whatever it may be, from the
Mississippi to the Pacific! Here are seven words which carry an empire
with them--the empire of humanity--a land in which democracy,
humanity, shall expand and grow forever! This is my news:

"General Bonaparte signed May 2--Fifteen millions--Rejoice!"

A deep sigh rose as if in unison all along the table. The event was
too large for instant grasping. There was no applause at first.
Some--many--did not understand. Not so certain others.

The minister from Great Britain, the minister from Spain, Aaron Burr
and a few other men acquainted with great affairs, prominent in public
life, turned and looked at the President's tall figure at the head of
the table, and then at that of the silent young man whom Mr.
Jefferson had publicly honored.

The face of Aaron Burr grew pale. The faces of the foreign ministers
showed sudden consternation. Theodosia Alston turned, her own eyes
fixed upon the grave face of the young man sitting at her side, who
made no sign of the strong emotion possessing his soul.

"I have given you my news," the voice of Mr. Jefferson went on, rising
now, vibrant and masterful, fearless, compelling. "There you have it,
this little message, large as any ever written in the world. The title
to that Western land has passed to us. We set our seal on it now! Cost
what it may, we shall hold it so long as we can claim a flag or a
country on this continent. The price is nothing. Fifteen millions
means no more than the wine or water left in a half-empty glass. It
might be fifty times fifteen millions, and yet not be one fiftieth
enough. These things are not to be measured by known signs or marks of
values. It is not in human comprehension to know what we have gained.
Hence we have no human right to boast. The hand of Almighty God is in
this affair! It was He who guided the fingers of those who signed this
cession to the United States of America!

"My friends, now I am content. What remains is but detail. Our duty is
plain. Between us and this purpose, I shall hold all intervention of
whatever nature, friendly or hostile, as no more than details to be
ignored. Yonder lies and has always lain the scene of my own ambition.
Always I have hungered to know that vast new land beyond all maps, as
yet ignorant of human metes and bounds. Always I have coveted it for
this republic, knowing that without room for expansion we must fail,
that with it we shall triumph to the edge of our ultim