8408. TERRITORY, Purchases of Indian.—[continued]
——. The crisis is pressing:
whatever can now be obtained must be obtained
quickly. The occupation of New Orleans,
hourly expected, by the French, is already felt
like a light breeze by the Indians. You know
the sentiments they entertain of that nation;
under the hope of their protection they will immediately
stiffen against cessions of lands to us.
We had better, therefore, do at once what can
now be done. This letter is to be considered
as private. * * * You will perceive how sacredly
it must be kept within your own breast,
and especially how improper to be understood
by the Indians. For their interests and their
tranquillity, it is best they should see only the
present age of their history.—
To Governor Harrison. Washington ed. iv, 474.
(W.
Feb. 1803)
