Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-11-15
FROM NFw ORLraNs, Ga. !.

Gazette.
q The import ant news of the cesslon OF Lou-
.:,,,..t 20 tae Uuised States, was received here
'.,v ea,ly, fsom official sources, disea from
yaace. ! am sorry 70 perceive thatan idea seems
: eaiu ground at home tie heyle importance
i ,he western. part Of shc province, aud thar 1t
Fkr!y 10 be exchanged for the two Fleridas.,
i We regard soil, situation, populations and pro-
,se;ons, with the inmense btrehs that may be.
A6yed from il, II exceeds THE Floridas as much
! Pennsylvania sup ssss the lower county OF De
l,vare state, AID in a few years night be made
!, produce as much as half OF the Uaitea States !;
vsile the Floridas are sandy desart, desirable
,aly for the p'st Of Pensacola, which will nnt
,lm;f ship of the line, nor OF any thing draw
no above 81 fees water, and in all probability
would be shortly offered to us by Spaio, to rid
her Of the enormous cxpence of defending it. In
West Florida, he only part whichis OF any va
lue. as tract efcoonuy contiguous TO the line Of
dmarcation extending from the Mississippi 90
70 20 niles east, and as much or perhaps 40 miles
s,uth md this vi af w spots fit for cultiya
ion on the banks OF some small creeks and rivers
IS all that is rot pine forest while to the west
he country is every where good, watered by ma,
~ 6oe rivers, has considerable population, is
nch in IFS productions, maintains an immense
Iuia trade, contains inse srndcut cf the low land
Immediately bordering on the Mississippi, a. large
,y,ent Of country in the Atacepas, which may be
devoted 20 the culture of the sugar cane, for
which we are dependent on other nations, and
shal continue to be dependent, if we give Up the,
western bank of the Mississippi; as the narrow
strip on the eastern side on the island of New
0rleansis all that can possibly be applied to that
sulure, which is totally inadequate TO the object
Of freeing the United States from that state of
dependence (for an article new of necessity on
other nations.
The great bulk Of the population and riches,
five except New Orleans itself is on the western
bank. The rivers beirg more numerous, access
10 the interior is easy; and the country ber.
ter than the eastern. The Missouri presents
rver watering country more extensive, and
Blessed with better soil, than that through
which the Ohio runs, without being subject to
the inpcdiments which the latter present to ma
ygasion, in consequence of the lowness of the
water. Outing at least eight months in the year.
independent of commercial or agricultural
advantages, sound policy would induce US to hold
aad occupy both banks, to prevent foreign pow
srs from the possibility of tamperine with our
western brethren. II has been objected, that by
keeping possession OF the western bank, we shall
extend ourselves 50 much, as to endanger our u
MON; but Cannot the United States sell or retain
the lands I'm their own power, and prevent the e.
migration or settlement on lands belonging TO the
public If they cannot do this nor have not the
power of preventing it, viii they be able TO pre-
senr any foreign power, inro whose hands that
scupt'y might fall, from attracting their people
bygratuitous offers of lands and settlements, OIL
condition of becoming their subjects, and oppos-
I'D, If necessary, to the United States? Would
not such a measure have an instantaneous and
Prodigious effect? and how is it 20 be avoided,
out BY the government of the United States re.
taiNing the country? Will not perpetual qlarrels
md disagreenents arise between two trading and
IiSai countries, having anrimmense river, navlga-
ole to its source, for a common frontier? Will
q mot be necessary Co keep up large force and a
efa 81 torts TO preserve this frontier from sudden
INVASION! And how can the laws have force or
nsour. when, by merely crossing the stream, the
easnder is cut of their reach Would not these
evils be obviatcd, by pushing the frontier further
sa's, toa terrisory were for ages no quarrels or
Osentions would arise, from, the scantiness of its
POPULATION? Finally $hy now relinquish, TO
l0ie,gn power, a Country riyaling our own in its
p'eduehons, from whose commerce we would be
lsoarred, and which we nov have right exclu-
avsly to possess?
hese and number of other reasons occur
= 'asor OF retaining the wessera country. Let
'ae policy of the United States be what it may
@'n respect to what it gives away, ! sincerely
a,ps 7 will adopt just aud proper regulations ps
Naas it.fetains; that il viii suit the government
= local circumstances and 10 the habits and ideas
y the newly acquired citizens; that those who
a'y DC appointed TO preside over US will be men
~ talents. pcssecc q Enn,uledre of tha world and