Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-10-28

river is to interruption, and strongly points
out the impolicy of relying on foreign
nation for benefits which our citizens have.
right to expect should be secured to them
by their own government. 1t is hoped
that the port of New-Orleans may again be,
opened, before any very material injuries
arise but should this be the case, or ii as
the treaty provides, new place of deposit
should be assigned, the late occurrence
shews the uncertainty of its continuance.
Experience proves that the caprice or the
interested views of a single officer, may
perpetualIy subject US to the alternative
Of submitting to injury, or OF resorting to
war.
The late violation ofeur treatywith Spain
necessarily leads to the enquiry how far the
western country may be affected in other
points, not connected with New-Orleans.
The Mississippi Territory extends from
the confines Of Georgia TO the River Mis-
sissippi, and FROM the 3lst to the 35th de-
gree of Forth latitude. Its estimated to
contain more than fifty millions of acres,
and from its numerous advantages must
one day or other possess an immense popu-
lasion. The variety, richness and album
dance of its productions, hold out to set
tiers the strongest inducements to resort
thither, and the United States may safely
calculate on drawing considerable reve-
nue. from the sale of lands In this, as well
as in other quarters OF the western coun-
try. The value of these, however, may be
diminished or increased, and the sale I'M
peded or advanced by the impression made
On the public mind, by shutting the port OF
New-Orleans, and by eventual measures
which may be adopted to guard against ST.
milar injuries.
Wcsi Florida is bounded on the north by the
Mliffppi Territory, from which it is ieparated
by no naural boundary on the eaf by the RI
yer Apalachcola which divides it from Eaf
Florida; on the wet by the river Mlidippi,
and on the fouth by the Gulph of Mexico. The
MGiGppi Territory is interfected by many large
ard valuable rivers which rife within its own
boundaries, and meander through ii in a general
direction from North to South, but empty them.
felyes into The Guph of Mexico through the
Province of Welt Florida. In fact with the cx-
ception of that part of the territory which lies
Immediately on Inc Mhidlppi, the whole muff
depend on he Mobile and ,he Apalachicola, with
their numerous branches, and on fome other rivers
of inferior note for the means of tending its pro-
duce to marker, and of returning to itfeffuch TO-
reign fupplies, as the ncceltes or convenience OF
It's inhabitants may require. In thete rivers
the eafern parts of the fate of Tennehce are
:.---a.d far,,r-of etfa sreat branches
of the Mobile approach very near TO fome of
thofe branches Of the Tcnnedee river, which lie
above the great Mucle hoas. Even if it ihouid
prove dificul, to connect them, YET the land car
riage will be lhortcr, and the route 10 the sea,
more direct, than the river Tennenee fufnfhes.
Thefe rivers pofefs liktwifc an advantage which
is denied TO the MiaiRippi As their fources are
NOT in the mountains, and their courie is through
level country, their currents are gentle and tide
flows confderably above our boundary. This
circumfance together with the depth OF waite
which many of them afford, render them acccli-
bic to sea-vehels; and lhips of two hundred tons:
burihen may alcend for feveral hundred miles in
to the heart Of the MGifippi territory. Tbefe
rivers, however which run almoit cxcluGvely
within our own limits, and which it would feem
as if nature had intended for our own benefit, we
mutt be indebted to others tor the beneficial use
of, so long as the province of West Florida shall
continue in the possession of foreign nati2n.
If the province of West Florida were of itself
an independent empire, 1t would be the interest
of its government to promote the freedom of
trade, by laying open the mouths of the rivers
to all NATIONS, this having been the policy of
those powers who possess the mouths of the
Rhine and Danube, the Pc, and the Tagus with
some others. But the system of colonz ,1ion, |
which has always heretofore prevailed, proves,
that the mother country is ever anxious to en- |
gross to .se!f the trade of her colonies, and at.
totds us every reason u spprehend that Spain
will not readily admit US to pass through her
territory O carru trade either WI III eaoh