ower of
any words of compact, or could any parchment, with its seals,
prevail at once to tranquillize the people? It was impossible.
Treaties in England are seldom popular, and least of all, when the
stipulations of amity succeed to the bitterness of hatred. Even the
best treaty, though nothing be refused, will choke resentment, but
not satisfy it. Every treaty is as sure to disappoint extravagant
expectations, as to disarm extravagant passions; of the latter,
hatred is one that takes no bribes; they who are animated by a
spirit of revenge, will not be quieted by the possibility of
profit.

"Why do they complain that the West Indies are not laid open? Why
do they lament that any restriction is stipulated on the commerce
of the East Indies? Why do they pretend, that if they reject this,
and insist upon more, more will be accomplished? Let us be
explicit--more would not satisfy. If all was granted, would not a
treaty of amity with Great Britain still be obnoxious? Have we not
this instant heard it urged against our envoy, that he was not
ardent enough in his hatred of Great Britain? A treaty of amity is
condemned because it was not made by a foe, and in the spirit of
one. The same gentleman, at the same instant, repeats a very
prevailing objection, that no treaty should be made with the enemy
of France. 'No treaty,' exclaim others, 'should be made with a
monarch or a despot; there will be no naval security while those
sea-robbers prevail on the ocean; their den must be destroyed; that
nation must be extirpated.'

"I like this, sir, because it is sincerity. With feelings such as
these we do not pant for treaties. Such passions seek nothing, and
will be content with nothing, but the destruction of their object.
If a treaty left King George his island it would not answer, not if
he stipulated to pay rent for it. It has been said, the world ought
to rejoice if Great Britain was sunk in the sea; if, where there
are now men, and wealth, and laws, and liberty, there were no more
than a sandbank, for the sea-monsters to fatten on--a space for the
storms of the ocean to mingle in conflict.

"I object nothing to the good sense or humanity of all this. I
yield the point that this is a proof that the age of reason is in
progress. Let it be philanthr