Note 28 — XXXV THE FOREIGN RELATIONS OF THE WAR 1846–1848

Murphy, who seems to have been at this time in the most intimate relations with Aberdeen, reported (77no. 15, Oct. 1, 1845, muy res.): France, in accordance with her long-standing disposition and animosities, “would be capable not only of opposing the views of Great Britain, but even of going so far as to make common cause with the United States against her, forcing Louis Philippe to adopt this extreme course however repugnant it might be to him. It is therefore not strange that the British minister views with dread anything that might expose him to war with the United States without securing a perfect understanding in advance with France, not because he needs the aid of her physical strength in a conflict with those States, but to commit her in such a manner that her physical strength would not be added to that of the enemy, causing perhaps a general conflagration of incalculable consequences in the world.”