am the [undecipherable] and am much obliged to you for your letter of the — I am decidedly of Opinion that it is much better to be a Spectator of the calamities of war Than a Participator in them, with [strikethrough: all] the [strikethrough: advantages] [undecipherable] which [strikethrough: all] the advantages. There could probably result from [strikethrough: the most] a successful force, for if I can assure you that no pacific mean which can be [strikethrough: honorably] employed to preserve us from [strikethrough: them can] it must be omitted. But [strikethrough: upon such] a peace system [strikethrough: ought to secure] that in determining [undecipherable: upon] [strikethrough: more] [strikethrough: sensible] to [undecipherable] a middle [undecipherable] [strikethrough: to employ] there must be necessary that defensive measures should be taken to secure [undecipherable] attempts which must mean cause [undecipherable]