On the Natural Boundaries of Empires. 11% 
The effect of very small territorial division is unfavorable 
to the tribes of savages. They fight continually, Civilized 
nations have some intervals of peace between their combats. 
Another point of view, in which the structure of the earth 
has an effect on the boundaries of nations, is the nature of 
the soil, whether fertile or otherwise, &c.; but the limits of 
the present essay do not admit of noticing this branch of 
the subject. 
conquests beyond its natural limits. St. Marino, which, 
when invited by the chief consul of France, to round the 
territories of her small republic, refused so tempting an offer, 
Massachusetts, which surrendered the right of sovereignty to 
an extensive dominion, w 
for the consolidation of natural empires. Thus those are 
to be approved which took place for the union of the British 
isles ; for the consolidation of France ; for the establishment 
of the kingdom of i 
Also, all those which are undertaken to reduce large em- 
pires to a natural size, which may however be considered as 
wars for liberty. 
1! others are adverse to the real prosperity of states. 
To some nations, the pomp and magnificence of prepara- 
tion, and the hope of seizing with violence on the possessions 
of others, may lead to combat. But far happier are those, 
who, content with the dominion which Providence has as- 
signed them, use every effort, consistent with true nation 
honor, to avoid the extremity of war. Bree’ 
hey are saved from the dishonor of conquests over na- 
tions inferior in strength—from the crime of exercising do- 
minion over people who wish to be free—from the intoxica- 
tion and false glitter of victory—from the mortification and 
the terror of defeat. 
