The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 9 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
March the 27th. Judge Breckenridge gives me the following information:
He and Mr. Ross were originally very intimate; indeed, he says, he found
him keeping a little Latin school, and advised and aided him in the
study of law, and brought him forward. After Ross became a Senator, and
particularly at the time of the western insurrection, they still were in
concert. After the British treaty, Ross, on his return, informed him there
was a party in the United States who wanted to overturn the government,
who were in league with France; that France, by a secret article of treaty
with Spain was to have Louisiana; and that Great Britain was likely to be
our best friend and dependence. On this information, he, Breckenridge,
was induced to become an advocate for the British treaty. During this
intimacy with Ross, he says, that General Collot, in his journey to the
western country, called on him, and he frequently led Breckenridge into
conversations on their grievances under the government, and particularly
the western expedition; that he spoke to him of the advantages that
country would have in joining France when she should hold Louisiana;
showed him a map he had drawn of that part of the country; pointed out
the passes in the mountain, and the facility with which they might hold
them against the United States, and with which France could support
them from New Orleans. He says, that in these conversations, Collot let
himself out with common prudence. He says, Michaud, (to whom I, at the
request of Genet, had given a letter of introduction to the Governor of
Kentucky as a botanist, which was his real profession,) called on him;
that Michaud had a commissary's commission for the expedition, which
Genet had planned from that quarter against the Spaniards; that ----, the
late Spanish commandant of St. Genevieve, with one Powers, an Englishman,
called on him. That from all these circumstances, together with Ross'
stories, he did believe that there was a conspiracy to deliver our
country, or some part of it at least, to the French; that he made notes
of what passed between himself and Collot and the others, and lent them
to Mr. Ross, who gave them to the President, by whom they were deposited
in the office of the Board of War; that when he complained to Ross of
this breach of confidence, he endeavored to get off by compliments on
the utility and importance of his notes. They now cooled towards each
other; and his opposition to Ross's election as Governor has separated
them in truth, though not entirely to appearance.
Doctor Rush tells me, that within a few days he has heard a member
of Congress lament our separation from Great Britain, and express his
sincere wishes that we were again dependent on her.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account