We have an enemy who is
watching to destroy our reputation, and who will go any length to gain
some evidence against us, that may serve to render our conduct
suspected, and our character odious; because, could she accomplish
this, wicked as it is, the world would withdraw from us, as from a
people not to be trusted, and our task would then become difficult.
There is nothing which sets the character of a nation in a higher or
lower light with others, than the faithfully fulfilling, or
perfidiously breaking, of treaties. They are things not to be tampered
with: and should Britain, which seems very probable, propose to seduce
America into such an act of baseness, it would merit from her some
mark of unusual detestation. It is one of those extraordinary
instances in which we ought not to be contented with the bare negative
of Congress, because it is an affront on the multitude as well as on
the government. It goes on the supposition that the public are not
honest men, and that they may be managed by contrivance, though they
cannot be conquered by arms. But, let the world and Britain know, that
we are neither to be bought nor sold; that our mind is great and
fixed; our prospect clear; and that we will support our character as
firmly as our independence.
But I will go still further; General Conway, who made the motion, in
the British Parliament, for discontinuing offensive war in America, is
a gentleman of an amiable character. We have no personal quarrel
with him. But he feels not as we feel; he is not in our situation, and
that alone, without any other explanation, is enough.
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