As for this road, we are told at every turn that it is ridiculous to talk of war in connection with it, for we will have no wars except those with the Indians.  Both England and France dare not go to war with us.  I say this course of argument is not only unwise and delusive, but if such sentiments take hold on the country, they will be mischievous; they will almost to a certainty lead to a daring and reckless policy on our part; and as each government labors under a similar delusion as to what the other will not dare to do, what is more probable than that both may get into such a position—­the result of a mutual mistake—­that war must ensue?  It is worth while to reflect upon the difference between the policy of Great Britain and this country in her diplomatic correspondence and debates in Parliament.  When we make a threat, Great Britain does not threaten in turn.  We hear of no gasconade on her part.  If we declare that we have a just right to latitude 54 degrees 40’, and will maintain our right at all hazard, she does not bluster, and threaten, and declare what she will do, if we dare to cany out our threat.  When we talk about the Mosquito king, of Balize, and of the Bay Islands, and declare our determination to drive her from her policy and purposes in regard to them, we do not hear of an angry form of expression from her.  We employed very strong language last year in regard to the rights of American fishermen; but the reply of Great Britain scarcely assumed the tone of remonstrance against the intemperate tone of our debates.  Her policy upon all such occasions is one of wisdom.  Her strong and stern purpose is seldom to be seen in her diplomatic intercourse, or in the debates of her leading statesmen; but if you were about her dock-yards, or in her foundries, or her timber-yards, and her great engine manufactories, and her armories, you would find some bustle and stir.  There, all is life and motion.

I have always thought that the proper policy of this country is to make no threats—­to make no parade of what we intend to do.  Let us put the country in a condition to defend its honor and interests; to maintain them successfully whenever they may be assailed; no matter by what Power, whether by Great Britain, or France, or both combined.  Make this road; complete the defenses of the country, of your harbors, and navy yards; strengthen your navy—­put it upon an efficient footing; appropriate ample means for making experiments to ascertain the best model of ships-of-war, to be driven by steam or any other motive power; the best models of the engines to be employed in them; to inquire whether a large complement of guns, or a few guns of great calibre, is the better plan.  We may well, upon such questions, take a lesson from England.  At a recent period she has been making experiments of this nature, in order to give increased efficiency to her naval establishment.  How did she set about it?  Her Admiralty Board