5244. MINES, Silver.—[continued].
With respect to the silver
mine on the Platte, 1700 miles from St.
Louis, I will observe that in the present state
of things between us and Spain, we could not
propose to make an establishment at that distance
from all support. It is interesting, however,
that the knowledge of its position should
be preserved, which can be done either by confiding
it to the government, who will certainly
never make use of it without an honorable compensation
for the discovery to yourself or your
representatives, or by placing it wherever you
think safest.—
To Anthony G. Bettay. Washington ed. v, 246.
(W.
1808)
