Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-06-23

Allthis immense country is ours in trust
OF posterity. With such an ample reyer-
sion, what reason has any single man to be
| afraid OF matrimony? Or what ground is
! there for any married man to be alarmed
at the prospects of numerous family |?
Here are plantations enough, and enough
Tor our children, and our chiidreu's chill.
dren for centuries to come. Though these
must be purchased by future occupants,
yet IN our national capacity, we the peo-
pie OF the United States r. both he sell
lers and buyers. The purchase money,
when paid, viii only be transferred from
the left to the right ,ni of the same body
polite. When deposited In the treasury
oil the union 1t viii not be drawn out for
! the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of our rulers, or The
privileged order of men, but Tor public
ocnlhi. ouch IS ;hcamoant ofvacaut land
10 tn's extensive region, and so rapid will
De Its population, under the auspices of
our mild and equal government, iha, the
proceeds of safe at no distant day, will
he sogreat, asn only 10 reimburse The first
cast OF the purchase, but 10 afford sur.
p'usnsGe tor the endowment of Summaries
oil lcarnihg--opening roaIls-inland uayi.
:a'ions, and other objects OF national con-
sequence.
hed@y wouldbe too short to enumerate
all the natural advantages of our newly ac-
CURED territory. This view of The sub.
Ject, though highly important, must b..
discontinued that your attention may be
drawn to other considerations Of infints;y
more consequence.
The cesslon OF Louisiana to the United
States, will give them power and conse-
quence In the scale OF nations-increase
their prospects Of peace and union-ad
vance their commerce and manufaStures-
give additional security to their free con-
stitution, and IN variety ofways promote
and extend human happiness.
ioviewthe subject correctly, in relation
to these objects, we should compare our
present situation. as sole proprielors of
this country, with what it would havebeen,
II the designs of the French for colons
ing Louisiana had been carried INTO effect.
La The hands of that wonderful man who
presides over France, New Orleans would
have been the fulcrum Of An immense lie
yer, b. which he would have elevated or
depressed our western country IN subscr
viency his gigantic projects. Ourriehts
OF deposit at New Orleans, and of the
free navigation Of the Mississippi, would
nave been considered as TERMINATING with
termination ofthe government of spain,
which had granted these privileges. As
matter OF favor our western citizens
would have been allowed free trade with
New Orleans in Fcench vessels, and with
the exclusive privilege of trading with
the colonies of France, Spain and Hol-
land.
Had this plan been pursued, which is
highly probable, the standard of discord
woulL have been planted between tina At
lanuc and the western states. From the
operation OF obvious causes, the union of
our rising empire would soon have been
severed. Oar nearest neighbours, would
have become our enemies, The French
possessing the lock and key of the Missis-
slppl, would have had manifold induce
ments to supply QUE western citizens with
merchandise, free of impost. Attempts
on our part TO prevent this illegal trade
would have required such ALI host of reve.
nue. officers as 10 leave little or no income
TO the public treasury. Our countrymen
would cease to be carriers, of such OF our
own commodities, as grew on the western
waters. Distinct interest, marked by a
ridge of mountains, would Rave separated
one half OF our citizens from the other.
With this gloomy picture, give me leave
to contrast our present prospects. Being,
as we now are, exclusive owners of the
Mississippi in its whole length the West
India islands must depend on our grana-
ries for their daily bread. Such of the
powers OF Europe, as have colonies in our
neighborhood, will be obliged to court our
friendship. The congress of the United
States will regulate allntercourse between
the West India islands and the continent
Of North Amel ica, with the paItry excep
tons of the Floiidas, Canada, and Nova
Scotia. This will afford the most ample
and easy means of defence--of defence,
Which though it costs US nothing, will
serve US more elfe6tually than fleets and
armies.
If the French had colonised Louisiana,
all this power and Influence would be gone.
the resources of our country divided, and.
one half of our citizens set in hostile array
fl.