Foreign Commerce. 65 
I hope that no apology is necessary for 
having dwelt so much on the subject of war. 
That ambition, whether of individuals or of 
nations, from which it most frequently arises, 
is a mean and a vicious sentiment. But the 
strictest system of self-defence is the only 
species of war to which I have directed any 
portion of your attention ; and independently 
even of this, we may consider the points now 
adverted to, as affording a profitable subject 
for discussion, which have, in some instances, 
been too much overlooked; and in others, 
subjected to too hasty decision. 
