Are you more inclined to agree with Griswold or Madison? Why?
It is, in my opinion, scarcely possible for any gentleman on this floor to advance an opinion that the President
and Senate may add to the members of the union by treaty whenever they please, or, in the words of this
treaty, may incorporate in the union of the United States a foreign nation who, from interest or ambition, may
wish to become a member of our government. Such a power would be directly repugnant to the original
compact between the states, and a violation of the principles on which that compact was formed.
The incorporation of a foreign nation into the Union, so far from tending to preserve the Union, is a direct
inroad upon it. It destroys the perfect union contemplated between the original parties, by interposing an alien
and a stranger to share the powers of government with them . . .
This subject was much considered during the last session of Congress, but it will not be found . . . that any
individual entertained the least wish to obtain the province of Louisiana. Our views were then confined to New
OrIeans and the Florida, and, in my judgment, if would have been happy for the country if they were still
confirmed within those limits. The vast and unmanageable extent which the accession of Louisiana will give to
the United States; the consequent dispersion of our population; and the destruction of that balance which it is
so important to maintain between the Eastern and Western states, threatens, at no very distant day, the
subversion of our Union.
Dear Sir
. . . The purchase of Louisiana in its full extent, tho' not contemplated is received with warm, & in a manner
universal approbation (approval). The uses to which it may be turned, render it a truly noble acquisition. Under
prudent management it may be made to do much good as well as to prevent much evil. By lessening the military
establishment . . . it will answer the double purpose of saving expense & favoring liberty. This is a point of view
in which the Treaty will be particularly grateful to a most respectable description of our citizens. It will be of
great importance also to take the regulation & settlement of that Territory out of other hands (French hands),
into those of the U. S. who will be able to manage both for the general interest & conveniency. By securing also
the exclusive jurisdiction (control) of the Mississippi to the mouth, a source of much perplexity (confusion) . . .is effectually cut off.