bject of Russia in these
advances has been to force a channel for trade, which in her present
situation she is to the south of her extensive empire nearly deprived
of. Notwithstanding the outcry which has so often been raised against
the Russian empire, it has always appeared to me that _our natural ally_
is Russia; as for an alliance with France it is morally impossible that
two rival nations like us can continue very long at peace; our interests
are separate and conflicting, and our jealousy but sleeps for the
moment. We have been at peace with France many years, and have not yet
succeeded in making a satisfactory commercial treaty with her; neither
will any of the other Continental powers permit our manufactures to
enter, with the exception of Russia, who not only takes them, but
returns to us what is most valuable for our marine.

Why, then, this outcry against the ambition of Russia? nothing but
tirades against _Russian_ ambition. Does France show no ambition? Does
America show no ambition? Have we no ambition ourselves? Why this
constant suspicion and doubt against a power whose interest it is to be
closely allied to us, and who can always prove a valuable aid in case of
emergency?--simply because Russia wishes to have an opening to the Black
Sea. And this is very natural; her northern ports are closed nine
months in the year, and therefore her navy and mercantile marine are
almost useless. She has no outlet, no means of raising either. Does
she, then, ask too much? Is a great empire like Russia to be blocked
up, her commerce and navy crippled, for the want of an outlet? She does
require the opening of the Black Sea; it is all that she requires. She
never will remain quiet until she obtains it; and obtain it sooner or
later she certainly will; and in my opinion she is perfectly justified
in her attempts. What would be the consequence if she succeeded?--that,
if we were wise enough to continue on terms of amity with Russia, who
has invariably extended the hand of friendship to us, and has I believe
never failed in her treaties, we should have a balance of power to us
very important. Whose navies shall we in future have to contend
against?--those of France and America; for it is certain that whenever
we go to war with France, America will back her, and their navies will
be united. At present, the navy of America is not very large, but it
can soon be made so; and we should not be sorry to have the navy