8532. TREATIES, Embarrassing.—[continued].
Our system is to have no treaties with any nation, as far as can be
avoided. The treaty with England has, therefore,
not been renewed, and all overtures for
treaty with other nations have been declined.
We believe, that with nations as with individuals,
dealings may be carried on as advantageously,
perhaps more so, while their continuance
depends on a voluntary good treatment,
as if fixed by a contract, which, when
it becomes injurious to either, is made, by
forced constructions, to mean what suits
them, and becomes a cause of war instead of
a bond of peace.—
To Philip Mazzei. Washington ed. iv, 552.
(W.
1804)
