In short, commerce has made this country what it is, and it can not be destroyed or neglected without involving the people in poverty and distress.
John Adams: “In short, commerce has made this country what it is, and it can not be destroyed or neglected without involving the…”
Editor's note · Context
Adams warns that neglecting commerce could lead to widespread poverty and distress.
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But in demonstrating by our conduct that we do not fear war in the necessary protection of our rights and honor we shall give no room to infer that we abandon the desire of peace.
Under this view of our affairs, I should hold myself guilty of a neglect of duty if I forbore to recommend that we should make every exertion to protect our commerce and to place our country in a suitable posture of defense as the only…
Such circumstances call with peculiar importunity not less for a disposition to unite in all those measures on which the honor, safety, and prosperity of our country depend than for all the exertions of wisdom and firmness.
But considering the late manifestations of her policy toward foreign nations, I deem it a duty deliberately and solemnly to declare my opinion that whether we negotiate with her or not, vigorous preparations for war will be alike…