2304. DUPONT DE NEMOURS, Louisiana Purchase and.—
The confidence which
the government of France reposes in you, will
undoubtedly give great weight to your information
[with respect to Louisiana]. An equal confidence
on our part, founded on your knowledge
of the subject, your just views of it, your good
dispositions towards this country, and my long
experience of your personal faith and friendship,
assure me that you will render between us
all the good offices in your power. The interests
of the two countries being absolutely
the same as to this matter, your aid may be
conscientiously given. It will often, perhaps,
be possible for you, having a freedom of communication,
omnibus horis, which diplomatic
gentlemen will be excluded from by forms, to
smooth difficulties by representations and reasonings,
which would be received with more
suspicion from them. You will thereby render
great good to both countries.—
To P. S. Dupont de Nemours. Washington ed. iv, 457.
Ford ed., viii, 205.
(W.
Feb. 1803)
