Robert R. Livingston. 257
to follow that ach-ice, is not certain, patrician dignity of bearing gave added
You will all discover some time or force, said, —
other, that, in leaving the mother *• We have lived long, but this is the
church of Federalism, you have brought noblest work of our whole lives. From
yourselves into reprobation. I hope this day the United States take their
you will not have reason to say with the place among the powers of the first
•^o^\., facilis est descensus ," t\.c. rank; the English lose all exclusive
Again Morris writes : " It is well for power and influence in the affairs of
you who desire a position in public life, America. Now one of the principal
that you are in a position not to take causes of European rivalries and ani-
immediate part either way. The only mosities is about to cease. The United
danger is that your interest should be States will re-establish the maritime
compromised by the zeal of your rights of all the world, which are now
friends." The gossip of Gouverneur usurped by a single nation. These
Morris, perhaps, deserves little respect ; treaties will be a guaranty of peace and
and yet the reader of his letters to Liv- concord among commercial states,
ingston cannot help entertaining the sus- The instruments we have just signed
picion that the complications of political will cause no tears to be shed ; they
affairs at home, during the first months prepare ages of happiness for innumer-
of Jefferson's administration, caused able generations of human creatures.
Livingston to indulge certain aspirations The Mississippi and Missouri will see
for the presidency that succeeding events them succeed one another and multiply,
rendered futile. truly worthy of the regard of Providence,
The glorious event of Livingston's in the bosom of equality, under just
career as minister to France was the laws, freed from the errors of supersti-
acquisition of Louisiana. Of the his- tion and the scourges of bad govem-
tory of that transaction much has been ment."
written, and the bitter controversy as While in Paris, Livingston formed the to whom the honor of that purchase acquaintance of Robert Fulton, the in- should be given is not yet ended. The ventor of the steamboat, and shared details of the negotiation are interesting, the struggles of that famous inventor to and the importance of that treaty by introduce his steamboat. Livingston which the immense territory west of willingly advanced the money to com- the Mississippi was added to our coun- plete the inventor's steamboats, and try can never be overestimated. The secured the exclusive privilege of navi- words of Livingston, after the signature gating the waters of New York for him- of the treaty of cession, are peculiarly self and Fulton. To untiring and significant of the importance which the patient efforts Fulton owed his success, chief actor in that memorable event but none the less does Robert R. Liv- attached to his deed, and are deserving ingston deserve praise for his foresight of our respect and admiration. Mr. in aiding the needy inventor at a time Marbois, one of the three ministers, when, but for the wealth of Livingston, thus quotes the words of Livingston, his inventions would have proved futile, who rose at the close of the negotia- Of Livingston's interest in art, educa- tions, and in clear, impressive tones, tion, and agriculture ; of his abilities as to which his tall and graceful figure and a writer, orator, and essayist ; of his
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