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physical and moral faculties of man。 This has ever been a subject of
great interest to the inquisitive mind； and it could not have got
into better hands for discussion than yours。 That thought may be a
faculty of our material organization； has been believed in the gross；
and though the 〃modus operandi〃 of nature； in this； as in most other
cases； can never be developed and demonstrated to beings limited as
we are； yet I feel confident you will have conducted us as far on the
road as we can go； and have lodged us within reconnoitering distance
of the citadel itself。 While _here_； I have time to read nothing。
But our annual recess for the months of August and September is now
approaching； during which time I shall be at the Montrials； where I
anticipate great satisfaction in the presence of these volumes。 It
is with great satisfaction； too； I recollect the agreeable hours I
have past with yourself and M。 de La Roche； at the house of our late
excellent friend； Madame Helvetius； and elsewhere； and I am happy to
learn you continue your residence there。 Antevil always appeared to
me a delicious village； and Madame Helvetius's the most delicious
spot in it。 In those days how sanguine we were！ and how soon were
the virtuous hopes and confidence of every good man blasted！ and how
many excellent friends have we lost in your efforts towards
self…government； _et cui bono_？ But let us draw a veil over the
dead； and hope the best for the living。 If the hero who has saved
you from a combination of enemies； shall also be the means of giving
you as great a portion of liberty as the opinions； habits and
character of the nation are prepared for； progressive preparation may
fit you for progressive portions of that first of blessings； and you
may in time attain what we erred in supposing could be hastily seized
and maintained； in the present state of political information among
your citizens at large。 In this way all may end well。
You are again at war； I find。 But we； I hope； shall be
permitted to run the race of peace。 Your government has wisely
removed what certainly endangered collision between us。 I now see
nothing which need ever interrupt the friendship between France and
this country。 Twenty years of peace； and the prosperity so visibly
flowing from it； have but strengthened our attachment to it； and the
blessings it brings； and we do not despair of being always a
peaceable nation。 We think that peaceable means may be devised of
keeping nations in the path of justice towards us； by making justice
their interest； and injuries to react on themselves。 Our distance
enables us to pursue a course which the crowded situation of Europe
renders perhaps impracticable there。
Be so good as to accept for yourself and M。 de La Roche； my
friendly salutations； and assurances of great consideration and
respect。
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE
_To John C。 Breckinridge_
_Monticello； Aug。 12； 1803_
DEAR SIR； The enclosed letter； tho' directed to you； was
intended to me also； and was left open with a request； that when
perused； I would forward it to you。 It gives me occasion to write a
word to you on the subject of Louisiana； which being a new one； an
interchange of sentiments may produce correct ideas before we are to
act on them。
Our information as to the country is very incompleat； we have
taken measures to obtain it in full as to the settled part； which I
hope to receive in time for Congress。 The boundaries； which I deem
not admitting question； are the high lands on the western side of the
Missisipi enclosing all it's waters； the Missouri of course； and
terminating in the line drawn from the northwestern point of the Lake
of the Woods to the nearest source of the Missipi； as lately settled
between Gr Britain and the U S。 We have some claims； to extend on
the sea coast Westwardly to the Rio Norte or Bravo； and better； to go
Eastwardly to the Rio Perdido； between Mobile & Pensacola； the
antient boundary of Louisiana。 These claims will be a subject of
negociation with Spain； and if； as soon as she is at war； we push
them strongly with one hand； holding out a price in the other； we
shall certainly obtain the Floridas； and all in good time。 In the
meanwhile； without waiting for permission； we shall enter into the
exercise of the natural right we have always insisted on with Spain；
to wit； that of a nation holding the upper part of streams； having a
right of innocent passage thro' them to the ocean。 We shall prepare
her to see us practise on this； & she will not oppose it by force。
Objections are raising to the Eastward against the vast extent
of our boundaries； and propositions are made to exchange Louisiana；
or a part of it； for the Floridas。 But； as I have said； we shall get
the Floridas without； and I would not give one inch of the waters of
the Mississippi to any nation； because I see in a light very
important to our peace the exclusive right to it's navigation； & the
admission of no nation into it； but as into the Potomak or Delaware；
with our consent & under our police。 These federalists see in this
acquisition the formation of a new confederacy； embracing all the
waters of the Missipi； on both sides of it； and a separation of it's
Eastern waters from us。 These combinations depend on so many
circumstances which we cannot foresee； that I place little reliance
on them。 We have seldom seen neighborhood produce affection among
nations。 The reverse is almost the universal truth。 Besides； if it
should become the great interest of those nations to separate from
this； if their happiness should depend on it so strongly as to induce
them to go through that convulsion； why should the Atlantic States
dread it？ But especially why should we； their present inhabitants；
take side in such a question？ When I view the Atlantic States；
procuring for those on the Eastern waters of the Missipi friendly
instead of hostile neighbors on it's Western waters； I do not view it
as an Englishman would the procuring future blessings for the French
nation； with whom he has no relations of blood or affection。 The
future inhabitants of the Atlantic & Missipi States will be our sons。
We leave them in distinct but bordering establishments。 We think we
see their happiness in their union； & we wish it。 Events may prove
it otherwise； and if they see their interest in separation； why
should we take side with our Atlantic rather than our Missipi
descendants？ It is the elder and the younger son differing。 God
bless them both； & keep them in union； if it be for their good； but
separate them； if it be better。 The inhabited part of Louisiana；
from Point Coupee to the sea； will of course be immediately a
territorial government； and soon a State。 But above that； the best
use we can make of the country for some time； will be to give
establishments in it to