France, which has always been the rival of this country, and hates it now more than ever, (envy being now an ingredient of its hatred,) knows well that it is fallen and degraded, that it has less wealth and happiness than England; but then it considers, that, however bad its finances may be, they are getting no worse; that to continue the war for twenty years will bring no more ruin on the nation, while half the term would probably ruin us. Till we show the fallacy of this calculation, we cannot expect a durable peace. Our ruin is become an object, not only of ambition, but of necessity, as it were, to France; and nothing but despair of being able to accomplish their object will make them abandon the attempt.
We must be permitted here to ask a few questions:
Is not the time favourable for the plan here proposed?
Would it not be fair in its operation?
Would it not bring relief effectually and speedily?
Would it not reduce our burthens, without breaking faith with the creditors of the state?
Would it not reduce the interest, without setting too much capital afloat, that might leave the country?
Could our enemies then calculate on the national debt destroying England?
The affairs of nations, it has been observed, become so complicated, and the details so multiplied, that those who have the management of them are scarcely equal to the business of the day; and they have no leisure to inquire into the best modes of keeping off evil when it is yet distant; of this we have had ample experience.
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