The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-22
v.

In order to understand the state of things
that might have eliminated in a secession
OF the trans Allegheny region but for the
Louisiana Purchase, 1t is needful TO keep
In view certain salient events which will be
found recorded in DR.. Geer's eleventh
chapter Chief among these events was
the failure of John Jay in 1885 to bring
about treaty with Spain which would give
the inhabitants of the western country
the right freely to navigate the Mississippi
River. In 1874 Thomas Pinokney obtained
what Jay had found IL impossible to get,
partly because, at tho latter epoch, Spain
was under the influence Of France and
partly because Spain feared an alliance
between the United States and Great Britain
against France and Spain. The treaty
negotiated by Pinckmey provided that the
navigation OF the Mississippi from its
source to the ocean should be free exclu-
siyely to the citizens of the United States
and 10 the subjects of his Catholic Majesty,
to which was added the right conceded
to the United States Of using New Orleans
for three years as a port o. deposit free
from duty on condition that fair rent
should be paid for the use Of storehouses.
After the lapse Of three years the privilege
was 10 be continued, either at New Orleans
or some other point on the river TO be desig-
mated thereafter. Spain showed subse
uuently. however, that she did not wish
to carry out the stipulations Of the treaty
II she could possibly avoid it, and persisted
In efforts to detach the western States
from the Union. Nevertheless, for seven
years after the signing Of the Pinckney
treaty the great river was open TO the
Americans, and the western country rapidly
filed up. prosperous trade was carried
on, in pursuance Of which the Americans
took their tobacco, grain and other products
down the river and deposited them in New
Orleans, whence they were reshipped TO
all parts OF the world
1t was we'll understood. however, through
out the trans Allegheny region that the COM
mercial privilege was precarious, and that,
while It might be enjoyed 10 long as the
mouths OF the Mississippi were In the hands
Of weak country like Spain, 1t probably
would be otherwise II they were trans
ferred 10 a ruler ike Napoleon Bonapare,
who, as First Consul, vas the most power
ful man in Europe. In NOV ember 1901, Rufus
ling. the American Minister IL London,
Informed our State Department that by
a secret cession Che treaty OF San llde-
fonso) France had obtained Louisiana from
Spain. and that Napoleon proposed to oc-
cupy II with an army at the earliest possible
moment, using San Domingo as a base Of
operation. The people Of the United
States quickly recognized that the French
occupation must be prevented. OF the two
political parties, the Federalist was eager
TO go TO war with France. and the other
headed by President jefferson, was equaAy
DESTROYS of securing control OF the mouths
Of the Mississippi, though il hoped to obtain
this by peaceable means. The excitement
caused In the Western country by the news
OF the treaty OF San Idefonso was greatly
intensified, and the prospect Of peaceful
adjustment corTespondingly darkened by
the act OF Morales, the Spanish civil officer in
New Orleans, who in October, 1892, with
drew the right Of deposit which the Ameri-
cans had enjoyed under the Pinokney
treaty OF 1898.
Tho withdrawal Of the right OF deposit
meant, II carried out, the commercial paraly-
sis OF the West To that danger Jeher-
son was alive, but he did not want war,
and was disturbed lest the hotheaded
Weeterners sh ould take matters In their
own hands and march on New Orleans.
The outcome OF many secret sessions OF
Congress was an act empowering the Presi-
dent to act in the premises and providing
him with 81, 0oo. 600 10 be used In the solution
OF the problem. Jeferson's plan was TO
use the money in buying New Orleans and
Florida, thus settling the question OF the
control OF the navigation Of the river by
coming into possession Of its mouths. His
instructions to James Monroe, the man
chosen TO be envoy 10 France, were to buy
New Orleans. II possible, and. II no land
could he obtained from France, 70 secure
the right Of deposit which had been .,iaran-
teed by the treaty OF 1858. In return. Il
necessary. the envoy was authorized 70
guarantee 10 France the west bank of the
Mississippi As our author points out,
these were very mild conditions and attest
how little value was placed by Jefferson