University of Virginia Library

8935. WAR, Unity in.—

It is our duty
still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall
actually take place, no matter by whom
brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our
house be on fire, without inquiring whether
it was fired from within or without, we must
try to extinguish it. In that, I have no doubt,
we shall act as one man.—
To James Lewis, Jr. Washington ed. iv, 241. Ford ed., vii, 250.
(Pa., May. 1798)