nation has called on them to correct. I hope, therefore,
they will come to just arrangements. No two countries upon earth have so
many points of common interest and friendship; and their rulers must
be great bunglers indeed, if, with such dispositions, they break them
asunder. The only rivalry that can arise, is on the ocean. England
may by petty larceny thwartings check us on that element a little, but
nothing she can do will retard us there one year's growth. We shall be
supported there by other nations, and thrown into their scale to make a
part of the great counterpoise to her navy. If, on the other hand, she
is just to us, conciliatory, and encourages the sentiment of family
feelings and conduct, it cannot fail to befriend the security of both.
We have the seamen and materials for fifty ships of the line, and half
that number of frigates, and were France to give us the money, and
England the dispositions to equip them, they would give to England
serious proofs of the stock from which they are sprung, and the
school in which they have been taught, and added to the efforts of the
immensity of sea-coast lately united under one power, would leave the
state of the ocean no longer problematical. Were, on the other hand,
England to give the money, and France the dispositions to place us
on the sea in all our force, the whole world, out of the continent
of Europe, might be our joint monopoly. We wish for neither of these
scenes. We ask for peace and justice from all nations, and we will
remain uprightly neutral in fact, though leaning in belief to the
opinion that an English ascendancy on the ocean is safer for us than
that of France. We begin to broach the idea that we consider the whole
Gulf Stream as of our waters, in which hostilities and cruising are to
be frowned on for the present, and prohibited so soon as either consent
or force will permit us. We shall never permit another privateer to
cruise within it, and shall forbid our harbors to national cruisers.
This is essential for our tranquillity and commerce. Be so good as to
have the enclosed letters delivered, to present me to your family, and
be assured yourself of my unalterable friendship.

For fear of accidents I shall not make the unnecessary addition of my
name.

LETTER XXXII.--TO GENERAL SMITH, May 4,1806

TO GENERAL SMITH.

Washington, May 4,1806.

Dear Sir,

I received your favor covering some papers from General Wilkinson. I
have repented