ting, on which our
representations were predicated, and the wisdom of timely sacrifice. But
when these people make the war give us everything, they authorize us
to ask what the war gave us in their day? They had a war; what did they
make it bring us? Instead of making our neutrality the ground of gain to
their country, they were for plunging into the war. And if they were
now in place, they would now be at war against the atheists and
disorganizers of France. They were for making their country an appendage
to England. We are friendly, cordially and conscientiously friendly to
England, but we are not hostile to France. We will be rigorously just
and sincerely friendly to both. I do not believe we shall have as much
to swallow from them as our predecessors had.

*****

Present me respectfully to Mrs. Gates, and accept yourself my
affectionate salutations, and assurances of great respect and esteem.

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER CCCVI.--TO MR. BRECKENRIDGE, August 12, 1803

TO MR. BRECKENRIDGE.

Monticello, August 12, 1803.

Dear Sir,

The enclosed letter, though directed to you, was intended to me also,
and was left open with a request, that when forwarded, I would forward
it to you. It gives me occasion to write a word to you on the subject
of Louisiana, which being a new one, an interchange of sentiments may
produce correct ideas before we are to act on them.

Our information as to the country is very incomplete: we have taken
measures to obtain it full as to the settled part, which I hope to
receive in time for Congress. The boundaries, which I deem not admitting
question, are the high lands on the western side of the Mississippi
enclosing all its waters, the Missouri of course, and terminating in the
line drawn from the northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods to
the nearest source of the Mississippi, as lately settled between Great
Britain and the United States. We have some claims, to extend on the
sea-coast westwardly to the Rio Norte or Bravo, and better, to go
eastwardly to the Rio Perdido, between Mobile and Pensacola, the ancient
boundary of Louisiana. These claims will be a subject of negotiation
with Spain, and if, as soon as she is at war, we push them strongly with
one hand, holding out a price in the other, we shall certainly obtain
the Floridas, and all in good time. In the mean while, without waiting
for permission, we shall enter into the exercise of the natural right we
have always insis