AMERICAN FINANCES AND RESOURCES.
LETTER NO. II, FROM HON. ROBERT J. WALKER.
LONDON, _10 Half Moon Street, Piccadilly_,
October 8, 1863.
In view of the fact that the people of the United Kingdom and of the
United States are mainly of the same race, speak the same language, have
the same literature, ancestry, and common law, with the same history for
centuries, and a reciprocal commerce exceeding that of all the rest of
the world, it is amazing how little is known in each country of the
other. This condition of affairs is most unfavorable to the continuance
of peace and good will between two great and kindred nations. It causes
constant misapprehension by each party of the acts and motives of the
other, arrests the development of friendly feeling, and retards the
advance of commercial freedom. It excites almost daily rumors of
impending war, disturbing the course of trade, causing large mercantile
losses, and great unnecessary Government expenditures. If war has not
ensued, it has led to angry controversy and bitter recrimination. It is
sowing broadcast in both countries the seeds of international hatred,
rendering England and America two hostile camps, frowning mutual
defiance; and, if not terminating in war, must, if not arrested, end in
embargoes and non-intercourse, or discriminating duties on imports and
tonnage, greatly injurious to both countries. I know it has become
fashionable in England and America to sneer at the fact of our common
origin; but the great truth still exists, and is fraught with momentous
consequences, for good or evil, to both nations, and to mankind.
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