6737. POLITICS, Knowledge of European.—
I often doubt whether I should
trouble Congress or my friends with * * *
details of European politics. I know they do
not excite that interest in America of which
it is impossible for one to divest himself
here. I know, too, that it is a maxim with
us, and I think it a wise one, not to entangle
ourselves with the affairs of Europe.
Still, I think we should know them. The
Turks have practiced the same maxim of not
meddling in the complicated wrangles of this
continent. But they have unwisely chosen to
be ignorant of them also, and it is this total
ignorance of Europe, its combinations, and
its movements which exposes them to that
annihilation possibly about taking place.
While there are powers in Europe which fear
our views, or have views on us, we should
keep an eye on them, their connections and
oppositions, that in a moment of need we
may avail ourselves of their weakness with
respect to others as well as ourselves, and
calculate their designs and movements on all
the circumstances under which they exist.
Though I am persuaded, therefore, that these
details are read by many with great indifference,
yet I think it my duty to enter into
them, and to run the risk of giving too
much, rather than too little information.—
To E. Carrington. Washington ed. ii, 334.
Ford ed., iv, 482.
(P.
1787)
