American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-08-03
POLITICAL HISTORY.

POLITICAL HISTORY.
.qcqaistion of Louisiana The letter OF Mr.
Jefferson, which we copy to-day, sheds hight, en-
tircly new to u.s. upon the opinions OF Mr. Jspersoh
touchnr the admission Of Louisiana into the Union
II has been made subject of grave charge against
President adams. that, whilst a Member OF the
Senate Of the United States, he expressed constr
tutiona scruples on this subject It now appears
that his opnnns were those also Of Mr.. JeDvrsoh,
and it is quite possible that he may nave ueiiveu
them from that illustrous Statesman. We learn
from this historical fact moreover that Mr.. JET
ferson had not that belief in his own infallbty
which Others affect to have had in it: for his con-
sttutiona sc,uples, whatever they were, did not
ureyent his eventual assent to, II not teconmenua-
ton of, the accession of Louisiana to the Union.
In that case, as in the case of the Cumberland
Road, he sacrificed speculative opinion for the
sake of great practical good. We do not special
ly commend this rule OF action; but we see that
the wsest and best men must sometimes exhibit
an inconsistency between their acts and their opn-
ions. Certain it is, that what MIR. Jefferson
thought right, it was no great sin in Mr.. Adams to
do. We feel ourselves particularly called upon
to make this acknowledge because we have
ourselves inclined to the opinion that Mr.. adams $
course on that question was an error IN his poll-
cal life. Nat. Intel.
Copy of a letter from iNoMAsJEfFEhsoN I H"'M
President Of tie United States 10 WILLIAM
pvsaAR. lisa. no,r published 1T is betiprd far
thp first tims] IN the Matches .1rael, ty per-
mission Of the son Of Mr.. UuAdar.
WAsH1NGroa, Ju:s 18th, 1905.
DEAR SIR: Before YOU receive tins you VIII
have heard, through the channel OF the pubic pa
pers of the cesson Of lnt4isana by France TO the
l.. States. the terms as stated in the National In
telliuenee r are accurate. That the treaty may be
ratified in time | have found 1t necessary to con
,ene Congress on the 18th OF October; and It IS
yer, important for the happiness OF the country.
that they should possess all the information which
can be obtained respecting il, that they make the
best arrangements practicable for its good govern
ment; it is the most necessary because they viii
be obliged to ask from the People an amendment
Of tile Constitution, Authorizing then receiving the
province into the Union, and p'0siding tor rs
government; aud the limitations OF power, which
Shall be given bv that amendment. will DC unalter
able but bv the same authority have, therefore.
sent some queries 10 Mr.. Clark, Of New Orleans.
to be answered by such persons as he shall think
best qualified aud to be returned to before the
meeting OF Congress; and knowing that you have
turned your attention to many OF the subjects,
enclose you copy Of them, and ask the favor Of
YOU to give me what information YOU can IN answer
to such of them as YOU shall select es lying within
the scope Of your information. | ain encouraged
to propose thus TO trouble you by thorough per
suasion Of YOUR readiness and desire to serve the
public cause by whatever shall be III your power !:
and by the belief that you are one OF those who
will sincerely rejoice at our success IN relieving
YOU, by peaceable means. from powerful and en-
tegp.sing neighbor; and establishing on a perma-
nent basis the tranquility, security, and prosperity.
of that interesting country. ftendcr you my friend.
y salutations and assurances OF great esteem and
respect. THO. JEFFERSON.
WILLIAM nuNuAR, Esq.
z. S. July l8-Sincc writing the preceding,
YOUR favor of June 10 has been received. The cx-
change Of peaceable for warning neighbor at
New Orleans, was undoubtedly ground Of Just and
great dlsquietude on our part and the necessity
Of acquiring the country could not be unperceivcd
by any. The question which divided our Lcgisa-
ture (but not the natlon) was. whether we should
take it at once, and enter single handed into war
with the most powerful nation on earth, or place
things on the best footing practicable for the pres
ent, and avail ourselves of the first in Europe
(Which it clear at no eat ,llstance) to Oh
tain the country as the price of our neutrality, or
as arepiisal for wrongs which we were sure enough
To receive The war happened somewhat sooner
than was expected: but our measures we're prevl
onsly taken, and the thing took the best turn for
both parties Those who were honest ii their rea
sons for preerring immediate war; will, in their
cantor, rejoice that their opinion wa not follow
ed. They may indeed still believe il Was tile best
opinion according to probabilities. We, however.
believed otherwise, and they, ain sure, will now
be glad that VIZ did The letter Of yesterday will
show YOU my desire Of receiving information fran
you. and shall always be thankful for it Nv
wish is to have every thing, compare all together.
and to do what, on the whole, I conscientiously
think Tor the best. | repeat my satisfaction and
esteem