The misfortune is, that in the mean time, we shall plunge
ourselves into inextinguishable debt, and entail on our posterity an
inheritance of eternal taxes, which will bring our government and people
into the condition of those of England, a nation of pikes and gudgeons,
the latter bred merely as food for the former. But, however these two
difficulties of men and money may be disposed of, it is fortunate that
neither of them will affect our war by sea. Privateers will find their
own men and money. Let nothing be spared to encourage them. They are the
dagger which strikes at the heart of the enemy, their commerce. Frigates
and seventy-fours are a sacrifice we must make, heavy as it is, to the
prejudices of a part of our citizens. They have, indeed, rendered a
great moral service, which has delighted me as much as any one in the
United States. But they have had no physical effect sensible to the
enemy; and now, while we must fortify them in our harbors, and keep
armies to defend them, our privateers are bearding and blockading the
enemy in their own sea-ports. Encourage them to burn all their prizes,
and let the public pay for them. They will cheat us enormously. No
matter; they will make the merchants of England feel, and squeal, and
cry out for peace.
I much regretted your acceptance of the war department. Not that I know
a person who I think would better conduct it. But, conduct it ever so
wisely, it will be a sacrifice of yourself.
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