Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-07-29

possessions, have deprived the inhabi-
tants Of Louisiana Of their share ofthe
fur trade, which IL must be confessed was
not, nor could ever be very important,
Is the peitry Of the south sre ofbut little
value, the few skins are Of no importance
10 commerce, as may be seen in the IA
bIes Of importation Of New-0 rleans.S-
Goods are ever to be transported from
the Mississippi into the United States,
that way. 1.sS.. : S =,
Inthese considerations, Ihaye kept no
account ofthe pains, expenses and loss
Of men, which are inseparable from new
settlements IN 4 marshy country, and a
burning climate the invasion efIndiansi
the insurrection Of slaves the subordi-
nation Of troops; the abuses committsd
BY officers, remote from the soyereign's
vigilent eye. All these Inconvenience
united, or only q few ofthem, are enough
70 stop an undertaking, and ruin a settle.
inent. Avery important observation is,
however, TO be made, and that is ofsome
weight. Many Of those ~ho carry thei,
families to Louisiana, observing that the
lands are as cheap on the American side,
viii prefer selling there, even in time ol
peace; some, because they win prefer
the government Of that country, others
through spite, or to rid themselves from
q military government, such as that oi
Louisiana must necessarily be-. That
wish must be general in case Of a war be.
tween France and England, for admit:
ting that the latter maintains her naval
superiority Gas / have already proved =
another place she must, unless France
changes her commercial system in order
to establish it upon more liberal princi.
ples) the mouth Of the Mississippi win
be blocked up, and the planters in the
French colonies viii be reduced to the
greatest distress, while those ofthe Unit.
ed States win derive from the war the
greatest benefit. - szs..s..=ss/
Then it win be, that q great part ofthe
capitals brought from France to Louisia.
ma, win pass into the United States,
where are found farms, already cleared,
for one half ofwhat It would cost q French
planter to clear his: because an Ameri.
can, familiarized from his infancy 10 the
use Of the axe, has acquired 'dexterity
and a muscular strength, which are ne.
yer Obtained by a man used 70 other bn
siness. lsz ~ 81 = - r.. :: :
The experience Of the past iswholly il
favor of these observations. Tho set
tied for one century, Louisiana has ne
yer prospered under the French or th
Spanish government. And one half O
the commerce Of Newt Orleans is moi
carried on with American capitals, undo
the guarantee of their treaty with Spain
As soon as the French win plant riva
colony, that commerce viii be carrie,
ON in any ether placein the y. States
which the policy of their governmen
may judge proper to encourage.
!. 1.-THE settlement of Louisiana is no
advantageous to France, in commerce
alyiew, because il diverts capitals from
much more important channel, it i
contrary to her interests IN politica
point OF view. America is Of the utmos
importance to France, whether consider
ed as commercial or maritime power
sihave explained my opinion fullyinsthi
first relation, on another occasion as I,
the other, there is. no question that ri
agricultural nation, which, by her n
dUstry and her raw materials. Il able /,
procure all the supeTauous Injuries o
Europe, and whose habits and occupati
ons prevent them from manufacturing 70
themselves, there can be no question
that sucha nation must afford a very i'm
portant market % the inhabitants Of III.
old world. - ~ =
y In this view the commerce of the u
States has been considered a. very pro
htable 70 England; but when French
manufactures shall have Obtained an the
'improvementof which they are capable