Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-01-14
FROM THE CHRONICLE,
I. EXPRESS. +
NEW.oRLEANs.

appears to excite one general sentiment
in the public mind. As an object Of the
most momentous concern It Is regarded
by all. We cannot but think it the pre-
cursor of much disturbance to the Anne
rican people. .. - =. ~
II, indeed, we could be eonvincedthat
the recent measures at Newt Orleans orr
ginated, in fact, with the Spanish go
vernment, uninAuenced and without the
controul Of France, there would be little
ground for anxiety and none for ilatm.--
! Let Us, however, admit with caution, a
conviction which, if fallaciods Is 50
flaught with danger. : - :.
. The cession of Louisiana to France Is
no longer doubted-and, from apubliea-
ton in q late Paris paper; an authority
which, in this case, may be deemed ai-
thentic, we learn that the country il to be
coded in the same situation as It was re-
ceived from France by Spain. Of the
precise terms in which this treaty Is ex-
pressed, we have not accurate knowledge
but doubtless, the .. same situation"
or words Of similar import, which may
be used, win be construed both to its
boundary and to Its political relations
As to boundarHrkhat which only has been
recognised by France, win include De-
troit, extend, the whole southern coast of
Lake Erie, and embrace the whole eoun-
try west of the Allegheny mountains,
thus including within its limits more than
halt the territory of the United States
The evil and contentious, however,
which may emanate from this course are
contingent, and. possibly remote. Those
which regard thenaxigation Of the Mis-
sissipPi, are eminent and portentous.
France receives Louisiana, including
New Orleans and both branches of the
Mississippi, disincumberad7of the thral-
dom Of free navigation, and the right of
deposit, justly claimed blythe United
States: We apply to Spain Tor redress.
She replies that she has neither power
interestin the question, and refers Us
to Buonaparte. HE is stranger to our
pretences-HE has received, the; country
as an appendage Of the French empire,
subject to no foreign claims or franchises.
However sPesious this reasoning, and
dishonorable this conduct, matters not
that the reasoning is diplomatic, and the
conduct analogous to that Of France and
her sovereign, is abundantly yeri6ed by
numerous recent facts.
Thus the gigantic schemes Of Buona-
parte appear to embrace, at the same mo-
nent, the subjugation Of Europe, the
recovery Of Egypt, and die foundation
Of an American empire.
Universai dominion appears the Glti-
mate object Of HIS atl.grasping ambition.
Never existed man so competent to the
execution Of such Complicated and ex-
tensive plans. He has at his command
one Of the most wariike nations In the
world. Generals the most enterprising
and expefieneed-armies inuredt 10 battle
and accustomed TO victory-resources
that may, since his extensive additions
to the French empire, be termed mex
haustible! Hehas a spirit the most bold
and con6dsnt--a mind that, without the
trouble of reflection, contemplates, at
one glance, the event Of an action in al
it's relations, and in all its consequences.
He casts his eye, at one view, over the
extensive and widely separated countries
comprised in his designs; and decides on
the measures to be adopted, with the
same promptfiess and celebrity with which
he directs his giances. He has alsoyouth,
and may therefore hope 70. execute his
wishes within che reasonable term ofhis
natural life. II, thensshe powers Of Eu-
rope do not awaken from the torpor into
(which his superior geuius has thrown
them. by the unparalleled success Of his
every attempt. II they do not see the
Ineeessityof unityto oppose power thai
menaees them ah-and If they do not &c,
in consequence Of these impressions, we
may expectthe banks Of the Mississippi
TO Be lined with French forces, and {
conflict Of the most desperate nature to
oeenpy our future years.
II & therefore Of the highest impor.