us at ten millions, will live another
forty years, and see us forty millions; and
looking forward only through such a portion
of time as has passed since you and I were
scanning Virgil together (which I believe
is near three score years), we shall be seen to
have a population of eighty millions, and of
not more than double the average density of
the present. What may not such a people be
worth to England as customers and friends?
And what might she not apprehend from
such a nation as enemies?—
To James Maury. Washington ed. vi, 467.
(M.
1815)
