cited over affairs in the West, and fearful of a collision with the overshadowing power of France; when the fate of the Mississippi appeared to be hanging in the balance, and might turn either way; that President Jefferson sent to Congress the now famous message of January i.S, 1803, recommending an exploring expedition to the Pacific.
Its two divisions. The first part. This document contains two distinct parts, which ought, however, to be read together. The first part deals with questions which apparently relate wholly to Indian affairs. But the reader of the message can readily see that the President's chief purpose was to provide additional protection to the Alississippi River. He felt strongly that our interests would not be safe till the United States had a large population in the West, and especially along the great river itself. The government must encourage the westward movement in every proper way, and thus "plant upon the Mississippi itself the means of its own safety." But especially must an effort be made to establish American settlements on the great stretches of unoccupied land immediately along the east bank. Since the Indian tribes owned most of this land, something must be done to induce them to part with it; and Jefferson believed that the best method was to continue selling them goods, including ploughs and other implements which had a tendency to make of the Indians as agricultural people. With the expansion of their corn fields, the growth of their herds and flocks, they would see the uselessness of retaining
