APPENDIX.
The Letters of Pacificus.
By Alexander Hamilton.
No. I
As attempts are making, very dangerous to the peace, and it is to be feared not very friendly to the constitution, of the United States, it becomes the duty of those who wish well to both, to endeavour to prevent their success.
The objections which have been raised against the proclamation of neutrality, lately issued by the president, have been urged in a spirit of acrimony and invective, which demonstrates that more was in view than merely a free discussion of an important public measure. They exhibit evident indications of a design to weaken the confidence of the people in the author of the measure, in order to remove or lessen a powerful obstacle to the success of an opposition to the government, which, however it may change its form according to circumstances, seems still to be persisted in with unremitting industry.
This reflection adds to the motives connected with the measure itself, to recommend endeavours, by proper explanations, to place it in a just light. Such explanations at least cannot but be satisfactory to those who may not themselves have leisure or opportunity for pursuing an investigation of the subject, and who may wish
