While all this is doing, we
are to suppose the chapter of accidents read out, and that nothing can
happen to cut short or disturb his enterprises.
But the Anglomen, it seems, have found out a much safer dependence, than
all these chances of death or disappointment. That is, that we should
first let England plunder us, as she has been doing for years, for fear
Bonaparte should do it; and then ally ourselves with her, and enter into
the war. A conqueror, whose career England could not arrest when aided
by Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Spain, and Portugal, she is now
to destroy, with all these on his side, by the aid of the United States
alone. This, indeed, is making us a mighty people. And what is to be
our security, that when embarked for her in the war, she will not make a
separate peace, and leave us in the lurch? Her good faith! The faith
of a nation of merchants! The _Punica fides_ of modern Carthage! Of the
friend and protectress of Copenhagen! Of the nation who never admitted a
chapter of morality into her political code! And is now boldly avowing,
that whatever power can make hers, is hers of right. Money, and not
morality, is the principle of commerce and commercial nations. But,
in addition to this, the nature of the English government forbids, of
itself, reliance on her engagements; and it is well known she has been
the least faithful to her alliances of any nation of Europe, since
the period of her history wherein she has been distinguished for her
commerce and corruption, that is to say, under the houses of Stuart and
Brunswick.
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