Visit ebookmass.

com to download the full version and

explore more ebook or textbook

Introduction to Computation and Programming Using

Python, Third Edition John V. Guttag

_____ Click the link below to download _____

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-computation-
and-programming-using-python-third-edition-john-v-guttag/

Explore and download more ebook or textbook at ebookmass.com

Here are some recommended products that we believe you will be
interested in. You can click the link to download.

Engineering Computation: An Introduction Using MATLAB and

Exce, 2nd Edition Musto

https://ebookmass.com/product/engineering-computation-an-introduction-
using-matlab-and-exce-2nd-edition-musto/

Introduction to Computing and Programming in Python,

Global Edition Mark J. Guzdial

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-computing-and-
programming-in-python-global-edition-mark-j-guzdial/

Introduction To Computing And Problem Solving Using Python

1st Edition E. Balaguruswamy

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-computing-and-problem-
solving-using-python-1st-edition-e-balaguruswamy/

Python Programming: Using Problem Solving Approach 1st

Edition Reema Thareja

https://ebookmass.com/product/python-programming-using-problem-
solving-approach-1st-edition-reema-thareja/
Advanced Guide to Python 3 Programming, 2nd 2nd Edition
John Hunt

https://ebookmass.com/product/advanced-guide-to-
python-3-programming-2nd-2nd-edition-john-hunt/

Introduction to Responsible AI: Implement Ethical AI Using

Python 1st Edition Manure

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-responsible-ai-
implement-ethical-ai-using-python-1st-edition-manure/

Programming the Raspberry Pi, Third Edition: Getting

Started with Python Simon Monk

https://ebookmass.com/product/programming-the-raspberry-pi-third-
edition-getting-started-with-python-simon-monk/

Introduction to Computing Using Python: An Application

Development Focus, 2nd Edition – Ebook PDF Version

https://ebookmass.com/product/introduction-to-computing-using-python-
an-application-development-focus-2nd-edition-ebook-pdf-version/

Solutions Manual to Introduction to Robotics Mechanics and

Control Third Edition John J. Craig

https://ebookmass.com/product/solutions-manual-to-introduction-to-
robotics-mechanics-and-control-third-edition-john-j-craig/
Introduction to Computation
and Programming Using
Python

with Application to Computational

Modeling and Understanding Data
Introduction to Computation
and Programming Using
Python

with Application to Computational

Modeling and Understanding Data
third edition

John V. Guttag

The MIT Press

Cambridge, Massachusetts
London, England
© 2021 Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any
electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or
information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from the
publisher.

This book was set in Minion Pro by New Best-set Typesetters Ltd.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Guttag, John, author.

Title: Introduction to computation and programming using Python : with
application to computational modeling and understanding data / John V.
Guttag.
Description: Third edition. | Cambridge, Massachusetts : The MIT Press, [2021] |
Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020036760 | ISBN 9780262542364 (paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Python (Computer program language)—Textbooks. | Computer
programming—Textbooks.
Classification: LCC QA76.73.P98 G88 2021 | DDC 005.13/3—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020036760

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

d_r0
To my family:

Olga
David
Andrea
Michael
Mark
Addie
Pierce
 CONTENTS

PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
1: GETTING STARTED
2: INTRODUCTION TO PYTHON
3: SOME SIMPLE NUMERICAL PROGRAMS
4: FUNCTIONS, SCOPING, AND ABSTRACTION
5: STRUCTURED TYPES AND MUTABILITY
6: RECURSION AND GLOBAL VARIABLES
7: MODULES AND FILES
8: TESTING AND DEBUGGING
9: EXCEPTIONS AND ASSERTIONS
10: CLASSES AND OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING
11: A SIMPLISTIC INTRODUCTION TO ALGORITHMIC
COMPLEXITY
12: SOME SIMPLE ALGORITHMS AND DATA STRUCTURES
13: PLOTTING AND MORE ABOUT CLASSES
14: KNAPSACK AND GRAPH OPTIMIZATION PROBLEMS
15: DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING
16: RANDOM WALKS AND MORE ABOUT DATA
VISUALIZATION
 17: STOCHASTIC PROGRAMS, PROBABILITY, AND
DISTRIBUTIONS
18: MONTE CARLO SIMULATION
19: SAMPLING AND CONFIDENCE
20: UNDERSTANDING EXPERIMENTAL DATA
21: RANDOMIZED TRIALS AND HYPOTHESIS CHECKING
22: LIES, DAMNED LIES, AND STATISTICS
23: EXPLORING DATA WITH PANDAS
24: A QUICK LOOK AT MACHINE LEARNING
25: CLUSTERING
26: CLASSIFICATION METHODS
PYTHON 3.8 QUICK REFERENCE
INDEX

List of figures

Chapter 1
Figure 1-1 Flowchart of getting dinner
Chapter 2
Figure 2-1 Anaconda startup window
Figure 2-2 Spyder window
Figure 2-3 Operators on types int and float
Figure 2-4 Binding of variables to objects
Figure 2-5 Flowchart for conditional statement
Figure 2-6 Flowchart for iteration
Figure 2-7 Squaring an integer, the hard way
Figure 2-8 Hand simulation of a small program
Figure 2-9 Using a for statement
Chapter 3
Figure 3-1 Using exhaustive enumeration to find the cube root
Figure 3-2 Using exhaustive enumeration to test primality
Figure 3-3 A more efficient primality test
Figure 3-4 Approximating the square root using exhaustive
enumeration
Figure 3-5 Using bisection search to approximate square root
Figure 3-6 Using bisection search to estimate log base 2
Figure 3-7 Implementation of Newton–Raphson method
Chapter 4
Figure 4-1 Using bisection search to approximate square root
of x
Figure 4-2 Summing a square root and a cube root
Figure 4-3 A function for finding roots
Figure 4-4 Code to test find_root
Figure 4-5 Nested scopes
Figure 4-6 Stack frames
Figure 4-7 A function definition with a specification
Figure 4-8 Splitting find_root into multiple functions
Figure 4-9 Generalizing bisection_solve
Figure 4-10 Using bisection_solve to approximate logs
Chapter 5
Figure 5-1 Two lists
Figure 5-2 Two lists that appear to have the same value, but
don't
Figure 5-3 Demonstration of mutability
Figure 5-4 Common methods associated with lists
Figure 5-5 Applying a function to elements of a list
Figure 5-6 Common operations on sequence types
Figure 5-7 Comparison of sequence types
Figure 5-8 Some methods on strings
Figure 5-9 Translating text (badly)
Figure 5-10 Some common operations on dicts
Chapter 6
Figure 6-1 Iterative and recursive implementations of factorial
Figure 6-2 Growth in population of female rabbits
Figure 6-3 Recursive implementation of Fibonacci sequence
Figure 6-4 Palindrome testing
Figure 6-5 Code to visualize palindrome testing
Figure 6-6 Using a global variable
Chapter 7
Figure 7-1 Some code related to circles and spheres
Figure 7-2 Common functions for accessing files
Chapter 8
Figure 8-1 Testing boundary conditions
Figure 8-2 Not the first bug
Figure 8-3 Program with bugs
Chapter 9
Figure 9-1 Using exceptions for control flow
Figure 9-2 Control flow without a try-except
Figure 9-3 Get grades
Chapter 10
Figure 10-1 Class Int_set
Figure 10-2 Using magic methods
Figure 10-3 Class Person
Figure 10-4 Class MIT_person
Figure 10-5 Two kinds of students
Figure 10-6 Class Grades
Figure 10-7 Generating a grade report
Figure 10-8 Information hiding in classes
Figure 10-9 New version of get_students
Figure 10-10 Mortgage base class
Figure 10-11 Mortgage subclasses
Chapter 11
Figure 11-1 Using exhaustive enumeration to approximate
square root
Figure 11-2 Using bisection search to approximate square root
Figure 11-3 Asymptotic complexity
Figure 11-4 Implementation of subset test
Figure 11-5 Implementation of list intersection
Figure 11-6 Generating the power set
Figure 11-7 Constant, logarithmic, and linear growth
Figure 11-8 Linear, log-linear, and quadratic growth
Figure 11-9 Quadratic and exponential growth
Chapter 12
Figure 12-1 Implementing lists
Figure 12-2 Linear search of a sorted list
Figure 12-3 Recursive binary search
Figure 12-4 Selection sort
Figure 12-5 Merge sort
Figure 12-6 Sorting a list of names
Visit https://ebookmass.com today to explore
a vast collection of ebooks across various
genres, available in popular formats like
PDF, EPUB, and MOBI, fully compatible with
all devices. Enjoy a seamless reading
experience and effortlessly download high-
quality materials in just a few simple steps.
Plus, don’t miss out on exciting offers that
let you access a wealth of knowledge at the
best prices!
Figure 12-7 Implementing dictionaries using hashing
Chapter 13
Figure 13-1 A simple plot
Figure 13-2 Contents of Figure-Jane.png (left) and Figure-
Addie.png (right)
Figure 13-3 Produce plots showing compound growth
Figure 13-4 Plots showing compound growth
Figure 13-5 Another plot of compound growth
Figure 13-6 Strange-looking plot
Figure 13-7 Class Mortgage with plotting methods
Figure 13-8 Subclasses of Mortgage
Figure 13-9 Compare mortgages
Figure 13-10 Generate mortgage plots
Figure 13-11 Monthly payments of different kinds of mortgages
Figure 13-12 Cost over time of different kinds of mortgages
Figure 13-13 Balance remaining and net cost for different kinds
of mortgages
Figure 13-14 Simulation of spread of an infectious disease
Figure 13-15 Function to plot history of infection
Figure 13-16 Produce plot with a single set of parameters
Figure 13-17 Static plot of number of infections
Figure 13-18 Interactive plot with initial slider values
Figure 13-19 Interactive plot with changed slider values
Chapter 14
Figure 14-1 Table of items
Figure 14-2 Class Item
Figure 14-3 Implementation of a greedy algorithm
Figure 14-4 Using a greedy algorithm to choose items
Figure 14-5 Brute-force optimal solution to the 0/1 knapsack
problem
Figure 14-6 The bridges of Königsberg (left) and Euler's
simplified map (right)
Figure 14-7 Nodes and edges
Figure 14-8 Classes Graph and Digraph
Figure 14-9 Depth-first-search shortest-path algorithm
Figure 14-10 Test depth-first-search code
Figure 14-11 Breadth-first-search shortest path algorithm
Chapter 15
Figure 15-1 Tree of calls for recursive Fibonacci
Figure 15-2 Implementing Fibonacci using a memo
Figure 15-3 Table of items with values and weights
Figure 15-4 Decision tree for knapsack problem
Figure 15-5 Using a decision tree to solve a knapsack problem
Figure 15-6 Testing the decision tree-based implementation
Figure 15-7 Dynamic programming solution to knapsack
problem
Figure 15-8 Performance of dynamic programming solution
Chapter 16
Figure 16-1 An unusual farmer
Figure 16-2 Location and Field classes
Figure 16-3 Classes defining Drunks
Figure 16-4 The drunkard's walk (with a bug)
Figure 16-5 Distance from starting point versus steps taken
Figure 16-6 Subclasses of Drunk base class
Figure 16-7 Iterating over styles
Figure 16-8 Plotting the walks of different drunks
Figure 16-9 Mean distance for different kinds of drunks
Figure 16-10 Plotting final locations
Figure 16-11 Where the drunk stops
Figure 16-12 Tracing walks
Figure 16-13 Trajectory of walks
Figure 16-14 Fields with strange properties
Figure 16-15 A strange walk
Chapter 17
Figure 17-1 Roll die
Figure 17-2 Flipping a coin
Figure 17-3 Regression to the mean
Figure 17-4 Illustration of regression to mean
Figure 17-5 Plotting the results of coin flips
Figure 17-6 The law of large numbers at work
Figure 17-7 The law of large numbers at work
Figure 17-8 Variance and standard deviation
Figure 17-9 Helper function for coin-flipping simulation
Figure 17-10 Coin-flipping simulation
Figure 17-11 Convergence of heads/tails ratios
Figure 17-12 Absolute differences
Figure 17-13 Mean and standard deviation of heads - tails
Figure 17-14 Coefficient of variation
Figure 17-15 Final version of flip_plot
Figure 17-16 Coefficient of variation of heads/tails and
abs(heads – tails)
Figure 17-17 A large number of trials
Figure 17-18 Income distribution in Australia
Figure 17-19 Code and the histogram it generates
Figure 17-20 Plot histograms of coin flips
Figure 17-21 Histograms of coin flips
Figure 17-22 PDF for random.random
Figure 17-23 PDF for Gaussian distribution
Figure 17-24 A normal distribution
Figure 17-25 Plot of absolute value of x
Figure 17-26 Checking the empirical rule
Figure 17-27 Produce plot with error bars
Figure 17-28 Estimates with error bars
Figure 17-29 Exponential clearance of molecules
Figure 17-30 Exponential decay
Figure 17-31 Plotting exponential decay with a logarithmic axis
Figure 17-33 A geometric distribution
Figure 17-32 Producing a geometric distribution
Figure 17-34 Simulating a hash table
Figure 17-35 World Series simulation
Figure 17-36 Probability of winning a 7-game series
Chapter 18
Figure 18-1 Checking Pascal's analysis
Figure 18-2 Craps_game class
Figure 18-3 Simulating a craps game
Figure 18-4 Using table lookup to improve performance
Figure 18-5 Unit circle inscribed in a square
Figure 18-6 Estimating π
Chapter 19
Figure 19-1 The first few lines in bm_results2012.csv
Figure 19-2 Read data and produce plot of Boston Marathon
Figure 19-3 Boston Marathon finishing times
Figure 19-4 Sampling finishing times
Figure 19-5 Analyzing a small sample
Figure 19-6 Effect of variance on estimate of mean
Figure 19-7 Compute and plot sample means
Figure 19-8 Sample means
Figure 19-9 Estimating the mean of a continuous die
Figure 19-10 An illustration of the CLT
Figure 19-11 Produce plot with error bars
Figure 19-12 Estimates of finishing times with error bars
Figure 19-13 Standard error of the mean
Figure 19-14 Sample standard deviation vs. population
standard deviation
Figure 19-15 Sample standard deviations
Figure 19-16 Estimating the population mean 10,000 times
Chapter 20
Figure 20-1 A classic experiment
Figure 20-2 Extracting the data from a file
Figure 20-3 Plotting the data
Figure 20-4 Displacement of spring
Figure 20-5 Fitting a curve to data
Figure 20-6 Measured points and linear model
Figure 20-7 Linear and cubic fits
Figure 20-8 Using the model to make a prediction
Figure 20-9 A model up to the elastic limit
Figure 20-10 Data from projectile experiment
Figure 20-11 Plotting the trajectory of a projectile
Figure 20-12 Plot of trajectory
Figure 20-13 Computing R2
Figure 20-14 Computing the horizontal speed of a projectile
Figure 20-15 Fitting a polynomial curve to an exponential
distribution
Figure 20-16 Fitting an exponential
Figure 20-17 An exponential on a semilog plot
Figure 20-18 Using polyfit to fit an exponential
Figure 20-19 A fit for an exponential function
Chapter 21
Figure 21-1 Finishing times for cyclists
Figure 21-2 January 2020 temperature difference from the
1981-2010 average145
Figure 21-3 Plotting a t-distribution
Figure 21-4 Visualizing the t-statistic
Figure 21-5 Compute and print t-statistic and p-value
Figure 21-6 Code for generating racing examples
Figure 21-7 Probability of p-values
Figure 21-8 Lyndsay's simulation of games
Figure 21-9 Correct simulation of games
Figure 21-10 Impact of sample size on p-value
Figure 21-11 Comparing mean finishing times for selected
countries
Figure 21-12 Checking multiple hypotheses
Figure 21-13 Has the sun exploded?
Chapter 22
Figure 22-1 Housing prices in the U.S. Midwest
Figure 22-2 Plotting housing prices
Figure 22-3 A different view of housing prices
Figure 22-4 Housing prices relative to $200,000
Figure 22-5 Comparing number of Instagram followers
Figure 22-6 Do Mexican lemons save lives?
Figure 22-7 Statistics for Anscombe's quartet
Figure 22-8 Data for Anscombe's quartet
Figure 22-9 Welfare vs. full-time jobs
Figure 22-10 Sea ice in the Arctic
Figure 22-11 Growth of Internet usage in U.S.
Figure 22-12 Professor puzzles over students' chalk-throwing
accuracy
Figure 22-13 Probability of 48 anorexics being born in June
Figure 22-14 Probability of 48 anorexics being born in some
month
Chapter 23
Figure 23-1 A sample Pandas DataFrame bound to the variable
wwc
Figure 23-2 An example CSV file
Figure 23-3 Building a dictionary mapping years to
temperature data
Figure 23-4 Building a DataFrame organized around years
Figure 23-5 Produce plots relating year to temperature
measurements
Figure 23-6 Mean and minimum annual temperatures
Figure 23-7 Rolling average minimum temperatures
Figure 23-8 Average temperatures for select cities
Figure 23-9 Variation in temperature extremes
Figure 23-10 Global consumption of fossil fuels
Chapter 24
Figure 24-1 Two sets of names
Figure 24-2 Associating a feature vector with each name
Figure 24-3 Feature vector/label pairs for presidents
Figure 24-4 Name, features, and labels for assorted animals
Figure 24-5 Visualizing distance metrics
Figure 24-6 Minkowski distance
Figure 24-7 Class Animal
Figure 24-8 Build table of distances between pairs of animals
Figure 24-9 Distances between three animals
Figure 24-10 Distances between four animals
Figure 24-11 Distances using a different feature representation
Chapter 25
Figure 25-1 Height, weight, and shirt color
Figure 25-2 Class Example
Figure 25-3 Class Cluster
Figure 25-4 K-means clustering
Figure 25-5 Finding the best k-means clustering
Figure 25-6 A test of k-means
Figure 25-7 Examples from two distributions
Figure 25-8 Lines printed by a call to contrived_test(1, 2, True)
Figure 25-9 Generating points from three distributions
Figure 25-10 Points from three overlapping Gaussians
Figure 25-11 Mammal dentition in dentalFormulas.csv
Figure 25-12 Read and process CSV file
Figure 25-13 Scaling attributes
Figure 25-14 Start of CSV file classifying mammals by diet
Figure 25-15 Relating clustering to labels
Chapter 26
Figure 26-1 Plots of voter preferences
Figure 26-2 Confusion matrices
Figure 26-3 A more complex model
Figure 26-4 Functions for evaluating classifiers
Figure 26-5 First few lines of bm_results2012.csv
Figure 26-6 Build examples and divide data into training and
test sets
Figure 26-7 Finding the k-nearest neighbors
Figure 26-8 Prevalence-based classifier
Figure 26-9 Searching for a good k
Figure 26-10 Choosing a value for k
Figure 26-11 Linear regression models for men and women
Figure 26-12 Produce and plot linear regression models
Figure 26-13 Using linear regression to build a classifier
Figure 26-14 Using sklearn to do multi-class logistic regression
Figure 26-15 Example of two-class logistic regression
Figure 26-16 Use logistic regression to predict gender
Figure 26-17 Construct ROC curve and find AUROC
Figure 26-18 ROC curve and AUROC
Figure 26-19 Class Passenger
Figure 26-20 Read Titanic data and build list of examples207
Figure 26-21 Test models for Titanic survival
Figure 26-22 Print statistics about classifiers
 PREFACE

This book is based on courses that have been offered at MIT since
2006, and as “Massive Online Open Courses” (MOOCs) through edX
and MITx since 2012. The first edition of the book was based on a
single one-semester course. However, over time I couldn't resist
adding more material than could be fit into a semester. The current
edition is suitable for either a two-semester or a three-quarter
introductory computer science sequence.
The book is aimed at 1) readers with little or no prior
programming experience who have a desire to understand
computational approaches to problem solving, and 2) more
experienced programmers who want to learn how to use
computation to model things or explore data.
We emphasize breadth rather than depth. The goal is to provide
readers with a brief introduction to many topics, so that they will
have an idea of what's possible when the time comes to think about
how to use computation to accomplish a goal. That said, this is not a
“computation appreciation” book. It is challenging and rigorous.
Readers who wish to really learn the material will have to spend a lot
of time and effort learning to bend the computer to their will.
The main goal of this book is to help readers become skillful at
making productive use of computational techniques. They should
learn to use computational modes of thoughts to frame problems, to
build computational models, and to guide the process of extracting
information from data. The primary knowledge they will take away
from this book is the art of computational problem solving.
We chose not to include problems at the end of chapters. Instead
we inserted “finger exercises” at opportune points within the
Visit https://ebookmass.com today to explore
a vast collection of ebooks across various
genres, available in popular formats like
PDF, EPUB, and MOBI, fully compatible with
all devices. Enjoy a seamless reading
experience and effortlessly download high-
quality materials in just a few simple steps.
Plus, don’t miss out on exciting offers that
let you access a wealth of knowledge at the
best prices!
Other documents randomly have
different content
Nations, which we are bound to obey, not only for the sake of
others, but for the sake of ourselves. All other nations may be silent;
Count Bismarck may be taciturn; but we cannot afford to cry,
“Hush!” The evil example must be corrected, and the more swiftly
the better.
On this simple statement of International Law, it is evident that
there must be inquiry to see if through the misfeasance of officials
our Government has not in some way failed to comply with its
neutral duties. Subordinates in England are charged with allowing
the escape of the Alabama. Have any subordinates among us played
a similar part? It is of subordinates that I speak. Has the
Government suffered through them? Has their misfeasance, their
jobbery, their illicit dealing, compromised our country? Is there any
ring about the Ordnance Bureau through which our neutral duties
have been set at nought? Here I might stop without proceeding
further. The question is too grave to be blinked out of sight; it must
be met on the law and the facts.
In this presentation I do not argue. The case requires a statement
only. Beyond this I point to the honorable example which our
country has set in times past. The equity with which we have
discharged our neutral obligations has been the occasion of constant
applause. Mr. Ward, the accomplished historian of the Law of
Nations, and also of a treatise on the “Rights and Duties of
Belligerent and Neutral Powers,” which Chancellor Kent says
“exhausted all the law and learning applicable to the question,”[12]
wrote in 1801, four years after Washington’s retirement:—
“Of the great trading nations, America is almost the
only one that has shown consistency of principle. The
firmness and thorough understanding of the Laws of
Nations, which during this war [the French Revolution]
she has displayed, must forever rank her high in the
scale of enlightened communities.”[13]
 Another English writer, Sir Robert Phillimore, author of the
comprehensive work on International Law, speaks of the conduct of
the United States as, “under the most trying circumstances, marked
not only by a perfect consistency, but by preference for duty and
right over interest and the expediency of the moment.”[14] Then
again, in another place, the same English authority, after a summary
of our practice and jurisprudence in seizing and condemning vessels
captured in violation of neutrality, declares:—
“In these doctrines a severe, but a just, conception
of the duties and rights of neutrality appears to be
embodied.”[15]
An excellent French writer on International Law, Baron de Cussy,
remarks, on mentioning our course with reference to a steamer
purchased by Prussia in its war with Denmark in 1849,—
“It affords a genuine proof of respect for the
obligations of neutrality.”[16]
American loyalty to neutral duties received the homage of the
eminent orator and statesman Mr. Canning, who, from his place in
Parliament, said:—
“If I wished for a guide in a system of neutrality, I
should take that laid down by America in the days of
the Presidency of Washington and the Secretaryship of
Jefferson.”[17]
These testimonies may be fitly concluded by the words of Mr.
Rush, so long our Minister in England, who records with just pride
the honor accorded to our doctrines on neutral duties:—
“They are doctrines that will probably receive more
and more approbation from all nations as time goes
on, and continues to bring with it, as we may
reasonably hope, further meliorations to the code of
 war. They are as replete with international wisdom as
with American dignity and spirit.…
“Come what may in the future, we can never be
deprived of this inheritance. It is a proud and splendid
inheritance.”[18]
Such is the great and honest fame already achieved by our
Republic in upholding neutral duties. No victory in our history has
conferred equal renown. Surely you are not ready to forget the
precious inheritance. No, Sir, let us guard it as one of the best
possessions of our common country,—guard it loyally, so that it shall
continue without diminution or spot. Here there must be no
backward step. Not Backward, but Forward, must be our watchword
in the march of civilization.

I am now brought to that other branch of the subject which

concerns directly the conduct of our officials; and here my purpose is
to simplify the question. Therefore I shall avoid details, which have
occupied the Senate for days; and I put aside the apparent
discrepancy between the Annual Report of the War Department and
the Annual Report of the Treasurer, which has been satisfactorily
explained on this floor, so that this ground of inquiry is removed. I
bring the case to certain heads, which, taken together in their mass,
make it impossible for us to avoid inquiry, without leaving the
Government or some of its officials exposed to serious suspicion.
Now, as at the beginning, I make no accusation against any officer
of our Government,—none against the President, none against the
Secretary of War; but I exhibit reasons for the present proceeding.
The case naturally opens with the resolution of the Committee of
the French Assembly, asking the United States “to furnish the result
of the inquiry into the conduct of American officials who were
suspected of participating in the purchase of arms for the French
Government during the war.” This seems to have been adopted as
late as February 9th last past. At least it appears in the cable
dispatch of that date.[19] From this resolution three things are
manifest: first, that the sale of arms by our Government is occupying
the attention of the French Legislature; secondly, that American
officials are suspected of participating in the purchase for the French
Government; and, thirdly, that it is supposed that our Government
has instituted an inquiry into the case.
This resolution is, I believe, without precedent. I recall no other
instance where a foreign legislative assembly has made any inquiry
into the conduct of the officials of another country. If this were done
in an inimical or even a critical spirit, it might, perhaps, be dismissed
with indifference. But France, once in our history an all-powerful ally,
is now a friendly power, with which we are in the best relations. Any
movement on her part with regard to the conduct of our officials
must be received according to the rules of comity and good-will. It
cannot be disregarded. It ought to be anticipated. This resolution
alone would justify inquiry on our part.
Passing to evidence, I come to the telegraphic dispatch of Squire,
son-in-law and agent of Remington, actually addressed in French
cipher to the latter in France, under date of October 8, 1870.
Though brief, it is most important:—
“We have the strongest influences working for us,
which will use all their efforts to succeed.”
Considering the writer of this dispatch, his family and business
relations with Remington, to whom it was addressed, it is difficult to
regard it except as a plain revelation of actual facts. It was important
that Remington should know the precise condition of things. His son-
in-law and agent telegraphs that “the strongest influences” are at
work for them. What can this mean? Surely here is no broker or
arms-merchant, engaged in the course of business. It is something
else,—plainly something else. What? That is the point for inquiry. Mr.
Squire is an American citizen. Let him be examined and cross-
examined, under oath. Let him disclose what he meant by “the
strongest influences.” He could not have intended to deceive his
father-in-law, and puff himself. He was doubtless in earnest. Did he
deceive himself? On this he is a witness. But until those words are
so far explained as to show that they do not point to officials, the
natural inference is that it was on them that he relied,—that they
were “the strongest influences” by which the job was to be carried
through; for, of course, it was a job which he announced.
It cannot be doubted that this dispatch of Mr. Squire by itself
alone is enough to justify inquiry. Without the resolution of the
French Assembly, and without the supplementary testimony to be
adduced, it throws a painful suspicion upon our officials, which
should compel them to explain.
But the letter of Mr. Remington, already adduced,[20] carries this
suspicion still further, by adding his positive testimony that he dealt
with the Government. Before referring again to this testimony, it is
important to consider the character of the witness; and here we
have the authentication of the Secretary of War, who has
recommended and indorsed him, in a formal paper to be used in
France. Others may question the statements of Mr. Remington, but
no person speaking for the Secretary will hesitate to accept them. If
the testimony of the Secretary needed support, it would be found in
the open declarations on this floor by the Senator from New York
[Mr. Conkling], and in the following letter, which the Senator dated
from the Senate Chamber during the recess, when notoriously the
Senate was not in session:—
“Senate Chamber,
“Washington, D. C., November 17, 1871.

“My Dear Sir,—I learn with surprise that your

personal and commercial situation and the good name
of the house of Remington & Sons have been
questioned. Having known your father and sons for
many years, having lived within a stone-throw, so to
say, of your house for a number of years, and being
 one of the Senators of your State, I cannot hesitate to
give you my testimony relative to the accusations that
have, as has been told me, been brought against you
in France.
“As to what concerns personal situation, importance
of affairs, success, solvency, wealth, and fidelity to the
Government of the United States, your house has for a
long time occupied a front rank, not only in the State
of New York, but also in the Union.
“The allegation that you lack experience as a
manufacturer of arms, or in anything that can, as a
man of business, entitle you to respect, is, I can affirm
in all sincerity, destitute of foundation, and must
proceed from ignorance or malignity.
“Sincerely, your obedient servant,
“Roscoe Conkling.
“Mr. Samuel Remington.”

Thus does the Senator from New York vouch for the “good name”
of Mr. Remington.
Thus introduced, thus authenticated, and thus indorsed, Mr.
Remington cannot be rejected as a witness, especially when he
writes an official letter to the Chairman of the French Armament
Commission at Tours. You already know something of that letter,
dated at New York, December 13, 1870. My present object is to
show how, while announcing his large purchases of batteries, arms,
and cartridges, he speaks of dealing with Government always, and
not even with any intermediate agent.
Mr. Conkling. Will the Senator allow me there one
moment, as he has referred to me?
Mr. Sumner. Certainly.
 Mr. Conkling. He is engaged at this point, if I
understand him aright, in supporting Mr. Remington in
his character; and as the document from which he
made the translation of my letter also contains
stronger fortification in aid of the Senator and of Mr.
Remington, I beg to call attention to it. The Senator
might refer not only to my letter, but to letters written
by Governor Hoffman, ex-Governor Horatio Seymour,
Edwin D. Morgan, late a member of this body, General
John A. Dix, not unknown here, and other citizens of
the State of New York, who certify, I believe in
somewhat stronger terms than those I employed, to
the probity and standing of Mr. Remington.
Mr. Sumner. I am obliged to the Senator for the additional
testimony that he bears. It only fortifies the authority of Mr.
Remington, which was my object. I took the liberty of introducing
the letter of the Senator, because he is among us, and had vouched
for Mr. Remington personally. I gladly welcome the additional
evidence which the Senator introduces. It is entirely in harmony with
the case that I am presenting. I wish to show how Mr. Remington
was regarded by the Senator, by the Secretary of War, and by other
distinguished citizens,—so that, when he writes an official letter to
the Chairman of the Arms Committee of Tours, he cannot be
rejected as a witness.
The letter is long, and early in it the writer alludes to a credit from
France and certain instructions with regard to it, saying:—
“This we could not do, as a considerable portion had
been already paid out to the Government.”
Then coming to the purchase of breech-loading Springfield
muskets, he writes:—
“The Government has never made but about
seventy-five thousand, all told; and forty thousand is
 the greatest number they think it prudent to spare.”
In order to increase the number he proposed an exchange of his
own, and here he says:—
“This question of an exchange, with the very friendly
feeling I find existing to aid France, I hope to be able
to procure more.”
Where was “the very friendly feeling existing to aid France”? Not
among merchants, agents, or brokers. This would hardly justify the
important declaration with regard to a feeling which was so
efficacious.
Then comes the question of cartridges; and here the dealings with
the Government become still more manifest:—
“Cartridges for these forty thousand will in a great
measure require to be made, as the Government have
but about three millions on hand. But the Government
has consented to allow the requisite number, four
hundred for each gun, to be made, and the cartridge-
works have had orders, given yesterday, to increase
production to the full capacity of works.”
Observe here, if you please, the part performed by the
Government,—not only its consent to the manufacture, but the
promptitude of this consent. This was not easily accomplished, as
the well-indorsed witness testifies:—
“This question of making the cartridges at the
Government works was a difficult one to get over. But
it is done.”
Naturally difficult; but the agent of France overcame all obstacles.
Then as to price:—
“The price the Government will charge for the guns
and cartridges will be ——, or as near that as
 possible.”
Always “the Government”! Then comes another glimpse:—
“The forty thousand guns cannot all be shipped
immediately, as they are distributed in the various
arsenals throughout the country.”
That is, the Government arsenals.
Then appears one of our officials on the scene:—
“The Chief of Ordnance thinks it may take twenty to
thirty days before all could be brought in.”
Then again the witness reports:—
“The Chief of Ordnance estimates the cost of the
arms, including boxing and expense of freight to bring
them to New York, at $20.60 currency.”
Then as to the harness:—
“The Government have not full complete sets to the
extent of twenty-five hundred after selling the number
required for the fifty batteries.”
Always “the Government”!
Then, after mentioning that some parts of the harness are
wanting, he says:—
“I have made arrangements to have this deficiency
made good by either the Government or by outside
persons.”
But the Government does all it can:—
“In the mean time the Government have ordered the
harness to be sent here immediately.”
 Then at the close the witness says:—
“I forgot to say the Government have no Spencer
rifles, having never had but a small number, and all of
those you have bought.”
And he adds—
that “they have from three to four thousand
transformed Springfields,” which he “may think best to
take after examination,”—
showing again his intimate dealings with the Government.
Such is the testimony of Mr. Remington, the acknowledged agent
of France. It is impossible to read these repeated allusions to “the
Government” and “the Chief of Ordnance” without feeling that the
witness was dealing directly in this quarter. If there was any
middleman, he was of straw only; but a man-of-straw is nobody. If
Mr. Remington’s character were not vouched so completely, if he did
not appear on authentic testimony so entirely above any
misrepresentation, if he were not elevated to be the model arms-
dealer, this letter, with its numerous averments of relations with the
Government, would be of less significance. But how can these be
denied or explained without impeaching this witness?
But Mr. Remington is not without important support in his
allegations. His French correspondent, M. Le Cesne, Chairman of the
Armament Committee, has testified in open court that the French
dealt directly with the Government. He may have been mistaken; but
his testimony shows what he understood to be the case. The
Senator from Missouri [Mr. Schurz] has already called attention to
this testimony, which he cited from a journal enjoying great
circulation on the European continent, “L’Indépendance Belge.” The
Senator from Vermont, [Mr. Edmunds,] not recognizing the character
of this important journal, distrusted the report. But this testimony
does not depend upon that journal alone. I have it in another
journal, “Le Courrier des États-Unis,” of October 27, 1871, evidently
copied from a Parisian journal, probably one of the law journals,
where it is given according to the formal report of a trial, with
question and answer:—
“The Presiding Judge. Did not this indemnity of
twenty-five cents represent certain material expenses,
certain disbursements, incidental expenses?
“M. Le Cesne. We could not admit these expenses; for
we had an agreement with the American Federal
Government, which had engaged to deliver free on
board all the arms on account of France.”
Now I make no comment on this testimony except to remark that
it is in entire harmony with the letter of Mr. Remington, and that
beyond all doubt it was given in open court under oath, and duly
reported in the trial, so as to become known generally in Europe.
The position of M. Le Cesne gave it authority; for, beside his recent
experience as Chairman of the Arms Committee, he is known as a
former representative in the Assembly from the large town of Havre,
and also a resident for twenty years in the United States. In
confirmation of the value attached to this testimony, I mention that
my attention was first directed to it by Hon. Gustavus Koerner, of
Illinois, Minister of the United States at Madrid, under President
Lincoln.
To this cumulative testimony I add that already supplied by our
Minister at Berlin, under date of January 7, 1871, and published by
the Department of State, where it is distinctly said that “recently
rifled cannon and ammunition have been furnished to the French in
enormous quantities, not only by private American traders, but by
the War Department at Washington.” This I have already adduced
under another head.[21] It is mentioned now to show how the public
knowledge of Europe was in harmony with the other evidence.
There is another piece of testimony, which serves to quicken
suspicion. It is already admitted by the Secretary of War, that, after
refusing Mr. Remington because he was an agent of France, bids
were accepted from Thomas Richardson, who was in point of fact an
attorney-at-law at Ilion, and agent and attorney of Mr. Remington.
But the course of Mr. Remington, and his relations with this country
attorney, are not without official illustration. Since this debate began
I have received a copy of a law journal of Paris, “Le Droit, Journal
des Tribunaux,” of January 18, 1872, containing the most recent
judicial proceedings against the French Consul-General at New York.
Here I find an official report from the acting French Consul there,
addressed to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, under date of
August 25, 1871, where a fact is described which was authenticated
at the Consulate, being an affidavit or deposition before a notary by
a clerk of Mr. Remington, on which the report remarks:—
“This declaration establishing that this manufacturer
caused the books of his house to be recopied three
times, and in doing so altered the original form.”
The Report adds:—
“It is in this document that mention is made of the
character, I might say criminal, which the name of
Richardson appears to have assumed in the affairs of
Mr. Remington.”
After remarking that the witness who has thus testified has
exposed himself to the penalties of perjury, being several years of
imprisonment, the Report proceeds:—
“You see from this that the operations of Mr.
Remington give only too much of a glimpse of the
most audacious frauds.”
Here is testimony tending at least to stimulate inquiry: Mr.
Remington’s books altered three times, and the name of Richardson
playing a criminal part. I quote this from an official document, and
leave it.
 Here, then, are six different sources of testimony, all prompting
inquiry: first, the resolution of a committee of the French Assembly,
showing suspicion of American officials; secondly, the cable dispatch
of Squire, son-in-law and agent of Mr. Remington, declaring that “we
have the strongest influences working for us, which will use all their
efforts to succeed”; thirdly, the letter of Mr. Remington, reporting, in
various forms and repetitions, that he is dealing with the American
Government; fourthly, the testimony of M. Le Cesne, the Chairman
of the French Armament Committee, made in open court and under
oath, that the French “had an agreement with the American Federal
Government, which had engaged to deliver free on board all the
arms on account of France”; fifthly, the positive declaration of the
London “Times” in the face of Europe, and reported by our Minister
at Berlin, that rifled cannon and ammunition had been furnished to
the French in enormous quantities by the War Department at
Washington; and, sixthly, the testimony of a clerk of Mr. Remington,
authenticated by the French Consul-General at New York, that Mr.
Remington had altered his books three times, and also speaking of
the criminal character of Richardson in the affairs of Mr. Remington.
On this cumulative and concurring testimony from six different
sources is it not plain that there must be inquiry? The Senate cannot
afford to close its eyes. The resolution of the committee of the
French Assembly alone would be enough; but reinforced as it is from
so many different quarters, the case is irresistible. Not to inquire is
to set at defiance all rules of decency and common-sense.

To these successive reasons I add the evidence, which has been

much discussed, showing a violation of the statute authorizing the
sale of “the old cannon, arms, and other ordnance stores, now in
possession of the War Department, which are damaged or otherwise
unsuitable for the United States military service or for the militia of
the United States,”[22]—inasmuch as stores were sold which were not
“damaged” or “otherwise unsuitable.” I think no person can have
heard the debate without admitting that here at least is something
for careful investigation. The Senator from Missouri has already
exposed this apparent dereliction of duty, which in its excess ended
in actually disarming the country, so as to impair its defensive
capacity. One of the crimes of the Cabinet of Mr. Buchanan on the
eve of the Rebellion was that the North had been disarmed. It is
important to consider whether, in the strange greed for money or in
the misfeasance of subordinates, something similar was not done
when good arms were sold to France. The Chief of Ordnance, in his
last Annual Report, which will be found in the Report of the
Secretary of War, makes the following statement:—
“Now there are less than ten thousand breech-
loading muskets in the arsenals for issue. This number
of muskets is not half sufficient to supply the States
with the muskets they are now entitled to receive
under their apportionment of the permanent
appropriation for arming and equipping the militia.”
Why, then, were breech-loading muskets exchanged for French
gold? The Chief of Ordnance then proceeds:—
“This Department should, as soon as possible, be
placed in a condition to fill all proper requisitions by
the States upon it, and should also have on hand in
store a large number of breech-loading muskets and
carbines to meet any emergency that may arise.”
But these very breech-loading muskets have gone to France. The
Chief of Ordnance adds:—
“Ten years ago the country felt that not less than a
million of muskets should be kept in store in the
arsenals.”[23]
Why was not this remembered, when the arsenals were stripped
to supply France?
 This important testimony speaks for itself. It is not sufficient to
recount against it the arms actually in the national arsenals. The
Chief of Ordnance answers the allegation by his own statements. He
regrets the small number of breech-loading muskets on hand, and
refers as an example to the standard ten years ago, when it was felt
that a million of muskets should be kept in store. It is not I who say
this; it is the Chief of Ordnance.

But these several considerations, while making inquiry imperative,

do not touch the money question involved. If in the asserted
dealings with a belligerent power, in violation of our neutral duties,
there is reason to believe corrupt practices of any kind, if there are
large sums of money that seem to be unaccounted for, then is there
additional ground for inquiry. Two questions are presented: first, as
to the violation of neutral duties; and, secondly, as to misfeasance of
subordinates involving money. In both cases the question, I repeat,
is of inquiry.
I do not dwell now on the sums lost by France in this business.
They are supposed to count by the million; but here I make no
allegation. I allude only to what appears elsewhere.
Unquestionably there are enormous discrepancies between the
sums paid by France for arms actually identified as coming from our
arsenals and the sums received by our Ordnance Bureau. In
different reports these discrepancies assume different forms. Not to
repeat what has been said on other occasions, I introduce the report
of the acting French Consul at New York, dated August 25, 1871,
where, after showing that France received only 368,000 muskets
and 53,000,000 cartridges, while the accounts with Mr. Remington
enumerate a sum-total of 425,000 arms and 54,000,000 cartridges,
it is said:—
“Whence comes this difference of 57,000 between
the arms said to be sent from here and those which
 were received in France, if in fact the report of M.
Riant signifies that they have only received a total of
368,000? How explain that there were 425,000 put on
the bills of lading, and that the price of these was paid
in New York?”
Now this discrepancy may be traced exclusively to French agents,
so that our subordinates shall not in any way be involved; but when
we consider all the circumstances of this transaction, it affords
grounds of inquiry.
But there is another witness on this head, not before mentioned in
this debate. I have here an extract from the official report of M. de
Bellonet, the French Chargé d’Affaires at Washington, made to his
Government on this very question of losses down to a certain period.
His language is explicit: “The dry loss to the Treasury of France must
have been about $1,500,000, or seven million francs.” This, be it
remembered, is only a partial report down to a certain period. Now
there is nothing in this report to charge this “dry loss” upon our
officials. It may be that it was all absorbed by the intermediate
agents. But taken in connection with the telegram of Squire and the
abundant letter of Mr. Remington, it leaves a suspicion at least
adverse to our officials.
Sir, let me be understood. I do not believe that any inquiry by any
committee can give back to France any of the enormous sums she
has lost. They have already gone beyond recall into the portentous
mass of her terrible sacrifices destined to be an indefinite mortgage
on that interesting country. Not for the sake of France or of any
French claimant do I propose inquiry, but for our sake, for the sake
of our own country. We read of that vast Serbonian bog “where
armies whole have sunk.” It is important to know if there is any such
bog anywhere about our Ordnance Office, where millions whole have
sunk.
Investigation is the order of the day. Already in France, amid all
the anxieties of her distracted condition, these purchases of arms
have occupied much attention. As far back as last April, the “Soir,” a
journal at Versailles, where the Convention was sitting, called for
parliamentary inquiry. Its language was strong:—
“A parliamentary inquiry made in full day can alone
establish either the culpability of some or the perfect
honorableness of others.”
And the same French organ added:—
“The Chamber, in consigning this matter to its
pigeonholes, refused satisfaction to an awakened
public morality.”
There is, then, in France an awakened public morality, as we hope
there is also in the United States, which demands investigation
where there is suspicion of corrupt practices. The French Chamber
has instituted inquiry.

Mr. President, as a Republic, we are bound to the most strenuous

care, so that our example may not in any way suffer. If we fail, then
does Republican Government everywhere feel the shock. For the
sake of others as well as of ourselves must we guard our conduct.
How often do I insist that we cannot at any moment, or in any
transaction, forget these great responsibilities! As no man “liveth to
himself,” so no nation “liveth” to itself; especially is this the condition
of the Great Republic. By the very name it bears, and by its lofty
dedication to the rights of human nature, is it vowed to all those
things which contribute most to civilization, keeping its example
always above suspicion. That great political philosopher,
Montesquieu, announces that the animating sentiment of Monarchy
is “Honor,” but the animating sentiment of a Republic is “Virtue.”[24] I
would gladly accept this flattering distinction. Therefore, in the name
of that Virtue which should inspire our Government and keep it
forever above all suspicion, do I move this inquiry.
 On this whole matter the Senate will act as it thinks best, ordering
that investigation which the case requires. For myself I have but one
desire, which is, that this effort, begun in the discharge of a patriotic
duty, may redound to the good of our country, and especially to the
purity of the public service.

APPENDIX.
(A.) Page 15.
AUTHORITIES REFERRED TO IN SPEECH.
Wheaton, our great authority, in Lawrence’s edition, page 727,
quotes Vattel as laying down the rule of neutrality:—
“To give no assistance where there is no previous
stipulation to give it; nor voluntarily to furnish troops,
arms, ammunition, or anything of direct use in war.”
Vattel, as quoted, then says:—
“I do not say, To give assistance equally, but, To give
no assistance; for it would be absurd that a State
should assist at the same time two enemies.”—Le Droit
des Gens, Liv. III. ch. vii. § 104.
Another home authority, the late General Halleck, in his work on
International Law, after speaking of merchants engaged in selling
ships and munitions of war to a belligerent, says:—
“The act is wrong in itself, and the penalty results
from his violation of moral duty as well as of law. The
duties imposed upon the citizens and subjects flow
from exactly the same principle as those which attach
to the government of neutral States.”
He then says, quoting another:—
 “By these acts he makes himself personally a party
to a war in which, as a neutral, he had no right to
engage, and his property is justly treated as that of an
enemy.”—International Law, p. 631.
Our other home authority, Professor Woolsey, in his work on
International Law, section 162, says:—
“International Law does not require of the neutral
sovereign that he should keep the citizen or subject
within the same strict lines of neutrality which he is
bound to draw for himself.”—Introduction to the Study
of International Law, 2d edition, p. 270.
That is, a citizen may sell ships and arms to a belligerent and take
the penalty, but the Government cannot do any such thing.
Another authority of considerable weight, Bluntschli, the German,
lays down the rule as follows:—
“The neutral State must neither send troops to a
belligerent, nor put ships of war at its disposal, nor
furnish subsidies to aid it in making the war.
“In coming directly to the aid of one of the
belligerent powers by the sending of men or war
material, one takes part in the war.”—Droit
International Codifié, tr. Lardy, art. 757, p. 381.
There is the true principle: “By the sending of men or war material
one takes part in the war.”

But the most important illustration of this question, and the only
case bearing directly on this point, which, according to my
recollection, has ever been diplomatically discussed, is one
somewhat famous at the time, known as that of the Swedish Frigate,
which will be found in the second series of “Causes Célèbres,” by
Baron Charles de Martens.
It seems that in 1825, after ten years of peace, the Swedish
Government conceived the idea of parting with ships, some of them
more than twenty years old, as comparatively useless. A contract for
their sale was made with a commercial house in London. The
Spanish Government, by their minister at Stockholm, protested, on
the alleged ground, that, though nominally sold to merchants, they
were purchased for the revolted colonies in Mexico and South
America, and in his communication, dated the 1st of July, 1825, used
the following energetic language, which I translate:—
“And what would his Majesty the King of Sweden
think, on the supposition of the revolt of one of his
provinces,—of the kingdom of Norway for example,—if
friendly and allied powers furnished the rebels with
arms, munitions, a fleet even, through intermediate
speculators, and under pretence of not knowing the
result—
I translate literally,—
“intermediate speculators, and under pretence of not
knowing the result? Informed of these preparations,
would the Cabinet of Stockholm wait till the steel and
the cannon furnished to its enemies had mown down
its soldiers, till the vessels delivered to the rebels had
annihilated its commerce and desolated its coasts, to
protest against similar supplies, and to prevent them if
possible? And if the protests were rejected,
independently of every other measure, would it not
raise its voice throughout Europe, and at the courts of
all its allies, against this act of hostility, against this
violation of the rights of sovereignty, and against this
political scandal?”—Causes Célèbres, Tom. II. pp. 472-
73.
 These are strong words, but they only give expression to the
feelings naturally awakened in a Power that seemed to be imperilled
by such an act.
In another communication the same minister said to the Swedish
Government:—
“It is the doctrine of irresponsibility which the
Cabinet of Stockholm professes with regard to the sale
of these war vessels, which excites the most lively
representations on the part of the undersigned.”—Note
of 15 July 1825: Ibid., p. 480.
Mark the words, “the doctrine of irresponsibility.” Then, again, the
minister says in other words worthy of consideration at this moment:
—
“The Swedish Government on this occasion, creating
this new kind of commerce, determined to furnish
ships of war indiscriminately to every purchaser, even
to private individuals without guaranty,—establishing,
as it seems to indicate, that the commercial benefits of
these sales are for the State a necessity of an order
superior to political considerations the most elevated,
as to moral obligations the most respectable.”—Note of
9 September, 1825: Ibid., p. 486.
I ask if these words are not applicable to the present case? Did it
not become the Government of the United States at this time, when
making these large sales, almost gigantic, so that its suspicion was
necessarily aroused, to institute inquiry into the real character of the
purchaser? Was it not put on its guard? Every morning told us of war
unhappily raging in Europe. Could there be doubt that these large
purchases were for the benefit of one of the belligerents? Was our
Government so situated that for the sake of these profits it would
neglect political considerations called in this dispatch the most
elevated, as moral obligations the most respectable? Was it ready to
assume the responsibility characterized by the Spanish minister in a
case less plain, as “an act of hostility,” a “violation of the rights of
sovereignty,” a “political scandal”?
Welcome to our website – the ideal destination for book lovers and
knowledge seekers. With a mission to inspire endlessly, we offer a
vast collection of books, ranging from classic literary works to
specialized publications, self-development books, and children's
literature. Each book is a new journey of discovery, expanding
knowledge and enriching the soul of the reade

Our website is not just a platform for buying books, but a bridge
connecting readers to the timeless values of culture and wisdom. With
an elegant, user-friendly interface and an intelligent search system,
we are committed to providing a quick and convenient shopping
experience. Additionally, our special promotions and home delivery
services ensure that you save time and fully enjoy the joy of reading.

Let us accompany you on the journey of exploring knowledge and

personal growth!

ebookmass.com