(    317.    )
British army appeared to have established our indepen-
dence.    But of tliis more hereafter.----------In matters of
importance (and what could he more important than the
decision of a neutral and allied nation on questions per-
haps involving war or peace ?) is it the part of wisdom
to reject all deliberation even on points which do not ob-
viously present difficulties ? Will not prudence dictate to
him who is to decide great national questions, rather to
deliberate long, than risk the consequences of hasty de-
cisions ?•
Second.   *' It made au insidious proclamation of neu-
trality."
I have already remarked that proclamation received
the pointed approbation of congress ; and I might truly
add of the great body of the citizens of of the United
States. And what was tha general object of this procla-
mation ? to preserve us- in state of peace. And
have not the ministers of France declared that their go-
vernment did cot desire us to enter into the war ? And
how was peace to be preserved ? By an impartial neutra-
lity. And was it not then the duty of the chief execu-
tive to proclaim, this to our citizens, and to inform them
what acts would be deemed departures from their neutral.
duties ? This was done by the proclamation, ^t ripclajn.
red it to, be the duty, interest, and disposition of that
United States, to adopt and pursue a conduct friendly and
impartial toward the belligerent powers. It warned the citi-
zens to avoid all acts which might contravene that dispo-
sition : it declared that whosoever of the citizens should
render himself liable to punishment or forfeiture under,
the law of cations, by committing or aliening hostilities
against any of those powers, or by carrying to any of
them articles deemed contraband of war, would not re-
ceive the protection of the United States against such
punishment and forfeiture : and that the president bad,
given instructions to the proper officers to prosecute all
persons who should violate the law of nations with res*.
pect to the powers at war, or any of them. To what in.
all this can the eniihet insidious be applied ? On the con-
D d 3