The
navigation of the Mississippi was, perhaps, the strongest trial to which
the justice of the federal government could be put. If ever they thought
wrong about it, I trust they have got to rights. I should think it
proper for the western country to defer pushing their right to that
navigation to extremity, as long as they can do without it, tolerably;
but that the moment it becomes absolutely necessary for them, it will
become the duty of the maritime states to push it to every extremity,
to which they would their own right of navigating the Chesapeake, the
Delaware, the Hudson, or any other water. A time of peace will not
be the surest for obtaining this object. Those, therefore, who have
influence in the new country, would act wisely, to endeavor to keep
things quiet till the western parts of Europe shall be engaged in war.
Notwithstanding the aversion of the courts of London and Versailles to
war, it is not certain that some incident may not engage them in it.
England, France, Spain, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark will all have fleets
at sea, or ready to put to sea immediately.
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