Washington telegraph., 1863-07-01

NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI
Aaiterary friend has furnished US with
the following extracts from "Monette's
History Of the Discovery and Settlement
Of the Valley = the Mississippi" They
show the strong excitement which for
merly. prevailed in the West when the
mouth of the river was in the hands Of
the Spanish, and it was supposed that
burdens would be laid upon the naviga-
ton. At that time the whole population
of the United States west of the Alle>
ghauies, did not probably exceed 10000
souls. Being new settlers, their products
for expectation were comparatively insig-
niicant. If, therefore, this subject could
SO agitate them then, what must its infu-
ence be at present in the North. West,
with its thousands of millions worth Of
produce seeking its exit by the great river.
1t is upon this strong passion that the
Federals operate, to keep up the war
spirit Of the North West. The people
are kept in ignorance Of our disposition
in this regard, and persuaded that they
must subdue US or give up the navigation
of the river. An officer taken prisoner
in late battle remarked: eve are fight
ing for our religion, aud that i the free
navigation of the Mississippi" 1t Is
about the height of the staple of Northern
religion, certainly.
Mr. Foote'S resolutions in Congress on
this subject have never been fully appre-
cia,ed. We should assure the people of
the Northwest 10 every manner, that
after our recognition and peace, the navi-
CATION of the river shall be perfectly free
to all States drained by its tributaries. 1t
is the law of nations, and we have never
claimed to withhold it from them:
A. ID. 17S7-P. 495, Vol. lin
reference to the free navigation of the
Mississippi, the United States asserted
natural right, independent Of any cliim
derived through Great Britain. The
American people occupied and exercised
dominion on the whole eastern portion OF
the Mississippi Valley, comprising all the
country drained by lis great eastern tribu
taries, and the eas, bank as low as the
northern limit of Florida. This gave
them the natural right to follow the cur
re mt of their river to the sea, As established
by the admitted law of nations"
A. D. 177s-P. 49s, Vol I.-"It was
about the close of the year 1856 that the
rumor obtaiued currency 10 the West that
the Federal Governments; regardless OF
the interests of the Western people, was
about to conclude a treaty with the Span
ish minister, in which the L. S. must
abandon the free pavi cation OF the Missis-
sippi for twenty years, to cOnciliate the
good viii Of Spain. The very possibility
Of abandoning their rightful claims pro-
duced the highest degree Of excitement
in all the Western settlements, which not
only endangered the sIfety Of Louisiana,
but caused great anxiety to the Federal
Government for several years"
A ID. l794-P. sos, Vol. L. The
views aud feelings of the people Of Ken
lucky AID Tennessee, relative to the most
salutary policy, werc various and dlscord-
ant, each proposing relief to their embar,
ra-sments by different mode Of action.
During the period OF this excitement, the
people vf Kentucky and the West gene
rally, were ranged under one or other OF
the following five parties:
1st. "For separation from the Union
and the formation of an Independent Re
public, which should form treaty Of al
lance aud commerce with Spain,
ID. "For annexing the country TO the
province of Louisiana, and submitting
to the introduction Of the Spanish laws
and forms o. civil jurispruderce.
Sd. .'For actual .ar with srain, the
capture Of New Orleaus, and the whole
district IF West Florid4.
4th "For active and forcible measures
by Congress to compel Spain, by force oi
arms Ut by hostile array, to yield the priv
eges and rights which have been so long
refused by negotiation.
5th. "To solicit France to procure
of Louisiana. and to extend
her protection over Kentucky and the
Cumberland settlements.
at is long story, but the end of ii
was, that the U. S. Congress was con
strained to be guided by this Western
outbreak"