God bless them both, and
keep them in union, if it be for their good, but separate them, if it be
better. The inhabited part of Louisiana, from Point Coupee to the sea,
will of course be immediately a territorial government, and soon a
State. But above that, the best use we can make of the country for some
time, will be to give establishments in it to the Indians on the east
side of the Mississippi, in exchange for their present country, and open
land-offices in the last, and thus make this acquisition the means of
filling up the eastern side, instead of drawing off its population. When
we shall be full on this side, we may lay off a range of States on the
western bank from the head to the mouth, and so, range after range,
advancing compactly as we multiply.
This treaty must of course be laid before both Houses, because both have
important functions to exercise respecting it. They, I presume, will
see their duty to their country in ratifying and paying for it, so as
to secure a good which would otherwise probably be never again in
their power. But I suppose they must then appeal to the nation for an
additional article to the constitution, approving and confirming an act
which the nation had not previously authorized. The constitution has
made no provision for our holding foreign territory, still less for
incorporating foreign nations into our Union.
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