other powers of Europe, I do not find,
that ever any of them gave themselves
the least concern about it, unless when
they were themselves attacked, or had a
view of making some advantage by the
event of the war. Did ever the Dutch
engage in any war merely for the sake of
preserving the balance of power? Did they
ever declare war, or provoke a declarati-
on of war, upon that account alone All
the wars they had against Spain, were,
we know, for the establishment or preser-
wation of their liberties. And if weexamine
the wars they have had against France, we
shall find, that they never began hostili-
ties till they were either attacked, or under
a most just apprehension of being attack-
ed. In theyear 1672, it is well known, how
they were attacked and almost ruined; and
yet they concluded a separate peace at
Nineguen, without much regard to the
balance of power, or to their allies. In
the year 1689, they were upon the brink
of being attacked by France before they
declared war; and I am persuaded, they
would not have given any assistance to
the Prince of Orange, in his design upon
England, if they had not foreseen, that
they would be attacked by K. James, had
he remained possessed of the crown of
England. Then again in the year 1701,
were not the French putting daily affronts
upon them, and making continual in-
troachments upon their frontiers ? which
made it necessary for them to provide for
eir future safety by entering into the
grand alliance. If we look into the con-
dućt of the Germans, and the Spaniards,
we shall find it the very same. It was
never the balance of power, but their
ownimmediate safety or interest, that made
them enter into any war against France.
No nation but this has ever made the ba-
lince of power the chief object of their
care; but we, in all our late measures,
seem to have thought of nothing else; and
to this cant term we have lately added
two others; which are, the neutrality of
Italy, and the balance of power in the
North; by which three conjuring terms,
our ministers now find a pretence for cn-
gaging us in every war and in every trea-
ty that happens in Europe.
In what I have said, Sir, I would not