se, therefore, who have
influence in the new country, would act wisely, to endeavor to keep
things quiet till the western parts of Europe shall be engaged in war.
Notwithstanding the aversion of the courts of London and Versailles to
war, it is not certain that some incident may not engage them in it.
England, France, Spain, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark will all have fleets
at sea, or ready to put to sea immediately. Who can answer for the
prudence of all their officers? War is their interest. Even their courts
are pacific from impotence only, not from disposition. I wish to Heaven
that our new government may see the importance of putting themselves
immediately into a respectable position. To make provision for the
speedy payment of their foreign debts, will be the first operation
necessary. This will give them credit. A concomitant one should be,
magazines and manufactures of arms. This country is at present in a
crisis of very uncertain issue. I am in hopes it will be a favorable one
to the rights and happiness of the people; and that this will take place
quietly. Small changes in the late regulations will render them wholly
good. The campaign opens between the Turks and the two empires, with an
aspect rather favorable to the former. The Russians seem not yet thawed
from the winter's torpitude. They have no army yet in motion: and the
Emperor has been worsted in two thirds of the small actions, which
they have had as yet. He is said to be rather retiring. I do not think,
however, that the success of the Turks in the partisan affairs which
have taken place, can authorize us to presume, that they will be
superior also in great decisions. Their want of discipline and skill in
military manoeuvres is of little consequence in small engagements, and
of great in larger ones. Their grand army was at Adrianople by the last
accounts, and to get from thence to Belgrade will require a month. It
will be that time at least then, before we can have any very interesting
news from them. In the mean time, the plague rages at Constantinople to
a terrible degree. I cannot think but that it would be desirable to all
commercial nations, to have that nation and all its dependencies driven
from the sea-coast, into the interior parts of Asia and Africa. What a
field would, thus be restored to commerce! The finest parts of the old
world are now dead, in a great degree, to commerce, to arts, to science,
and to society. Greece, Syria, Egypt, and the