Never waste a crisis, never leave unexploited goodwill

From the excellent Perilous Fight by Stephen Budiansky, an account of the naval aspects of the War of 1812. Page 208. Some things never change - never waste a crisis, never leave unexploited goodwill.

“Among the inheritances left by Paul Hamilton to his successor was the ironic one of having finally persuaded Congress to approve the first new warship construction in a decade. Hamilton and his captains were keenly aware that their sudden successes at sea had produced a political opportunity that needed to be turned to advantage at once. Hull, in Washington for the opening of the congressional session at the end of 1812, made the rounds lobbying with all the power of his new celebrity. “The Navy is now up,” Hull remarked, “and if nothing is done this session it never will be worth remaining any longer.”