1781] Essays 3 
thing which their means will permit.” T hey had 
in America great expectations, I know not on what 
foundation, that a considerable supply of money 
would be obtained from Spain; but that expecta- 
tion has failed, and the force of that nation in those 
seas has been employed to reduce small forts in Flor- 
ida, without rendering any direct assistance to the 
United States; and indeed the long delay of that 
court, in acceding to the treaty of commerce, begins 
to have the appearance of its not inclining to have 
any connection with us; so that, for effectual friend- 
ship, and for the aid so necessary in the present con- 
juncture, we can rely on France alone, and in the 
continuance of the king’s goodness towards us. 
I am grown old. I feel myself much enfeebled by 
my late long illness, and it is probable I shall not 
long have any more concern in these affairs. I there- 
fore take this occasion to express my opinion to your 
Excellency, that the present conjuncture is critical; 
that there is some danger lest the Congress should 
lose its influence over the people, if it is found unable 
to procure the aids that are wanted: and that the 
whole system of the new government in America may 
thereby be shaken: that, if the English are suffered 
once to recover that country, such an opportunity of 
effectual separation as the present may not occur 
again in the course of ages; and that the possession 
of those fertile and extensive regions, and that vast 
sea-coast, will afford them so broad a basis for future 
greatness, by the rapid growth of their commerce, 
and breed of seamen and soldiers, as will enable them 
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