University of Virginia Library

TO CHARLES PINCKNEY

My last was of the 30th of March. We are still without a line
from you since your arrival at Madrid, and feel an increasing
solicitude to hear from you on the subject of Louisiana. The
latest information from Paris has confirmed the fact that it
was ceded by a Treaty prior to that of March 1801; and notwithstanding
the virtual denial of the cession in the early
conversations between Mr. Livingston and the Minister of Foreign
relations, a refusal of any explanations at present, seems
to admit that the cession has taken place. Still there are
chances of obtaining a reversal of the transaction. The repugnance
of the United States to it is and will be pressed in a
manner that cannot be without some effect. It is known
that most of the French statesmen best informed on the
subject, disapprove of it. The pecuniary difficulty of the
French Government must also be felt as a check; whilst the
prospect of a protracted and expensive war in St. Domingo
must form a very powerful obstacle to the execution of the
project. The Counsels of England appear to have been torpid

on this occasion. Whether it proceed from an unwillingness
to risk a fresh altercation with France, or from a hope that
such a neighbourhood between France and the United States
would lead to collisions which might be turned to her advantage,
is more than I can decide. The latter consideration
might justly have great weight with her, but as her eyes may
be more readily turned to the immediate and certain purposes
to be answered to her rival, it is to be presumed, that, the
policy of England will contribute to thwart the acquisition.
What the intentions of Spain may be, we want to learn from
you. Verbal information from inofficial sources has led us
to infer that she disowns the instrument of Cession, and will
vigourously oppose it. Should the Cession actually fail from
this or any other cause, and Spain retain New Orleans and the
Floridas, I repeat to you the wish of the President that every
effort and address be employed to obtain the arrangement by
which the Territory on the East side of the Mississippi including
New Orleans may be ceded to the United States, and the
Mississippi made a common boundary, with a common use of
its navigation, for them and Spain. The inducements to be
held out to Spain, were intimated in your original instructions
on this point. I am charged by the President now to add, that
you may not only receive and transmit a proposition of guaranty
of her territory beyond the Mississippi, as a condition
of her ceding to the United States the Territory including
New Orleans on this side; but, in case it be necessary may
make the proposition yourself, in the forms required by our
Constitution. You will infer from this enlargement of your
authority, how much importance is attached to the object in
question, as securing a precious acquisition to the United
States, as well as a natural and quiet boundary with Spain;
and will derive from this consideration additional motives
to discharge with a prudent zeal the task committed to you.