Whereas, the good will of the government itself would give
them, and immediately, every benefit which reason or justice would
permit it to give. With respect to myself, I saw great reason to believe
their ministers were weak enough to credit the newspaper trash about a
supposed personal enmity in myself towards England. This wretched party
imputation was beneath the notice of wise men. England never did me a
personal injury, other than in open war, and for numerous individuals
there, I have great esteem and friendship. And I must have had a
mind far below the duties of my station, to have felt either national
partialities or antipathies in conducting the affairs confided to me. My
affections were first for my own country, and then, generally, for all
mankind; and nothing but minds placing themselves above the passions, in
the functionaries of this country, could have preserved us from the
war to which their provocations have been constantly urging us. The
war interests in England include a numerous and wealthy part of their
population; and their influence is deemed worth courting by ministers
wishing to keep their places. Continually endangered by a powerful
opposition, they find it convenient to humor the popular passions at the
expense of the public good. The shipping interest, commercial interest,
and their janizaries of the navy, all fattening on war, will not be
neglected by ministers of ordinary minds.
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