按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
heretofore； & found adequate to the repression of ordinary crimes。
Conspiracy； insurgency； treason； rebellion； among that description of
persons who brought on us the alarm； and on themselves the tragedy；
of 1800； were doubtless within the view of every one； but many
perhaps contemplated； and one expression of the resolution might
comprehend； a much larger scope。 Respect to both opinions makes it
my duty to understand the resolution in all the extent of which it is
susceptible。
The idea seems to be to provide for these people by a purchase
of lands； and it is asked whether such a purchase can be made of the
U S in their western territory？ A very great extent of country；
north of the Ohio； has been laid off into townships； and is now at
market； according to the provisions of the acts of Congress； with
which you are acquainted。 There is nothing which would restrain the
State of Virginia either in the purchase or the application of these
lands； but a purchase； by the acre； might perhaps be a more expensive
provision than the H of Representatives contemplated。 Questions
would also arise whether the establishment of such a colony within
our limits； and to become a part of our union； would be desirable to
the State of Virginia itself； or to the other States … especially
those who would be in its vicinity？
Could we procure lands beyond the limits of the U S to form a
receptacle for these people？ On our northern boundary； the country
not occupied by British subjects； is the property of Indian nations；
whose title would be to be extinguished； with the consent of Great
Britain； & the new settlers would be British subjects。 It is hardly
to be believed that either Great Britain or the Indian proprietors
have so disinterested a regard for us； as to be willing to relieve
us； by receiving such a colony themselves； and as much to be doubted
whether that race of men could long exist in so rigorous a climate。
On our western & southern frontiers； Spain holds an immense country；
the occupancy of which； however； is in the Indian natives； except a
few insulated spots possessed by Spanish subjects。 It is very
questionable； indeed； whether the Indians would sell？ whether Spain
would be willing to receive these people？ and nearly certain that she
would not alienate the sovereignty。 The same question to ourselves
would recur here also； as did in the first case： should we be willing
to have such a colony in contact with us？ However our present
interests may restrain us within our own limits； it is impossible not
to look forward to distant times； when our rapid multiplication will
expand itself beyond those limits； & cover the whole northern； if not
the southern continent； with a people speaking the same language；
governed in similar forms； & by similar laws； nor can we contemplate
with satisfaction either blot or mixture on that surface。 Spain；
France； and Portugal hold possessions on the southern continent； as
to which I am not well enough informed to say how far they might meet
our views。 But either there or in the northern continent； should the
constituted authorities of Virginia fix their attention； of
preference； I will have the dispositions of those powers sounded in
the first instance。
The West Indies offer a more probable & practicable retreat for
them。 Inhabited already by a people of their own race & color；
climates congenial with their natural constitution； insulated from
the other descriptions of men； nature seems to have formed these
islands to become the receptacle of the blacks transplanted into this
hemisphere。 Whether we could obtain from the European sovereigns of
those islands leave to send thither the persons under consideration；
I cannot say； but I think it more probable than the former
propositions； because of their being already inhabited more or less
by the same race。 The most promising portion of them is the island
of St。 Domingo； where the blacks are established into a sovereignty
_de facto_； & have organized themselves under regular laws &
government。 I should conjecture that their present ruler might be
willing； on many considerations； to receive even that description
which would be exiled for acts deemed criminal by us； but
meritorious； perhaps； by him。 The possibility that these exiles
might stimulate & conduct vindicative or predatory descents on our
coasts； & facilitate concert with their brethren remaining here；
looks to a state of things between that island & us not probable on a
contemplation of our relative strength； and of the disproportion
daily growing； and it is overweighed by the humanity of the measures
proposed； & the advantages of disembarrassing ourselves of such
dangerous characters。 Africa would offer a last & undoubted resort；
if all others more desirable should fail us。 Whenever the
Legislature of Virginia shall have brought it's mind to a point； so
that I may know exactly what to propose to foreign authorities； I
will execute their wishes with fidelity & zeal。 I hope； however；
they will pardon me for suggesting a single question for their own
consideration。 When we contemplate the variety of countries & of
sovereigns towards which we may direct our views； the vast
revolutions & changes of circumstances which are now in a course of
progression； the possibilities that arrangements now to be made； with
a view to any particular plan； may； at no great distance of time； be
totally deranged by a change of sovereignty； of government； or of
other circumstances； it will be for the Legislature to consider
whether； after they shall have made all those general provisions
which may be fixed by legislative authority； it would be reposing too
much confidence in their Executive to leave the place of relegation
to be decided on by _them_。 They could accommodate their
arrangements to the actual state of things； in which countries or
powers may be found to exist at the day； and may prevent the effect
of the law from being defeated by intervening changes。 This；
however； is for them to decide。 Our duty will be to respect their
decision。
LIMITS OF THE PRACTICABLE
_To P。 S。 Dupont de Nemours_
_Washington； Jan。 18； 1802_
DEAR SIR； It is rare I can indulge myself in the luxury of
philosophy。 Your letters give me a few of those delicious moments。
Placed as you are in a great commercial town； with little opportunity
of discovering the dispositions of the country portions of our
citizens； I do not wonder at your doubts whether they will generally
and sincerely concur in the sentiments and measures developed in my
message of the 7th Jany。 But from 40。 years of intimate conversation
with the agricultural inhabitants of my country； I can pronounce them
as different from those of the cities； as those of any two nations
known。 The sentiments of the former can in no degree be inferred
from th