An accident at
this day, like that now complained of, would put further parley beyond
our power; yet to such accidents we are every day exposed by the
irregularities of their officers, and the impatience of our citizens.
Should any spark kindle these dispositions of our borderers into a
flame, we are involved beyond recall by the eternal principles of
justice to our citizens, which we will never abandon. In such an event,
Spain cannot possibly gain; and what may she not lose?
The boldness of this act of the Governor of New Orleans, and of his
avowal of it, renders it essential to us to understand the court of
Spain on this subject. You will therefore avail yourself of the earliest
occasion of obtaining their sentiments, and of communicating them to us.
I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,
Th: Jefferson.
LETTER LIII.--TO WILLIAM SHORT, March 12,1791
TO WILLIAM SHORT.
Philadelphia, March 12,1791.
Dear Sir,
The enclosed papers will explain to you a case which imminently
endangers the peace of the United States with Spain. It is not indeed of
recent date, but it has been recently laid before government, and is
of so bold a feature, as to render dangerous to our rights a further
acquiescence in their suspension.
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