1820. Sept. 3

Emancipation Spanish

Summary

Transfer to U.S.

Whether of the Spanish American territory there be any other part which in the estimation of the United States would afford them any advantage - advantage in that same or any other shape, it is not for me to say with any decision. For the purpose of the argument I will /may however be permitted/ assume the affirmative: at any rate the proposal carries no absurdity - for it carries not so much as novelty - upon the face of it.

Will then your rulers make the overture to their rulers, you make to them this proposal. Give us so much money we will not only give up to you all our claims to such or such a province naming it but, on your acceding to certain stipulations in favour of the inhabitants, we will do what depends upon us towards recommending the proposal to their favour and obtaining their consent. You have no objection to the admitting new States into your confederacy. You are in use to do so. You are in use to take in young States to nurse, till they are to a certain degree grown up till they are in such a degree of strength as to be fit to go alone and train up in your own calling /way/ till they are of age, at which time you take them into partnership. Well then if the proposal be agreeable to you take the good people of this province: with regard to the land as yet unoccupied in it you shall stand in our place. But, as it is not our meaning to sell them for slaves so neither is it yours to buy them for slaves. It is not by force and taxing them for money to put into your pocket that you look for your profit, but in that land to which without loss to any one the goodness of your Constitution - of that Constitution which you let them into the benefit of - will give a value. It must therefore be with their consent if they become members of your confederacy, not otherwise.