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Quote#Politics & Power

I still feel great doubts about the acquisition in sovereignty of so…

Quote byRobert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh · 1769–1822

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Letter to Lord Liverpool (19 April 1814), quoted in Correspondence, Despatches, and Other Papers, of Viscount Castlereagh, Second Marquess of Londonderry. Third Series. Military and Diplomatic. Vol. IX., ed. Charles William Vane, Marquess of Londonderry (1852), pp. 474-475.

English (original)

I still feel great doubts about the acquisition in sovereignty of so many Dutch colonies. I am sure our reputation on the Continent, as a feature of strength, power, and confidence, is of more real moment to us than an acquisition thus made. The British merchants ought to be satisfied, if we secure them a direct import.

— Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh

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