will see them succeed one another, truly worthy of the regard and care of Providence in the bosom of equality under just laws, freed from the errors of superstition and the scourges of bad government.”

He who represented the nation with whom we negotiated, when he afterwards gave to the world his account of the transactions, declared:  “The consequences of the cession of Louisiana will extend to the most distant posterity.  It interests vast regions that will become by their civilization and power the rivals of Europe before another century commences,” and warmed to enthusiasm by the developments already in view and greater ones promised, he added:  “Who can contemplate without vivid emotion this spectacle of the happiness of the present generation and the certain pledges of the prosperity of numberless generations that will follow?  At these magnificent prospects the heart beats with joy in the breasts of those who were permitted to see the dawn of these bright days, and who are assured that so many happy presages will be accomplished.”

There was another prophet, greater than all—­prophet and priest—­who, higher up the mountain than others, heard more distinctly the voice of destiny, whose heart and soul were full of prophecy and whose every faculty was tense and strong as he wrought for our nation’s advancement and for the peace and contentment of his fellow-countryman.  From the fullness of gratitude and joy, he thus wrote to one who had assisted in the consummation of this great treaty: 

“For myself and my country, I thank you for the aid you have given in it; and I congratulate you on having lived to give these aids in a transaction replete with blessings to unborn millions of men, and which will mark the face of a portion of the globe so extensive as that which now composes the United States of America;” and when, as President, he gave notice in a message to Congress of the actual occupancy by the Government of its new acquisition, he happily presaged the future and gave assurance of his complete faith and confidence in the beneficent result of our nation’s extensions, in these words:  “On this important acquisition, so favorable to the immediate interests of our western citizens, so auspicious to the peace and security of the nation in general, which adds to our country territories so extensive and fertile and to our citizens new brethren to partake of the blessings of freedom and self-government, I offer Congress and our country my sincere congratulations.”

Our prophets do not live forever.  They are not here to see how stupendously the growth and development of the American nation, or the domain newly acquired in their day, have, during a short century, outrun their anticipations and predictions.

Almost within the limits of the territory gained by the Louisiana purchase, we have already carved out twelve great States, leaving still