1822 April 2

Rid Yourselves

Lett. Relinquishment mode

III. Sale to Foreigners

My friends in what way the people in question make acquisitions is now sufficiently

known by experience: admitting the inhabitants of the acquired territory to the

benefit of only existing sort of government that deserves the name to a /the/

participation in measure of felicity never conceived till it was exemplified - and on

perfectly equal terms Whether on these which are at all times their only terms there

be a portion of territory any where which they would accept, if your rulers would

give it to them and the inhabitants pray of them to accept it is more than I can

pretend /take upon me/ to say: still less whether there be any which they would pay

for by a disbursement. No territory I conclude would they accept on any terms that

was not contiguous to some part of theirs. On this occasion, Louisiana and the

Floridas present themselves of course to view. The Floridas they took for a bad debt.

Louisiana alone they paid a price for and /but/ that price was a large one. but in

these days money was more plenty with them than at present. The purpose for which I

mention these examples, because in the event of their being disposed to receive the

inhabitants or any terms, the occasion /advantage //opportunity// / as presented to

those same inhabitants in so cheering and so unexampled one are: antecedently to

consent, they have but to repair to the several spots in any number and see with

their own eyes, the sort of treatment received by these kinsmen at the hands of their

new acquired brethren.