The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
FOREIGN RELATIONS / WAR BETWEEN BRITAIN AND FRANCE
We are still uninformed here whether you are again at war. Bonaparte
has produced such a state of things in Europe as it would seem
difficult for him to relinquish in any sensible degree, and equally
dangerous for Great Britain to suffer to go on, especially if
accompanied by maritime preparations on his part. The events which
have taken place in France have lessened in the American mind the
motives of interest which it felt in that revolution, and its amity
towards that country now rests on its love of peace and commerce. We
see, at the same time, with great concern, the position in which Great
Britain is placed, and should be sincerely afflicted were any disaster
to deprive mankind of the benefit of such a bulwark against the
torrent which has for some time been bearing down all before it. But
her power and powers at sea seem to render everything safe in the end.
Peace is our passion, and the wrongs might drive us from it. We prefer
trying ever other just principles, right and safety, before we would
recur to war.
to John Sinclair, 30 June 1803
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