Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2Jefferson, Thomas
History
Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 2
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
I have analyzed these declarations, because, being somewhat wrapped up
in their expressions, their full import might escape, on a transient
reading; and it is necessary it should not escape. It conveys to us the
important lesson, that no circumstances of morality, honor, interest, or
engagement, are sufficient to authorize a secure reliance on any nation,
at all times, and in all positions. A moment of difficulty, or a moment
of error, may render for ever useless the most friendly dispositions
in the King, in the major part of his ministers, and the whole of his
nation. The present pacification is considered by most, as only a short
truce. They calculate on the spirit of the nation, and not on the aged
hand which guides its movements. It is certain, that from this moment
the whole system of Europe changes. Instead of counting together
England, Austria, and Russia, as heretofore, against France, Spain,
Holland, Prussia, and Turkey, the division will probably be, England,
Holland, and Prussia, against France, Austria, Russia, and perhaps
Spain. This last power is not sure, because the dispositions of its heir
apparent are not sure. But whether the present be truce or peace, it
will allow time to mature the conditions of the alliance between France
and the two empires, always supposed to be on the carpet. It is thought
to be obstructed by the avidity of the Emperor, who would swallow a good
part of Turkey, Silesia, Bavaria, and the rights of the Germanic body.
To the two or three first articles, France might consent, receiving in
gratification a well rounded portion of the Austrian Netherlands, with
the islands of Candia, Cyprus, Rhodes, and perhaps Lower Egypt. But
all this is in embryo, uncertainly known, and counterworked by the
machinations of the courts of London and Berlin. The following solution
of the British armaments is supposed in a letter of the 25th ultimo,
from Colonel Blachden of Connecticut, now at Dunkirk, to the Marquis
de la Fayette. I will cite it in his own words. “A gentleman who left
London two days ago, and came to this place to-day, informs me that
it is now generally supposed that Mr. Pitt’s great secret, which has
puzzled the whole nation so long, and to accomplish which design, the
whole force of the nation is armed, is to make a vigorous effort for
the recovery of America. When I recollect the delay they have made in
delivering the forts in America, and that little more than a year ago,
one of the British ministry wrote to the King a letter, in which were
these remarkable words, ‘If your Majesty pleases, America may yet be
yours;’ add to this, if it were possible for the present ministry in
England to effect such a matter, they would secure their places and
their power for a long time, and should they fail in the end, they would
be certain of holding them during the attempt, which it is in their
power to prolong as much as they please, and at all events, they would
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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