CHARLES GRAVIER

One does not make war except to preserve one's own possessions or to acquire those of others.

That nation is as depraved in its politics as in its morals.... England is the monster against which we should be always prepared.

The quarrel between the colonies and the British government seems to become more serious every day ... It may prove the most fatal blow to the authority of the metropolis.

It is certain that if his Majesty seizes this unique opportunity, which perhaps the ages will never again present, we can deal England a blow that would abate her pride and place her power within just bounds ... and he would have the glory, so dear to his heart, of being the benefactor not only of his own people but of all nations.

They regard as just whatever they believe to be advantageous.

One can wink at certain things, but one cannot authorize them

England must either lose her colonies or destroy them in the effort to hold them, and in either event there would be the same loss of trade, the same decay in manufactures, and the same destruction of national credit.

His has a rigidity, an arrogance, and an obstinacy that will cause him to foment a thousand unfortunate incidents.

It is more possible that a good Christian should form an alliance with the devil than I with England.

I am beginning to have a poor opinion of their firmness. Their Republic, unless they correct its faults, ... will never be more than a feeble body capable of little activity ... I must own that I have little confidence in the energy of the United States.

His has a rigidity, an arrogance, and an obstinacy that will cause him to foment a thousand unfortunate incidents.

Always keep in mind that in separating the United States from Great Britain, it is above all their commerce we want.

The English buy peace rather than make it.

One does not make war except to preserve one's own possessions or to acquire those of others.

It is certain that if his Majesty seizes this unique opportunity, which perhaps the ages will never again present, we can deal England a blow that would abate her pride and place her power within just bounds ... and he would have the glory, so dear to his heart, of being the benefactor not only of his own people but of all nations.

It is more possible that a good Christian should form an alliance with the devil than I with England.

No interest can divide two peoples connected only over vast tracts of sea; the relations of commerce will form a chain which, if not eternal, will be of long duration.

One can wink at certain things, but one cannot authorize them

They regard as just whatever they believe to be advantageous.

England is the natural enemy of France, an enemy greedy, ambitious, unjust, and false. The invariable and cherished object of her policy is, if not the destruction of France, at least her abasement, her humiliation, her ruin.

That nation is as depraved in its politics as in its morals.... England is the monster against which we should be always prepared.

England must either lose her colonies or destroy them in the effort to hold them, and in either event there would be the same loss of trade, the same decay in manufactures, and the same destruction of national credit.

The quarrel between the colonies and the British government seems to become more serious every day ... It may prove the most fatal blow to the authority of the metropolis.

I am beginning to have a poor opinion of their firmness. Their Republic, unless they correct its faults, ... will never be more than a feeble body capable of little activity ... I must own that I have little confidence in the energy of the United States.