“Although it does not accord with the general sentiments or views of the United States to intermeddle [sic] in the domestic contests of other countries, it cannot be unfair, in the prosecution of a just war, or the accomplishment of a reasonable peace, to turn to their advantage, the enmity and pretensions of others against a common foe.”
So wrote James Madison, justifying the decision to commission William Eaton to topple Yusuf Karamanli, pasha of Tripoli, and replace him with his brother Hamid.
For something that goes against the “general sentiments or views of the United States,” it sure seems to happen a lot.
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