n to us, the danger of
risking our credit by putting such a mass of our paper into new hands,
will, I dare say, appear to you, Sir, substantial reasons for declining
this measure; and the more so, as the new instructions given to Mr.
Short, are to raise money as fast as our credit will admit: and we have
no reason to suppose it cannot be as soon done by our ancient bankers as
by others. Our desire to pay our whole debt, principal and interest, to
France, is as strong as hers can be to receive it, and we believe, that
by the arrangements already taken it will be as soon done for her, and
more safely and advantageously for us than by a change of them. We
beg you to be assured, that no exertions are sparing on our part to
accomplish this desirable object, as it will be peculiarly gratifying to
us, that monies advanced to us in critical times, should be reimbursed
to France in times equally critical to her.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and
respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th: Jefferson.

LETTER LXII.--TO THE ATTORNEY OF THE DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY, May 7,1791

TO THE ATTORNEY OF THE DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY.

Philadelphia, May 7,1791.

Sir,

A certain James O'Fallon is, as we are informed, undertaking to raise,
organize, and commission an army, of his own authority, and independent
of that of the government, the object of which is, to go and possess
themselves of lands which have never yet been granted by any authority,
which the government admits to be legal, and with an avowed design to
hold them by force against any power, foreign or domestic. As this will
inevitably commit our whole nation in war with the Indian nations, and
perhaps others, it cannot be permitted that all the inhabitants of the
United States shall be involved in the calamities of war, and the blood
of thousands of them be poured out, merely that a few adventurers may
possess themselves of lands: nor can a well-ordered government tolerate
such an assumption of its sovereignty by unauthorized individuals. I
send you herein the Attorney General's opinion of what may legally be
done, with a desire that you proceed against the said O'Fallon
according to law. It is not the wish, to extend the prosecution to
other individuals, who may have given thoughtlessly in to his unlawful
proceeding. I enclose you a proclamation to this effect. But they may be
assured, that if this undertaking be p