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possible view can I perceive any benefit likely to result to the United States by opening a land office in Louisiana, whilst a thousand mischiefs threaten to flow from any attempt of the kind.
But, when the population of the United States shall render it no longer wise, or practicable, to restrain emigrations from them, then this immense treasure in bank may be called up from the vault in which, until that time, it will be adviseable to keep it locked up; and, wonderful to behold! then shall we find that our talent has increased to ten talents, without merchandising with it, or lending it out at usury.—But to this period, he that values the happiness of the United States can only look forward with a sigh, at the painful reflection, that the price of all this treasure will be the present unrivalled happiness of his country.
As some atonement for these unfashionable Utopian ideas, I shall proceed to consider another advantage which may possibly accrue to the United States from this acquisition, if a proper use be made of it: that is,
Ninthly; we now shall have it in our power to propose to the Indian nations now settled within the United States an exchange of lands beyond the Mississippi, for those which they now hold[1]; by this means we shall be able to dispose of all the lands on this side the Mississippi to those who will cultivate them, who are already civilized, who speak the same language with us, and who will be ready and willing to harmonize and become one people with us, if they be not so already. The lands which we may acquire in this manner will probably be amply sufficient to pay for ten times the purchase of Louisiana, and this remote treasure, so dangerous to be touched whilst it remains at a distance, may be brought with safety to our doors, and
- ↑ There are probably two hundred millions of acres of land in the United States to which the Indian title has not yet been extinguiſhed.
