Mr. B. concluded by observing, that he hoped he might still flatter himself with the expectation, that what had recently occurred, would induce the House to vary from the determination they had made, and adopt the resolution.
The question was taken, that the House do agree to the resolution of Mr. Griswold, and passed in the negative—yeas 35, nays 51.
Wednesday, January 12.
Purchase of Louisiana.
[The injunction of secrecy having been removed from the following proceedings, had in secret session, they are here inserted under the proper date.]
Ordered, That the Committee of the whole House, to whom was yesterday committed a motion in the words following, to wit:
"Resolved, That a sum of two millions of dollars, in addition to the provision heretofore made, be appropriated to defray any expenses which may be incurred in relation to the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations, to be paid out of any money that may be in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, and to be applied under the direction of the President of the United States, who, if necessary, is hereby authorized to borrow the whole or any part thereof; an account whereof, as soon as may be, shall be laid before Congress:"
be discharged from the consideration thereof, and that the motion be referred to Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Eustis, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Dickson, Mr. Lowndes, Mr. Thompson, and Mr. Gregg; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.
The committee to whom was referred a resolution proposing an appropriation of two millions of dollars, in addition to the sum usually appropriated for the purposes of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations, submit the following report:
The object of this resolution is to enable the Executive to commence, with more effect, a negotiation with the French and Spanish Governments relative to the purchase from them of the island of New Orleans, and the provinces of East and West Florida. This object is deemed highly important and has received the attentive consideration of the committee. The free and unmolested navigation of the river Mississippi is a point to which the attention of the General Government has been directed, ever since the peace of 1783, by which our independence as a nation was finally acknowledged. The immense tract of country owned by the United States, which lies immediately on the Mississippi, or communicates with it by means of large navigable rivers rising within our boundaries, renders its free navigation an object, not only of inestimable advantage, but of the very first necessity. The Mississippi forms the western boundary of the United States, from its source to the 31st degree of north latitude, and empties itself into the Gulf of Mexico, about the 29th degree of north latitude. It furnishes the only outlet through which the produce of the Indiana Territory, of the States of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and of the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and a portion of the Mississippi Territory, can be transported to a foreign market, or to the ports of the Atlantic States. From the 31st degree of north latitude, which is the southern boundary of the United States, to the mouth of the river, the territory on each side has heretofore been in possession of the Spanish Government; the province of Louisiana lying to the west, and those of East Florida, with the island of New Orleans, to the east. Although the United States have insisted on an uncontrollable right to pass up and down the river, from its source to the sea, yet this right, if admitted in its most ample latitude, will not secure to them the full advantages of navigation. The strength and rapidity of the current of the Mississippi are known to render its ascent so extremely difficult, that few vessels of burden have attempted to go as far as our boundary. This circumstance obliges the citizens of the Western country to carry their produce down the river in boats, from which it is put on board of ships capable of sustaining a sea voyage. It follows, therefore, that to enjoy the full benefits of navigation, some place should be fixed which sea vessels can approach without great inconvenience, where the American produce may be deposited until it is again shipped to be carried abroad. This great point was secured to us in the year 1795, by the Spanish Government, who agreed, in the treaty of San Lorenzo el Real, that Americans should have the right to deposit at New Orleans. This right has been used from that time till a late period; but the conduct of the Intendant at that place shows how liable the advantageous navigation of the river is to interruption, and strongly points out the impolicy of relying on a foreign nation for benefits, which our citizens have a right to expect should be secured to them by their own Government It is hoped that the port of New Orleans may again be opened before any very material injuries arise; but should this be the case, or if, as the treaty provides, a new place of deposit should be assigned, the late occurrence shows the uncertainty of its continuance. Experience proves that the caprice or the interested views of a single officer may perpetually subject us to the alternative of submitting to injury, or of resorting to war.