Knickerbocker's History of New York Vol. 2 Book V Chapter IV

In which the nature of war is examined with a philosophic eye, tracing its evolution from primitive brute force to the refined and intricate artifices of modern conflict, while diplomacy is portrayed as a clever but often deceptive dance of negotiations that rarely culminate in lasting peace. The narrative contemplates the paradoxical and precarious relation between treaties and hostilities, suggesting that formal agreements may, contrary to their intent, breed discord and pave the way to renewed strife.