On the record
In war between that power and the United States, without resort on our part to our mercantile marine the means of our enemy to inflict injury upon our commerce would be tenfold greater than ours to retaliate.
Source
gutenberg.orgFranklin Pierce: “In war between that power and the United States, without resort on our part to our mercantile marine the means of our…”
Editor's note · Context
Pierce warns that without a strong mercantile marine, the U.S. would be at a severe disadvantage in wartime.
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More from Franklin Pierce
In addressing to you my last annual message the occasion seems to me an appropriate one to express my congratulations, in view of the peace, greatness, and felicity which the United States now possess and enjoy.
Our forefathers were trained to the wisdom which conceived and the courage which achieved independence by the circumstances which surrounded them, and they were thus made capable of the creation of the Republic.
I caused full investigation of that event to be made, and the result shows satisfactorily that complete responsibility for what occurred attaches to the Government of New Granada.
These results have not been attained without passing through trials and perils, by experience of which, and thus only, nations can harden into manhood.
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