3311. FRIENDSHIP WITH ENGLAND, Sacrifices for.—
There is not a nation
on the globe with whom I have more
earnestly wished a friendly intercourse on
equal conditions. On no other would I hold
out the hand of friendship to any. I know
that their creatures represent me as personally
an enemy to England. But fools only
can believe this, or those who think me a
fool. I am an enemy to her insults and injuries.
I am an enemy to the flagitious principles
of her administration, and to those which
govern her conduct towards other nations.
But would she give to morality some place
in her political code, and especially should
she exercise decency, and at least neutral
passions towards us, there is not, I repeat
it, a people on earth with whom I would sacrifice
so much to be in friendship.—
To CÆSAR A. Rodney. Washington ed. vi, 449.
(M.
March. 1815)
