But I am quite at
a loss on what ground the letter-writer can question the opinion, that
France had no intention of making war on us, and was willing to treat
with Mr. Gerry, when we have this from Talleyrand's letter, and from the
written and verbal information of our Envoys. It is true then, that,
as with England, we might of right have chosen either war or peace, and
have chosen peace, and prudently in my opinion, so with France, we might
also of right have chosen either peace or war, and we have chosen war.
Whether the choice may be a popular one in the other States, I know not.
Here it certainly is not; and I have no doubt the whole American people
will rally ere long to the same sentiment, and re-judge those, who, at
present, think they have all judgment in their own hands.
These observations will show you how far the imputations in the
paragraph sent me approach the truth. Yet they are not intended for a
newspaper. At a very early period of my life, I determined never to
put a sentence into any newspaper. I have religiously adhered to the
resolution through my life, and have great reason to be contented with
it. Were I to undertake to answer the calumnies of the newspapers, it
would be more than all my own time and that of twenty aids could effect.
For while I should be answering one, twenty new ones would be invented.
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