as their moderation in most of the
States that they did not desire it. In these, therefore, no removals
took place but for malversation. In the middle States the contention had
been higher, spirits were more sharpened and less accommodating. It was
necessary in these to practise a different treatment, and to make a few
changes to tranquillize the injured party. A few have been made there,
a very few still remain to be made. When this painful operation shall be
over, I see nothing else ahead of us which can give uneasiness to any of
our citizens, or retard that consolidation of sentiment so essential to
our happiness and our strength. The tory papers will still find fault
with every thing. But these papers are sinking daily, from their
dissonance with the sentiments of their subscribers, and very few will
shortly remain to keep up a solitary and ineffectual barking.

There is no point in which an American, long absent from his country,
wanders so widely from its sentiments as on the subject of its foreign
affairs. We have a perfect horror at every thing like connecting
ourselves with the politics of Europe. It would indeed be advantageous
to us to have neutral rights established on a broad ground; but no
dependence can be placed in any European coalition for that. They have
so many other by-interests of greater weight, that some one or other
will always be bought off. To be entangled with them would be a much
greater evil than a temporary acquiescence in the false principles which
have prevailed. Peace is our most important interest, and a recovery
from debt. We feel ourselves strong, and daily growing stronger. The
census just now concluded, shows we have added to our population a third
of what it was ten years ago. This will be a duplication in twenty three
or twenty-four years. If we can delay but for a few years the necessity
of vindicating the laws of nature on the ocean, we shall be the more
sure of doing it with effect. The day is within my time as well as
yours, when we may say by what laws other nations shall treat us on the
sea. And we will say it. In the meantime, we wish to let every treaty
we have drop off without renewal. We call in our diplomatic missions,
barely keeping up those to the most important nations. There is a
strong disposition in our countrymen to discontinue even these; and
very possibly it may be done. Consuls will be continued as usual. The
interest which European nations feel, as well as ou