[Extract]
My Dear Sir, —

Your of April 3d I recd. I must confess, that I am at a Loss to determine whether it is good Policy in Us to wish for a War between France and Britain, unless We could be sure that no other Powers would engage in it: But if France engages Spain will, and then all Europe will arrange themselves on one side and the other and what Consequences to Us might be involved in it I don't know. If We could have a free Trade with Europe I should rather run the Risque of fighting it out with George and his present Allies, provided he should get no other. I don't love to be intangled in the Quarrels of Europe. I don't wish to be under Obligations to any of them, and I am very unwilling they should rob Us of the Glory of vindicating our own Liberties.

It is a Cowardly Spirit in our Countrymen, which makes them pant with so much longing Expectation, after a French War. I have very often been ashamed to hear so many Whiggs groaning and Sighing with Despondency and whining out their Fears that We must be subdued unless France should step in. Are We to be beholden to France for. our Liberties? France has done so much already that the Honour and Dignity and Reputation of Great Britain is concerned to resent it, and if she does not, France will trifle with her forever hereafter. She has recd. our Ambassadors, protected our Merchant Men, Privateers, Men of War and Prizes, admitted Us freely to trade, lent Us Money, and supplied Us with Arms, Ammunition and Warlike Stores of every Kind. This is notorious all over Europe, and she will do more, presently, if our dastardly Despondency, in the midst of the finest Prospects imaginable, does not discourage her. The surest and the only Way to secure her Arms in this Cause is for Us to exert our own. For God's sake then don't fail of a single Man of your Quota. Get them at any Rate, and by any Means rather than not have them.