Richmond Enquirer

SELECTIONS.

POLITICAL HISTORY.

Copy of a Letter from Thomas Jefferson (whilst President of the United States) to WM. DUNBAR, Esq. now published (it is believed for the first time) in the Natchez Ariel, by permission of the son of Mr. Dunbar.

Letter from Thos. Jefferson to Wm. Dunbar.

Washington, July 17th, 1805.

Dear Sir: Before you receive this you will have heard, through the channel of the public papers, of the cession of Louisiana by France to the U. States, the terms as stated in the National Intelligencer are accurate. That the Treaty may be ratified in time, I have found it necessary to convene Congress on the 17th October; and it is very important for the happiness of the country, that they should possess all the information which can be obtained respecting it, that they may make the best arrangement practicable for its good government; it is the most necessary because they will be obliged to ask from the People an amendment of the Constitution, authorising their receiving the province into the Union, and providing for its government; and the limitations of power, which shall be given by that amendment, will be unalterable but by the same authority. I have, therefore, sent some queries to Mr. Clark, of New Orleans, to be answered by such person as he shall think best qualified, and to be returned to me before the meeting of Congress; and knowing that you have turned your attention to many of the subjects, I enclose you a copy of them, and ask the favor of you to give me what information you can in answer to such of them as you shall select as lying within the scope of your information. I am encouraged to propose thus to trouble you by a thorough persuasion of your readiness and desire to serve the public cause by whatever shall be in your power: and by the belief that you are one of those who will sincerely rejoice at our success in relieving you, by peaceable means, from a powerful and enterprising neighbor; and establishing on a permanent basis the tranquility, security, and prosperity, of that interesting country.

I tender you my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem and respect.

THO. JEFFERSON.

William Dunbar, Esq.

P.S. July 18.—Since writing the preceding, your favor of June 10 has been received. The exchange of a peaceable for a warring neighbor at New Orleans, was undoubtedly ground of just and great disquietude on our part: and the necessity of acquiring the country could not be unperceived by any. The question which divided our Legislature (but not the nation) was, whether we should take it at once, and enter single handed into war with the most powerful nation on earth, or place things on the best footing practicable for the present, and avail ourselves of the first war in Europe (which it was clear was at no great distance) to obtain the country as the price of our neutrality, or as a reprisal for wrongs which we were sure enough to receive. The war happened somewhat sooner than was expected; but our measures were previously taken, and the thing took the best turn for both parties. Those who were honest in their reasons for preferring immediate war, will, in their candor, rejoice that their opinion was not followed. They may indeed still believe it was the best opinion according to probabilities. We, however, believed otherwise, and they, I am sure, will not be glad that we did. The letter of yesterday will show you my desire of receiving information from you, and I shall always be thankful for it. My wish is to have every thing, compare all together, and to do what, on the whole, I conscientiously think for the best. I repeat my salutations and esteem.