Remarks on a Reprint of the Original Letters of Washington to Joseph Reed

37 Judge Marshall’s Text. Text of the Letter-Books. LETTER TO JACOB READ. “ If either of these happen, there is a line of separation drawn between the eastern and western country at once, the consequences of which may be fatal. To tell any man of information how fast the latter is settling, how much more rapidly it will settle by means of foreign emigrants who can have no particular predilection for us, of the vast fertility of the soil, of the population to which the country is competent, would be unnecessary; and equally unnecessary would it 'he to observe, that it is by the cement of interest alone we can be held together. If, then, the trade of that country should flow through the Mississippi or the St. Lawrence ; if the inhabitants thereof should form commercial connections, which we know lead to intercourses of other kinds, they would in a few years be as unconnected with us, as are those of South America. “ It may be asked, How are we to prevent this ? Happily for us, the way is plain. Our Nov. 3d, 1784. “ If either of these happen, there is a line of separation drawn between the eastern and western country at once, the consequences of which may be fatal. To tell any man of information how fast the latter is settling, how much more rapidly it will settle by means of foreign emigrants who can have no particular predilection for us, of the vast fertility of the soil, and population the country is competent to, would be futile; and equally nugatory to observe, that it is by the cement of interest alone we can be held together. If, then, the trade of that country should flow through the Mississippi or St. Lawrence; if the inhabitants thereof should form commercial connections,which lead, we knoxo, to intercourses of other kinds, they would in a few years be as unconnected with us, indeed more so, than we are with South America, and entirely alienated from us. “ It may be asked how we are to prevent this. Happily for us, the way is plain, and

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=