ans and the country on
both sides of it on the Gulf of Mexico, into a State; and, as to all
above that, to transplant our Indians into it, constituting them a
Marechaussee to prevent emigrants crossing the river, until we shall
have filled up all the vacant country on this side. This will secure
both Spain and us as to the mines of Mexico, for half a century, and we
may safely trust the provisions for that time to the men who shall live
in it.

I have communicated with Mr. Gallatin on the subject of using your
house in any matters of consequence we may have to do at Paris. He
is impressed with the same desire I feel to give this mark of our
confidence in you, and the sense we entertain of your friendship and
fidelity. Mr. Behring informs him that none of the money which will be
due from us to him, as the assignee of France, will be wanting at Paris.
Be assured that our dispositions are such as to let no occasion pass
unimproved, of serving you, where occurrences will permit it.

Present my respects to Madame Dupont, and accept yourself assurances of
my constant and warm friendship.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER V.--TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON, November 4,1803

TO ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON.

Washington, November 4,1803.

Dear Sir,

A report reaches us this day from Baltimore (on probable, but not
certain grounds), that Mr. Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the First
Consul, was yesterday* married to Miss Patterson of that city. The
effect of this measure on the mind of the First Consul, is not for me to
suppose; but as it might occur to him _prima facie_, that the executive
of the United States ought to have prevented it, I have thought it
advisable to mention the subject to you, that if necessary, you may by
explanations set that idea to rights. You know that by our laws, all
persons are free to enter into marriage, if of twenty-one years of age,
no one having a power to restrain it, not even their parents; and that
under that age, no one can prevent it but the parent or guardian. The
lady is under age, and the parents, placed between her affections
which were strongly fixed, and the considerations opposing the measure,
yielded with pain and anxiety to the former.

* November 8. It is now said that it did not take place on
the 3rd, but will this day.

Mr. Patterson is the President of the bank of Baltimore, the wealthiest
man in Maryland, perhaps in the United States, except Mr. Carroll; a man
of great virtue