4828. LOUISIANA, French possession of.—[further continued].
Whatever power, other
than ourselves, holds the country east of the
Mississippi becomes our natural enemy. Will
such a possession do France as much good,
as such an enemy may do her harm? And
how long would it be hers, were such an
enemy, situated at its door, added to Great
Britain? I confess, it appears to me as essential
to France to keep at peace with us,
as it is to us to keep at peace with her; and
that, if this cannot be secured without some
compromise as to the territory in question, it
will be useful for both to make some sacrifices
to effect the compromise.—
To Dupont de Nemours. Washington ed. iv, 458.
Ford ed., viii, 207.
(W.
Feb. 1803)
