T. J.
LETTER CCXIV.--TO ELBRIDGE GERRY, June 21, 1797
TO ELBRIDGE GERRY.
Philadelphia, June 21, 1797.
My Dear Friend,
It was with infinite joy to me, that you were yesterday announced to the
Senate, as Envoy Extraordinary, jointly with General Pinckney and Mr.
Marshall, to the French republic. It gave me certain assurances that
there would be a preponderance in the mission, sincerely disposed to be
at peace with the French government and nation. Peace is undoubtedly
at present the first object of our nation. Interest and honor are also
national considerations. But interest, duly weighed, is in favor of
peace even at the expense of spoliations past and future; and honor
cannot now be an object. The insults and injuries committed on, us by
both the belligerent parties, from, the beginning of 1793 to this day,
and still continuing, cannot now be wiped off by engaging in war
with one of them. As there is great reason to expect this is the last
campaign in Europe, it would certainly be better for us to rub through
this year, as we have done through the four preceding ones, and hope
that, on the restoration of peace, we may be able to establish some plan
for our foreign connections more likely to secure our peace, interest,
and honor, in future. Our countrymen have divided themselves by such
strong affections, to the French and the English, that nothing will
secure us internally but a divorce from both nations; and this must be
the object of every real American, and its attainment is practicable
without much self-denial.
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