A reply to two pamphlets, in answer to The question, why do we go to war?, temperately discussed, according to the official correspondence : one entitled The reason why, the other Observations suggested, &c.

  • Burdon, William, 1764-1818.
Date:
1803
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A reply to two pamphlets, in answer to The question, why do we go to war?, temperately discussed, according to the official correspondence : one entitled The reason why, the other Observations suggested, &c. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    12/72 (page 6)
    \ Thus, then, is it acknowledged that the “ French Cf were not sufficiently prepared,” that they had too much on their hands, too much in their minds to • prepare for the invasion of, or meditate a war upon this Country: yet was all England alarmed, ail Europe electrified, by the message of the 8th of • March. He goes on to say, “ Although she had <c afforded positive indications of her intentions to 4< renew hostilities, it was nearly as clear that her ce design was to wait till she had completed those tf manifold arrangements which would insure the waging them with success, &c.” ibid. What these positive indications are, is never made clearly evident, unless is meant the enemy’s imagined de- signs upon Egypt: he might envy our trade; he might have looked for acquiescence in what we re- jected with disdain ; he might sometimes have been disrespectful in conduct and deportment; been guilty of ridiculous gasconade or idle vanity: but were the frantic discourses of an upstart, intoxicated with power, and giddy with the painful eminence of an \ unexr.cted situation, to be attended to with serious- ness. That the French wished to have waited till these grand objects were accomplished, there is not the smallest doubt; they wxre objects they had much at heart why not then have enjoyed a little repose ? j Were such works to be completed in a day, in a month, or in a few years r When they were com- pleted, it is by no means evident they would have 2?f * til ; ’ then!