ever have attained. These
will prepare them to meet and decide on every form of proposition which
can occur, without awaiting new instructions from hence, which
might draw to an indefinite length a discussion where circumstances
imperiously oblige us to a prompt decision. For the occlusion of the
Mississippi is a state of things in which we cannot exist. He goes,
therefore, joined with Chancellor Livingston, to aid in the issue of a
crisis the most important the United States have ever met since their
independence, and which is to decide their future character and career.
The confidence which the government of France reposes in you, will
undoubtedly give great weight to your information. 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, assures 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. For our circumstances are so imperious as to admit of no
delay as to our course; and the use of the Mississippi so indispensable,
that we cannot hesitate one moment to hazard our existence for its
maintenance. If we fail in this effort to put it beyond the reach of
accident, we see the destinies we have to run, and prepare at once
for them. Not but that we shall still endeavor to go on in peace and
friendship with our neighbors as long as we can, if our rights of
navigation and deposite are respected; but as we foresee that the
caprices of the local officers, and the abuse of those rights by our
boatmen and navigators, which neither government can prevent, will keep
up a state of irritation which cannot long be kept inactive, we should
be criminally improvident not to take at once eventual measures for
strengthening ourselves for the contest. It may be said, if this object
be so all-important to us, why do we not offer such a sum as to insure
its purchase? The answer is simple. We are an agricultural people,
poor in money, a