ill, from attachment, as
well as public considerations, deplore an occasion which should
once more tear you from that repose to which you have so good a
right, yet it is the opinion of all those with whom I converse that
you will be compelled to make the sacrifice. All your past labor
may demand, to give it efficacy, this further--this great
sacrifice."

Notwithstanding these alarm-bell notes from Hamilton, in whose political
sagacity Washington had unbounded confidence, he could not bring
himself to believe that actual war between the two countries would
ensue. "You may be assured," he replied, "that my mind is deeply
impressed with the present situation of our public affairs, and not a
little agitated by the outrageous conduct of France toward the United
States, and at the unparalleled conduct of its partisans, who aid and
abet their measures. You may believe further, from assurances equally
sincere, that, if there was anything in my power, which could be done
with consistency, to avert or lessen the danger of the crisis, it should
be rendered with hand and heart.

"But, my dear sir, dark as matters appear at present, and expedient as
it is to be prepared at all points for the worst that can happen--and no
one is more disposed to this measure than I am--I can not make up my
mind yet for the expectation of _open war_, or, in other words, for a
formidable invasion by France. I can not believe, although I think them
capable of anything bad, that they will attempt to do more than they
have done; or that, when they perceive the spirit and policy of this
country rising into resistance, and that they have falsely calculated
upon support from a large part of the _people_ thereof to promote their
views and influence in it, they will not desist even from these
practices, unless unexpected events in Europe, and their possession of
Louisiana and the Floridas, should induce them to continue the measure.
And I believe further, that, although the _leaders_ of their party in
this country will not change their sentiments, they will be obliged,
nevertheless, to change their plan, or the mode of carrying it on, from
the effervescence which is appearing in all quarters, and from the
desertion of their followers, which must frown them into silence, at
least for awhile.

"If I did not view things in this light, my mind would be infinitely
more disquieted than it is; for, if a crisis should arrive when a sen