1 14 On W A R, 
rice and ambition lurk fecretly in many a good heart, which 
would throw blufhes into the cheek, were it fenfible of the 
weaknefs. To form a right judgment of this fu bje<ft, we muft 
mix the sagacity of the fox, with the gentleness of the 
lamb, and add the strength and resolution of the lion, but 
not his fierceness. 
But will our fuperiority in naval flrength ; will our numbers 
in America, induce France to fubmit? Will fo proud, fo pow- 
erful, fo active, fo fkilful a nation, give up a point of fuch vaft 
importance, without a ftruggle ? There is this in favor of the 
opinion, fhe may acquiefce at this time, that her fuhmijlion 
will give her an increase of power, to make provifton for a 
future day, when lucifer fhall again tempt her to difturb 
the repofe of mankind by her encroachments. 
You will hear many depreciate the power of France, and 
accufe thofe of having french hearts, who fpeak with fome 
refpecft of her ftrength at fea. It is very happy for us, at this 
time, that it is not greater ; and yet, if we conhder, that fhe 
probably will abandon her merchants for a time, and collect 
her force to direct it all at one point, whilft we muft divide 
and fubdivide fome portion of ours, as we cannot tell where 
the blow may be directed, the superiority on our part be- 
comes fo much the less. 
Granting that both nations prepare for war, it does not ap- 
pear that either desire it, as an eligible thing, at this time. 
To commercial nations it is never eligible ; for whilft it 
confumes their blood and treafure, it ftrikes at the root 
of their greatnefs. It is our duty to ourfelves, to bring 
3 things 
