This is reversing
the natural order of things. A tractable people may be governed in large
bodies: but in proportion as they depart from this character, the extent
of their government must be less. We see into what small divisions the
Indians are obliged to reduce their societies. This measure, with the
disposition to shut up the Mississippi, gives me serious apprehensions
of the severance of the eastern and western parts of our confederacy. It
might have been made the interest of the western States to remain united
with us, by managing their interests honestly, and for their own good.
But the moment we sacrifice their interests to our own, they will see
it better to govern themselves. The moment they resolve to do this,
the point is settled. A forced connection is neither our interest,
nor within our power. The Virginia act for religious freedom has been
received with infinite approbation in Europe, and propagated with
enthusiasm. I do not mean by the governments, but by the individuals who
compose them. It has been translated into French and Italian, has been
sent to most of the courts of Europe, and has been the best evidence of
the falsehood of those reports, which stated us to be in anarchy.
Pages:
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148