3150. FRANCE, Injuries by.—
Nobody
denies but that France has given just cause
of war, but so has Great Britain, and she
is now capturing our vessels as much as
France, but the question was one merely of
prudence, whether seeing that both powers in
order to injure one another, bear down
everything in their way, without regard to
the rights of others, spoliating equally
Danes, Swedes and Americans, it would not
be more prudent in us to bear with it as the
Danes and Swedes do, curtailing our commerce,
and waiting for the moment of peace,
when it is probable both nations would for
their own interest and honor retribute for
their wrongs.—
To Archibald Stuart.
Ford ed., vii, 270.
(Pa.,
June. 1798)
