7054. PROPERTY, Restoration.—
I am
not fond of encouraging an intercourse with
the enemy for the recovery of property; however,
I shall not forbid it while conducted on
principles which are fair and general. If the
British commander chooses to discriminate
between the several species of property taken
from the people; if he chooses to say he will
restore all of one kind, and retain all of an
other, I am contented that individuals shall
avail themselves of this discrimination; but
no distinctions of persons must be admitted.
The moment it is proposed that the same
species of property shall be restored to one
which is refused to another, let every application
to him for restitution be prohibited.
The principles by which his discrimination
would be governed are but too obvious, and
they are the reverse of what we should approve.—
To Colonel John Nicholas.
Ford ed., ii, 409.
(1781)
