In 1803, Britain ended peaceful relations with France that was created by the Treaty of Amiens. Britain was alarmed by Napoleon's assertion of control over Switzerland and were insulted when Napoleon said it deserved no voice in European affairs. Britain felt like they were losing control of the European markets and saw Napoleon as a threat to it's overseas colonies. And just like that the brief period of peace in Europe was over. Now as, the world was returning to the violence of the French Revolutionary Wars, President Thomas Jefferson told a joint session of Congress that "the flames of war lighted up again in Europe, and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction." Jefferson had no desire for the United States to get involved, and in deed, he believed that it was divine Providence that guided us from "hastily entering into the sanguinity contest". In other words Jefferson thanked God for the wisdom and moderation (inspired by Providence) that led Congress to keeping us out of the war, rather than choosing a side that seemed to offer the best opportunity for America.
"We have seen with sincere concern the flames of war lighted up again in Europe, and nations with which we have the most friendly and useful relations engaged in mutual destruction. While we regret the miseries in which we see others involved, let us bow with gratitude to that kind Providence which, inspiring with wisdom and moderation our late legislative councils while placed under the urgency of the greatest wrongs guarded us from hastily entering into the sanguinity contest and left us only to look on and pity its ravages."Jefferson continued, by warning that while the destruction would be heaviest on those immediately engaged in the war, even those nations pursuing peace will "not be exempt from all evil". So Jefferson laid out his 7 principles of neutrality regarding the Napoleonic wars. The words of Thomas Jefferson speak for themselves.
Jefferson then continued with a hope that Congress would avoid all desire to get involved for any reason other than to see the destruction come to a close.
- "to cultivate the friendship of the belligerent nations by every act of justice and of innocent kindness;
- to receive their armed vessels with hospitality from the distresses of the sea, but to administer the means of annoyance to none;
- to establish in our harbors such a police as may maintain law and order;
- to restrain our citizens from embarking individually in a war in which their country takes no part;
- to punish severely those persons, citizens or alien, who shall usurp the cover of our flag for vessels not entitled to it, infecting thereby with suspicion those of real Americans and committing us into controversies for the redress of wrongs not our own;
- to exact from every nation the observance toward our vessels and citizens of those principles and practices which all civilized people acknowledge;
- to merit the character of a just nation, and maintain that of an independent one, preferring every consequence to insult and habitual wrong."
"Confident, fellow citizens, that you will duly estimate the importance of neutral dispositions toward the observance of neutral conduct, that you will be sensible how much it is our duty to look on the bloody arena spread before us with commiseration indeed, but with no other wish than to see it closed"
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29445
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars
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