Page 166 - The Interest of America in Sea Power Present and Future

American Naval Power. 1 47

also, because we were weak, and in order to
allow the individuality of the nation time to
accentuate itself. Save the questions connected
with the navigation of the Mississippi, collision
with other peoples was only likely to arise, and
actually did arise, from going beyond our own
borders in search of trade. The* reasons now
evoked by some against our political action
outside our own borders might have been used
then with equal appositeness against our com-
mercial enterprises. Let us stay at home, or
we shall get into trouble. Jefferson, in truth,
averse in principle to commerce as to war, was
happily logical in his embargo system. It not
only punished the foreigner and diminished the
danger of international complications, but it
kept our own ships out of harm's way ; and if
it did destroy trade, and cause the grass to grow

in the streets of New York, the incident, if in-
convenient, had its compensations, by repressing
hazardous external activities.
Few now, of course, would look with com-
posure upon a policy, whatever its ground,
which contemplated the peaceable seclusion of
this nation from its principal lines of commerce.
In 1807, however, a great party accepted the