Benjamin Franklin [1750
the Indians are an independent people, over whom
they have no power, and for whose actions they are,
therefore, not accountable. Surely circumstances so
widely different may reasonably authorize different
demands of security in America from such as are
usual or necessary in Europe.
The Remarker, however, thinks that our real dependence
 for keeping “France or any other nation
true to her engagements must not be in demanding
securities, which no nation whilst independent can
give, but on our own strength and our own vigilance.”
 * No nation that has carried on a war with
disadvantage, and is unable to continue it, can be
said under such circumstances to be independent;
and, while either side thinks itself in a condition to
demand an indemnification, there is no man in his
senses but will, ceteris paribus, prefer an indemnification
 that is a cheaper and more effectual security
than any other he can think of. Nations in this
situation demand and cede countries by almost every
treaty of peace that is made. The French part of
the island of St. Christopher’s was added to Great
Britain in circumstances altogether similar to those
in which a few months may probably place the
country of Canada. Farther security has always
been deemed a motive with a conqueror to be less
moderate; and even the vanquished insist upon security
 as a reason for demanding what they acknowledge
 they could not otherwise properly ask.
The security of the frontier of France on the side
of the Netherlands was always considered in the
1 Remarks, p. 25.

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