ht which has been long suspended in exercise, with
extreme inconvenience on our part, merely with a desire of reconciling
Spain to what it, is impossible for us to relinquish. An accident at
this day, like that now complained of, would put further parley beyond
our power; yet to such accidents we are every day exposed by the
irregularities of their officers, and the impatience of our citizens.
Should any spark kindle these dispositions of our borderers into a
flame, we are involved beyond recall by the eternal principles of
justice to our citizens, which we will never abandon. In such an event,
Spain cannot possibly gain; and what may she not lose?

The boldness of this act of the Governor of New Orleans, and of his
avowal of it, renders it essential to us to understand the court of
Spain on this subject. You will therefore avail yourself of the earliest
occasion of obtaining their sentiments, and of communicating them to us.

I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Sir, your most obedient and
most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LIII.--TO WILLIAM SHORT, March 12,1791

TO WILLIAM SHORT.

Philadelphia, March 12,1791.

Dear Sir,

The enclosed papers will explain to you a case which imminently
endangers the peace of the United States with Spain. It is not indeed of
recent date, but it has been recently laid before government, and is
of so bold a feature, as to render dangerous to our rights a further
acquiescence in their suspension. The middle ground held by France
between us and Spain, both in friendship and interest, requires that
we should communicate with her with the fullest confidence on this
occasion. I therefore enclose you a copy of my letter to Mr. Carmichael,
and of the papers it refers to, to be communicated to Monsieur de
Montmorin, whose efficacious interference with the court of Madrid you
are desired to ask. We rely with great confidence on his friendship,
justice, and influence.

A cession of the navigation of the Mississippi, with such privileges
as to make it useful, and free from future chicane, can be no longer
dispensed with on our part: and perhaps while I am writing, something
may have already happened to cut off this appeal to friendly
accommodation. To what consequences such an event would lead, cannot be
calculated. To such, very possibly, as we should lament, without being
able to control. Your earnestness with Monsieur de Montmorin, and
his with the court of Spai