Year: 1861

A Remarkable PredIctaOn-Tholnas JEFF


ferson's Prophecy of Southern COn-


federacy.


From the National InteIHgenes.


It is remarkable fact that at the time of the
acquisition Of the Louisiana Territory in 1sO3 the
opponents of the measure predicted the ultimate
formation Of a new Confederscy which would
usurp the control of the eastern afHuents of the
Mississippi river 1t WAS in reference to such SIMS
ter prophecies that Mr.. JsFFERsoS wrote as follows
to Mr.. BRECKNRIDGE, under date of August II. 1908
We quote from the forth volume of mis- writings, as
officially published in Congress:


OBJECTIONS are raising to the eastward against
the vast extent of our boundaries and propositions
are made to exchange Louisiana. or part of. for
the Floridas But as have said we shall get the
Floridas without, and would not give one inch of
the waters of the Mississippi to any nation because


see in light very important to our peace the ex-
elusive right of its navigation, and the admission
of no nation into it, but as into the Potomac Del
ware, with our consent and under our police.
These Federalists seesn this acquisition the forma
ton of a new Confsderaey, embracing all the
waters Of the Mississippi on both sides of it, and
separation of its eastern waters from US. These
combinations depend on so many circumstances
which we cannot foresee that place little reliance
on them. We have seldom seen neighborhood pro-
duce affection among nations. Besides, it should
become the great interest of those nations to sepa
rate from this, if their happiness should depend on
it so strongly to induce them to go through that
CONFUSION, why should the Atlantic States dread
it? But especially why should we, their present
inhabitants, takes sides in such question


"When | view the Atlantic States procuring for
those on the eastern waters Of the Mississippi
friendly instead of hostile neghbors on Its western
waters, / do not view it as an Engishman would
the procuring future blessings for the French na-
tion, with whom he has relations of blood or
affection The future inhabitants of the Atlantic
and Mississippi States will be sons. We leave
them in distinct but bordering establishments We
think we see their happiness in their union and
wish it. Events may prove it otherwise; and if
they their interest in separation, why should we
take side with Atlantic rather than our Missis-
sippi descendants! Ii is the older and the younger
son differing. God bless them both, and keep them
in Union if it be for their good but sepa. ate them if
it be better The inhabited part of Louisiana, from
Point Coupee to the sea. will Of course be immedi
ately a territorial government, and soon a state.
But above that the best use we can make of the
country for time will be to give establishments
it to the Indians the east side of the Misss
slppi in exchange for their present country, and
open land offices in the last and thus make this ac
QUESTION the of filling up the eastern side,
instead of drawing off its population. When we
shall be full this side, may lay of a range of
States on the western bank, from the head 10 the
mouth, and so, range after range, advancing com
psctly as we multiply"