太子爷小说网 > 英语电子书 > part12 >

第7节

part12-第7节

小说: part12 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




changed in that time; that details respecting those who compose it

are no longer interesting or intelligible to you。  One source of

great change in social intercourse arose while you were with us; tho'

it's effects were as yet scarcely sensible on society or government。

I mean the British treaty; which produced a schism that went on

widening and rankling till the years '98; '99; when a final

dissolution of all bonds; civil & social; appeared imminent。  In that

awful crisis; the people awaked from the phrenzy into which they had

been thrown; began to return to their sober and ancient principles; &

have now become five…sixths of one sentiment; to wit; for peace;

economy; and a government bottomed on popular election in its

legislative & executive branches。  In the public counsels the federal

party hold still one…third。  This; however; will lessen; but not

exactly to the standard of the people; because it will be forever

seen that of bodies of men even elected by the people; there will

always be a greater proportion aristocratic than among their

constituents。  The present administration had a task imposed on it

which was unavoidable; and could not fail to exert the bitterest

hostility in those opposed to it。  The preceding administration left

99。 out of every hundred in public offices of the federal sect。

Republicanism had been the mark on Cain which had rendered those who

bore it exiles from all portion in the trusts & authorities of their

country。  This description of citizens called imperiously & justly

for a restoration of right。  It was intended; however; to have

yielded to this in so moderate a degree as might conciliate those who

had obtained exclusive possession; but as soon as they were touched;

they endeavored to set fire to the four corners of the public fabric;

and obliged us to deprive of the influence of office several who were

using it with activity and vigilance to destroy the confidence of the

people in their government; and thus to proceed in the drudgery of

removal farther than would have been; had not their own hostile

enterprises rendered it necessary in self…defence。  But I think it

will not be long before the whole nation will be consolidated in

their ancient principles; excepting a few who have committed

themselves beyond recall; and who will retire to obscurity & settled

disaffection。




        Altho' you will receive; thro' the official channel of the War

Office; every communication necessary to develop to you our views

respecting the Indians; and to direct your conduct; yet; supposing it

will be satisfactory to you; and to those with whom you are placed;

to understand my personal dispositions and opinions in this

particular; I shall avail myself of this private letter to state them

generally。  I consider the business of hunting as already become

insufficient to furnish clothing and subsistence to the Indians。  The

promotion of agriculture; therefore; and household manufacture; are

essential in their preservation; and I am disposed to aid and

encourage it liberally。  This will enable them to live on much

smaller portions of land; and indeed will render their vast forests

useless but for the range of cattle; for which purpose; also; as they

become better farmers; they will be found useless; and even

disadvantageous。  While they are learning to do better on less land;

our increasing numbers will be calling for more land; and thus a

coincidence of interests will be produced between those who have

lands to spare; and want other necessaries; and those who have such

necessaries to spare; and want lands。  This commerce; then; will be

for the good of both; and those who are friends to both ought to

encourage it。  You are in the station peculiarly charged with this

interchange; and who have it peculiarly in your power to promote

among the Indians a sense of the superior value of a little land;

well cultivated; over a great deal; unimproved; and to encourage them

to make this estimate truly。  The wisdom of the animal which

amputates & abandons to the hunter the parts for which he is pursued

should be theirs; with this difference; that the former sacrifices

what is useful; the latter what is not。  In truth; the ultimate point

of rest & happiness for them is to let our settlements and theirs

meet and blend together; to intermix; and become one people。

Incorporating themselves with us as citizens of the U。S。; this is

what the natural progress of things will of course bring on; and it

will be better to promote than to retard it。  Surely it will be

better for them to be identified with us; and preserved in the

occupation of their lands; than be exposed to the many casualties

which may endanger them while a separate people。  I have little doubt

but that your reflections must have led you to view the various ways

in which their history may terminate; and to see that this is the one

most for their happiness。  And we have already had an application

from a settlement of Indians to become citizens of the U。S。  It is

possible; perhaps probable; that this idea may be so novel as that it

might shock the Indians; were it even hinted to them。  Of course; you

will keep it for your own reflection; but; convinced of its

soundness; I feel it consistent with pure morality to lead them

towards it; to familiarize them to the idea that it is for their

interest to cede lands at times to the U S; and for us thus to

procure gratifications to our citizens; from time to time; by new

acquisitions of land。  From no quarter is there at present so strong

a pressure on this subject as from Georgia for the residue of the

fork of Oconee & Ockmulgee; and indeed I believe it will be difficult

to resist it。  As it has been mentioned that the Creeks had at one

time made up their minds to sell this; and were only checked in it by

some indiscretions of an individual; I am in hopes you will be able

to bring them to it again。  I beseech you to use your most earnest

endeavors; for it will relieve us here from a great pressure; and

yourself from the unreasonable suspicions of the Georgians which you

notice; that you are more attached to the interests of the Indians

than of the U S; and throw cold water on their willingness to part

with lands。  It is so easy to excite suspicion; that none are to be

wondered at; but I am in hopes it will be in your power to quash them

by effecting the object。




        Mr。 Madison enjoys better health since his removal to this

place than he had done in Orange。  Mr。 Giles is in a state of health

feared to be irrecoverable; although he may hold on for some time;

and perhaps be re…established。  Browze Trist is now in the

Mississippi territory; forming an establishment for his family; which

is still in Albemarle; and will remove to the Mississippi in the

spring。  Mrs。 Trist; his mother; begins to yield a little to time。  I

retain myself very perfect health; having not had 20。 hours of fever

in 42 years past。  I have sometimes had a troublesome headache; and

some slight rheumatic pains; but now sixty years old nearly; I have

had as little to complain of in point of health as most people。  I

learn you have the gout。  I did not expect that Indian cookery or

Indian fare would produce that; but it is considered as a security

for good health otherwise。  That it may be so with you; I sincerely

pray; and tender you my friendly and respectful salutations。







        MACHIAVELLIAN BENEVOLENCE AND THE INDIANS




        _To Governor William H。 Harrison_

        _Washington; February 27; 1803_




        DEAR SIR;  While at Monticello in August last I received your

favor of August 8th; and meant to have acknowledged it on my return

to the seat of government at the close of the ensuing month; but on

my return I found that you were expected to be on here in person; and

this expectation continued till winter。  I have since received your

favor of December 30th。




        In the former you mentioned the plan of the town which you had

done me the honor to name after me; and to lay out according to an

idea I had formerly expressed to you。  I am thoroughly persuaded that

it will be found handsome and pleasant; and I do believe it to be the

best means of preserving the cities of America from the scourge of

the yellow fever; which being peculiar to our country; must be

derived from some peculiarity in it。  That peculiarity I take to be

our cloudless skies。  In Europe; where the sun does not shine more

than half the number of days in the year which it does in America;

they can build their town in a solid block with impunity; buthere a

constant sun produces too great an accumulation ofheat to admit that。

Ventilation is indispensably necessary。  Experience has taught us

that in the open air of the country the yellow fever is not only not

generated;but ceases to be infectious。  I cannot decidefrom the

drawing you sent me; whether you havelaid 

返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的