Was it true as some affirm, that the old World is absorbd in all kinds of Vice, unhumanizd & enslavd, it would indeed be a melancholly Subject to contemplate, and I should think that common Prudence would dictate to a Nation situated as we are, to have as little to do with them as possible.  Such indiscriminate Censure, however, may spring from Ignorance of the World or unreasonable Prejudice.  Nations as well as Individuals have different Characters.  We should not forget the Friendship & Kindness of One because we have experiencd the Injustice & Cruelty of Another.  But the Inconstancy of Friendship & even Infidelity has been seen often enough among Individuals to lead wise men to suppose it may happen in any Case & to exercise a kind of Circumspection, different from base Suspicion, consistent with the generous Sentiments of Friendship and, considering the Weakness of the human Mind, a necessary Guard.

Does not the true Policy, the Honor & Safety of our Country greatly depend upon a National Character consisting, among other Particulars, in Simplicity & Candor in all her Publick Transactions; shewing herself in reality friendly to those to whom she professes to be a Friend—­A constant Regard to mutual Benefit in Commercial Treaties; suspecting the Honesty of those who will not deal with her on equitable Principles, & guarding her Trade against their selfish Designs by wise Commercial Laws—­An exact & punctilious Fullfillment of Obligations on her Part to be performd by Virtue of all Treaties—­ and, An unalterable Determination to discharge her National Debts with all possible Speed.—­If, my honord Friend, the leading Men in the United States would by Precept & Example disseminate thro’ the lower Classes of People the Principles of Piety to God, Love to our Country & universal Benevolence, should we not secure the Favor of Heaven & the Honor & Esteem of the wise and virtuous Part of the World.

Great Britain, tho’ she has concluded a Treaty of Peace with us, appears to be not a cordial Friend.  She cannot forget her unparralled Injustice towards us & naturally supposes there can be no Forgiveness on our Part.  She seems to have meant Nothing more than a Truce.  A sensible Gentleman very lately from Canada informs me, that General Haldiman who is going to England, has orderd those Posts to be reinforcd, which by Treaty were to be deliverd to us.  Encroachments are made, as I apprehend, on our Eastern Territories.  Our Fishery may, under some frivolous Pretence be next interrupted.  Should we not guard ourselves against British Intrigues & Factions.  Her Emissaries, under the Guise of Merchants, Repenting Refugees, Schoolmasters, and other Characters, unless Care is taken, may effect another & fatal Revolution.  The Commonwealth of England lasted twelve years, and then the exiled King was restored with all the Rage & Madness of Royalty!—­A Caution to the Citizens of the United States zealously to counteract the Hopes our Enemies entertain of “Discord, Disunion, & Apathy on our Part,” to watch over the publick Liberty & Safety with a jealous Eye, and to practice the moral and political Virtues upon which the very Existence of a Commonwealth depends.