eir decision. They may see the impolicy of insisting on particular
conditions, which, operating as grievances on us as well as on their
colonists, might produce a concert of action. I have thought it would
not be amiss to trust to Mr. Short the sentiments in the ciphered part
of the letter, leaving him to govern himself by circumstances, whether
to let them leak out at all or not, and whether so as that it may be
known or remain unknown that they come from us. A perfect knowledge of
his judgment and discretion leaves me entirely satisfied, that they will
be not used, or so used as events shall render proper. But if you think
that the possibility that harm may be done, overweighs the chance of
good, I would expunge them, as, in cases of doubt, it is better to say
too little than too much.

I have the honor to be, with the most perfect respect and attachment,
Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXXI.--TO GENERAL KNOX, August 10, 1791

TO GENERAL KNOX.

Philadelphia, August 10, 1791.

Dear Sir,

I have now the honor to return you the petition of Mr. Moultrie on
behalf of the South Carolina Yazoo company. Without noticing that some
of the highest functions of sovereignty are assumed in the very papers
which he annexes as his justification, I am of opinion that government
should firmly maintain this ground; that the Indians have a right to
the occupation of their lands, independent of the States within whose
chartered lines they happen to be; that until they cede them by treaty
or other transaction equivalent to a treaty, no act of a State can give
a right to such lands; that neither under the present constitution, nor
the ancient confederation, had any State or person a right to treat with
the Indians, without the consent of the General Government; that that
consent has never been given to any treaty for the cession of the lands
in question; that the government is determined to exert all its energy
for the patronage and protection of the rights of the Indians, and the
preservation of peace between the United States and them and that if any
settlements are made on lands not ceded by them, without the previous
consent of the United States, the government will think itself bound,
not only to declare to the Indians that such settlements are without the
authority or protection of the United States, but to remove them also by
the public force.

It is in compliance with your r