5302. MISSISSIPPI TERRITORY, Government of.—
As to the people you are to
govern, we are apprised that they are divided
into two adverse parties, the one composed of
the richer and better informed, attached to the
first grade of government, the other of the body
of the people, not a very homogeneous mass,
advocates for the second grade which they possess
in fact. Our love of freedom, and the
value we set on self-government dispose us
to prefer the principles of the second grade,
and they are strengthened by knowing they
are [faded in MS.] by the will of the majority.
While cooperation with that plan, therefore, is
essentially to be observed, your best endeavors
should be exerted to bring over those opposed
to it by every means soothing and conciliatory.
The happiness of society depends so much on
preventing party spirit from infecting the common
intercourse of life, that nothing should be
spared to harmonize and amalgamate the two
parties in social circles.—
To William C. Claiborne.
Ford ed., viii, 71.
(W.
July. 1801)
See Louisiana.
