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Editorial
October 15, 1798
The Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
John Adams refutes claims of a coalition between the U.S. and Great Britain, analyzing ideas of colonial return or perpetual alliance, emphasizing mutual defense against potential French enmity without formal ties.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Rational Opinion.
"IT must be great perversion and depravity in any, who can represent the late acts of Government and the necessary measures of self defence taken by Congress as a coalition with Great Britain. It may be useful, however, to analyze our ideas upon this subject.
If by a coalition with Great Britain be meant a return as Colonies, under the government of that country, I declare I know no individual in America who would consent to it, nor do I believe that Great Britain would again receive us in that character. Sure I am it would be in her the blindest policy she ever conceived; for she has already the most incontestable proof that she cannot govern us. If by a coalition be meant a perpetual alliance, offensive and defensive, can it be supposed that two thirds of the Senate of the United States would advise or consent to it without necessity? Besides, is any one certain that Britain would agree to it if we should propose it? I believe Americans in general have already seen enough of perpetual alliances. Nevertheless, if France has made or shall make herself our enemy, and has forced or shall force upon us a war in our defence, can we avoid being useful to Britain while we are defending ourselves? Can Britain avoid being useful to us while defending herself, or annoying her enemy?
Would it not be a want of wisdom in both to avoid any opportunity of aiding each other?"
[JOHN ADAMS.]
"IT must be great perversion and depravity in any, who can represent the late acts of Government and the necessary measures of self defence taken by Congress as a coalition with Great Britain. It may be useful, however, to analyze our ideas upon this subject.
If by a coalition with Great Britain be meant a return as Colonies, under the government of that country, I declare I know no individual in America who would consent to it, nor do I believe that Great Britain would again receive us in that character. Sure I am it would be in her the blindest policy she ever conceived; for she has already the most incontestable proof that she cannot govern us. If by a coalition be meant a perpetual alliance, offensive and defensive, can it be supposed that two thirds of the Senate of the United States would advise or consent to it without necessity? Besides, is any one certain that Britain would agree to it if we should propose it? I believe Americans in general have already seen enough of perpetual alliances. Nevertheless, if France has made or shall make herself our enemy, and has forced or shall force upon us a war in our defence, can we avoid being useful to Britain while we are defending ourselves? Can Britain avoid being useful to us while defending herself, or annoying her enemy?
Would it not be a want of wisdom in both to avoid any opportunity of aiding each other?"
[JOHN ADAMS.]
What sub-type of article is it?
Foreign Affairs
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Coalition With Britain
Perpetual Alliances
Self Defense
France Enmity
Mutual Aid
What entities or persons were involved?
John Adams
Great Britain
Congress
Senate Of The United States
France
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Analysis Of Potential U.S. Britain Coalition
Stance / Tone
Rational Refutation Of Coalition Accusations, Skeptical Of Perpetual Alliances
Key Figures
John Adams
Great Britain
Congress
Senate Of The United States
France
Key Arguments
No American Would Consent To Returning As Colonies Under British Government
Britain Cannot Govern America And Would Not Accept Colonies Back
U.S. Senate Unlikely To Consent To Perpetual Offensive Defensive Alliance Without Necessity
Americans Wary Of Perpetual Alliances
Mutual Usefulness In Defense Against France Without Formal Coalition
Wisdom In Aiding Each Other Opportunistically