Thomas Jefferson's Prophesy of a Southern Confederacy (1861)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, July 20, 1861

It is a remarkable fact that at the time of the acquisition of the Louisiana territory, 1804, the opponents of that measure predicted the ultimate formation of a new confederacy which would usurp the control of the eastern affluents of the Mississippi river. It was in reference to such sinister prophesies that Mr. Jefferson wrote as follows to Mr. Breckinridge, under date of August 12th, 1803. We quite from the fourth volume of his writings, as published by Congress.

"Objections are raising to the Eastward against the vast extent of our boundaries, and propositions are made to exchange Louisiana, or a art of it, for the Floridas. But, as I have said, we shall get the Floridas without, and I would not give one inch of the waters of the Mississippi to any nation, because I see in a light very important to our peace the exclusive right to its navigation, and the admission of no nation into it, but as into the potomac or Delaware, with our consent and under our police. These Federalists see in this acquisition the formation of a new Confederacy, embracing all the waters of the Mississippi, on both sides of it, and a separation of its eastern waters from us. These combinations depend on so many circumstances which we cannot foresee, but that I place little reliance on them. We have seldom seen neighborhood produce affection among nations. The reverse is almost universal truth. Besides, if it should become the great interest of those nations to induce them to go through that convulsion, why should we, their present inhabitants, take sides in such a questions?

"Wen I view the Atlantic States procuring for those on the eastern seaters of the Mississippi friendly instead of hostile neighbors on its western waters, I do not view it as an Englishman would of procuring future blessings for the French nation, with whom he has no relations of blood or affection. The future inhabitants of the Atlantic and Mississippi States will be our sons. We leave them in distinct but bordering establishments. We think we see their happiness in their union and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise! and if they see their interest in separation, why should we take side with our Atlantic rather than our Mississippi descendants? It is the elder and younger son differing. 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, an exchange of 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." -National Intelligencer.