5074. MARKETS, Foreign.—
We have
hitherto respected the indecision of Spain
[with respect to the navigation of the Mississippi],
* * * because our western citizens
have had vent at home for their productions.
A surplus of production begins
now to demand foreign markets. Whenever
they shall say, “We cannot, we will not, be
longer shut up”, the United States will be
reduced to the following dilemma: 1. To
force them to acquiescence. 2. To separate
from them rather than take part in a war
against Spain. 3. Or to preserve them in
our Union, by joining them in the war.
* * * The third is the alternative we must
adopt.—
Instructions to William Carmichael. Washington ed. ix, 412.
Ford ed., v, 226.
(1799)
