Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1802-06-26
BOSTON. June II.
Farfbey Rsmarks on LOUISIANA.

ouppofng the French were I'D take poiici-
iion OF this colony, seeeably to their tsesry
with the Spaniards, az they have an undoubted
right 10 do or. fuppofing they do xsf, what
then Why then things in that quarter will
remain prccifely az they are at prcicnt. At any
rate there cannot be the Icsit occsfion for more
anxiety or concern 10 the former event than in
the latter. The brave, Respectable ycoman Of
Mahachuletis, need not be informed that this
famc country was once occupied by the French,
and was by them ceded to the Spaniards; nor
that in the whole Of that time, they made bur
little progreis in improvement or population.
To conceive 70 accomplished ftaiefman
as Bonaparte would win to fend the flower Of
that heroic and invinciblc army, which has
broken in pieces the late ariRocraric coalitions
sgsinit the Tcpnblic OF France, TO moulder away
10 the fogs Of Ls~jfasa +; or. that a legina,ure
10 enlightened az theirs, would content TO their
going, Is too abfurd an opinion even to be re-
futed. Nor 10 it a lighf motive that would in
doce the French citizens, who appear happy at
home, in the mida Of every thing that Is allur-
ing and attractive in fociety, to fcek their for
tunes in the woods and marines of thar un-
wholefomc country.
1t 10 the weakness or wickednefs of the fed
eraIJfS to infult the common fenfe of the CON-
mnnity. by trying perpetuslly to play on their
credu.ity. The public are treated by them, az
unfkilful mothers treat their children, when
they attempt to frightcn them. This gams has
been played over and over again, from the arri-
val Of Peter Po,expixr, the late trumpeter Of that
party, i~ America. TO the prefent day.
Let ~ then examine this new ks6Po6iin,
this affair OF Losjfax0, more sttentivcly and il
viii require but moment TO difcern the folly OF
thofe who believe in thing of this kind being
Of the leaR confequence thar would be hurtfuI
to this country. We mutt at all events, and At
no diRant period, cover the continent as far as
the Mi1ihppi. and fecure the unmole0ed navi-
CATION OF that river. to which we have right
by treaty. The population of the United
States has acquired fuch an impofng quantity
and amount, thar the relative increaie Of fec.
BILE colony would fcarcely dcierve confederation,
but as an incentive to new exeftions. II all
Europe was loft, and France with il. which
heaven forbid, America could fubiR indcpen
IDENTIFY. Our African and AGatic trade would
ioon make US great and even powerful.
To fuppoic the French could maintain an
innucncc at the fouth, 10 jua as ridiculous ss 70
conceive the Britifh could be troublefome al the
north and every body knows that Canada
could be ours in year, if we were weak or
wicked enough to attempt the conqueR OF il.
France, great, mighty, warIike, daring, Gu
lightened and free as fhe is, with all the enthu-
Gafm of paR Victories, and all the contcioaihds
of an acknowledged fuperiorisy by the furround-
ing nations in Europe. could not long fuccef.
fully maintain hottie attitude on the M,flifp
pi, asanif the United States, if fhe were 70 LOT
TO her true policy and interea as to make fnch
an effort. Years mutt roll away before afsebIs
colony could rival a united and growing empire,
which will never annoy Others unlcfs annoyed,
and in manner which mould put icepticifn it.
ielt beyond the power Of doubling. i
If we are only frugal of the public money,
induarious. honeR. temperate and unaiIumise,
fcrupulouAy ob!cfvant Of our national engage
ments. we lhaII have nothing 10 fear but ik.Il
continue 10 be happy at home. and refpeaed by
foreign nations. [CbrsM