We are fenced by nature against foreign enemies, our ports are safe,
we fear no irruptions of the sea, our land territory at home is at
least 39,000,000 acres. We have in all likelihood not less than
5,500,000 people. What a nation might we then become, if all these
advantages were thoroughly improved, and if a right application were
made of all this strength and of these numbers?
They who apprehend the immoderate growth of any prince or State may,
perhaps, succeed by beginning first, and by attempting to pull down
such a dangerous neighbour, but very often their good designs are
disappointed. In all appearance they proceed more safely, who,
under such a fear, make themselves strong and powerful at home. And
this was the course which Philip, King of Macedon, the father of
Perseus, took, when he thought to be invaded by the Romans.
The greatness of Rome gave Carthage very anxious thoughts, and it
rather seems that they entered into the second Punic War more for
fear the Romans should have the universal empire, than out of any
ambition to lord it themselves over the whole world. Their design
was virtuous, and peradventure wise to endeavour at some early
interruption to a rival that grew so fast. However, we see they
miscarried, though their armies were led by Hannibal. But fortune
which had determined the dominion of the earth for Rome, did,
perhaps, lead them into the fatal counsel of passing the Eber
contrary to the articles of peace concluded with Asdrubal, and of
attacking Saguntum before they had sufficiently recovered of the
wounds they had suffered in the wars about Sicily, Sardinia, and
with their own rebels.
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