7492. REVOLUTION (American), Resources of.—
The main confidence of the Colonies
was in their own resources. They considered
foreign aid as probable and desirable, but not essential. I believe myself, from the
whole of what I have seen of our resources and
perseverance, 1, that had we never received any
foreign aid, we should not have obtained our
independence; but that we should have made a
peace with Great Britain on any terms we
pleased, short of that, which would have been
a subjection to the same king, a union of force
in war, &c. 2. That had France supplied us
plentifully with money, suppose about four millions
of guineas a year, without entering into
the war herself at all, we should have established
our Independence; but it would have
cost more time, and blood, but less money.
3. That France, aiding us as she did, with
money and forces, shortened much the time,
lessened the expense of blood, but at a greater
expense of money to her than would have otherwise
been requisite.—
Notes on M. Soules's Work. Washington ed. ix, 297.
Ford ed., iv, 305.
(P.
1786)
