Alexander Hamilton: Letter to Harrison Gray Otis on Westward Expansion

( 1799 ) Commentary by Michael J. O'Neal, Ph.D.

“Indeed, if it is the policy of France to leave us in a state of semi-hostility, 'tis preferable to terminate it, and by taking possession of those countries [Florida and Louisiana] for ourselves, to obviate the mischief of their falling into the hands of an active foreign power, and at the same time to secure to the United States the advantage of keeping the key to the Western country.” - Letter to Harrison Gray Otis on Westward Expansion
“The reveries of some of the friends of the government are more injurious to it than the attacks of its declared enemies.” - Letter to Harrison Gray Otis on Westward Expansion

Alexander Hamilton (Library of Congress)

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