adduced in stipulating for the right of its navigation; that now since it was certainly determined and known, that such was not the fact, she possessed no natural grounds on which to found the right; that Spain at the date of those treaties owned the entire western bank of the river from its mouth to its source, and consequently possessed an equal interest with the United States in its navigation, who could not, therefore, convey to a third party that interest, or any portion of it, unsanctioned by the former; that in 1803, by purchase, the United States became possessed of the entire Spanish interest, which placed her upon different grounds from those on which she stood in 1783 and 1794. Besides, Mr. Clay argued, what connection is there between the fishing privilege, and the right of navigating the Mississippi? The treaties showed none, their nature none. Why select as the equivalent for the privilege, the Mississippi? Why not barter the Potomac, or the Hudson for it? There was something calculated to excite suspicion in this attempt of our powerful enemy to introduce her invincible navy to the ‘father of rivers.’ It looked like feeling for the _purse-strings of the nation_. He would as soon yield a portion of her blood-bought territory, as this noblest of her streams, to become the resort of the British lion, where he might make his permanent lair, and eventually place his huge paw upon the crest of her eagle. Though as anxious as his colleagues possibly could be for the preservation of their fishing privileges, he could not consent to effect it by a purchase so expensive as that proposed. Thus Mr. Clay remained immovably determined to act in accordance with his convictions of duty in consulting the interests of that nation which he represented. The value of those interests, undoubtedly secured by the decided position which he assumed and maintained, is of such magnitude as to be inappreciable; they constitute a corner stone of the temple of liberty, destined to abide as long as she shall make it her abode. Subsequently to the British ministers’ becoming acquainted with the conclusion of the American commissioners, respecting the exchange, they, in a counter project of a treaty, submitted to the latter, proposed among other articles one to renew the right of navigation in question, without any equivalent. After much deliberation this was rejected. Finally, it was mutually agreed by both parties to refrain from inserting any article in the treaty, relating either to the fisheries or the navigation of the Mississippi. Thus the pride of the west and the glory of America was suffered to roll his majestic tide in beauty and grandeur to the ocean, unburthened by foreign vessels and unfettered by regal sway.