[Draft] I consider [strikethrough: these] [undecipherable] measures and [strikethrough: these] from [undecipherable] to preserve tranquility, [undecipherable] the prompt and regular [undecipherable] of the Laws, as well as our [undecipherable] and only security against the efforts of foreign enemies. If we mean to be a great and flourishing nation, we must create a navy, and always maintain, a formidable [strikethrough: change] [strikethrough: without the] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: in a complete state of] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: always in readiness] between the [undecipherable] of France & England [strikethrough: we the] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: and place] ourselves [undecipherable] in a situation to [strikethrough: have] nothing to apprehend from either, [strikethrough: and] of [strikethrough: their powers] [strikethrough: if we do not] and unless we place ourselves in this situation we shall be constantly in danger of being drawn into war, [strikethrough: to be] in favour of one or the other, [strikethrough: France] [strikethrough: or England], to avoid some immediate and pressing evil or to gain some slight and or temporary advantage. I am far from [strikethrough: recommending for] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: making] [strikethrough: the] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: of some] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: in the] [strikethrough: measures of] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: but I wish it] to be a [undecipherable] governing [undecipherable] in our country [strikethrough: and prepared] to be able to act [undecipherable: soul contri tow] France will make peace when she is no longer able to make war. — It will be in vain for the Leg: of S. to form projects of [undecipherable: treaties] or the Pres: to appoint the wisest and ablest men to negotiate peace with France if we are not prepared to defend ourselves and make war. It is demonstrable that we cannot depend upon our navy to guard our coasts and prevent an invasion for a long time [strikethrough: to come, we] consequently [strikethrough: and that] we should be strong at land, if [strikethrough: we would] be [strikethrough: he would be] secure against the [strikethrough: far] plans of a foreign enemy, or [strikethrough: for] [strikethrough: ever] render [undecipherable: negociations] successful. We should lose no time [strikethrough: to form] invincible soldiers by a [strikethrough: shift the] scientifick [strikethrough: and] [undecipherable: pursuit] and rigid discipline. It appears to me that we ought to aim at the creation of a land force of 25,000 men and at least 12 Ships of the Line [undecipherable] with the former, well officered and well disciplined we may look with a firm countenance [strikethrough: upon the] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: ing those] [strikethrough: who] upon the most hostile designs On the other hand of France; [strikethrough: and] [strikethrough: but] if we intermit in our preparations to arrive at this degree of strength, have we any thing to hope, or [strikethrough: can] [strikethrough: have] count [strikethrough: upon] from the justice and moderation of a power so little shackled by the [undecipherable: formality] of justice & moderation as France, and so bent upon universal dominion.