If then Britain can maintain a hundred ships of the line, France can as well support a hundred and fifty, because her revenue and her population are as equal to the one as those of England are to the other.
Thomas Paine: “If then Britain can maintain a hundred ships of the line, France can as well support a hundred and fifty, because her…”
Editor's note · Context
Paine asserts that France can support a larger navy than Britain due to its resources and population.
Share
More from Thomas Paine
As to what are called national religions, we may, with as much propriety, talk of national Gods.
But as religion is very improperly made a political machine, and the reality of it is thereby destroyed, I will conclude this work with stating in what light religion appears to me.
Why may we not suppose, that the great Father of all is pleased with variety of devotion; and that the greatest offence we can act, is that by which we seek to torment and render each other miserable?
In those which proceed from the former cause, the temper becomes incensed and soured; and the redress, obtained by danger, is too often sullied by revenge.