THE LEE PAPERS.
Spain - I more than believe, I am almost confident that it has been done - at least I can ascertain upon recollection that some of the Committee of Secrecy have assured me, that the sentiments of both these Courts or their Agents had been sounded, and were found to be as favorable as could be wished. But admitting that we are utter strangers to their sentiments of the subject, and that we run some risk of this Declaration's being coldly received by these powers, such is our situation, that the risque must be ventur'd. On one side there are the most probable chances of our success, founded on the certain advantages which must manifest themselves to French understandings by a treaty of Alliance with America. The strength and weakness, the poverty & opulence of every state are estimated in the scale of comparison with her immediate Rival; the superior commerce and marine force of England, were evidently established on the monopoly of her American trade - The inferiority of France, in these two capital points, had its source, consequently from the same origin; any deduction of this monopoly must bring down her Rival in proportion to the deduction, as the total annihilation of this Commerce, must reduce her to an inferiority, or perhaps total subjection. The French are & always have been sensible of these great truths. Your idea that they may be diverted from a line of policy which ensures 'em such immense and permanent advantages, by an offer of partition from Great Britain, appears to me, if you will excuse the term, an absolute Chimera. They must be wretched politicians indeed, if they wou'd prefer the uncertain acquisition, and the precarious expensive possession of one or two provinces to the greater part of the Commerce of the whole besides were not the advantages from the latter so manifestly greater than those that would accrue from the imagin'd partition Scheme. It is notorious, that acquisition of Territory or even Colonial possessions which require either men or money to retain, are entirely repugnant to the spirit and principles of the present French Court; it is
