power, would leave the state of the ocean no longer problematical.  Were, on the other hand, England to give the money, and France the dispositions to place us on the sea in all our force, the whole world, out of the continent of Europe, might be our joint monopoly.  We wish for neither of these scenes.  We ask for peace and justice from all nations, and we will remain uprightly neutral in fact, though leaning in belief to the opinion that an English ascendancy on the ocean is safer for us than that of France.  We begin to broach the idea that we consider the whole Gulf Stream as of our waters, in which hostilities and cruising are to be frowned on for the present, and prohibited so soon as either consent or force will permit us.  We shall never permit another privateer to cruise within it, and shall forbid our harbors to national cruisers.  This is essential for our tranquillity and commerce.  Be so good as to have the enclosed letters delivered, to present me to your family, and be assured yourself of my unalterable friendship.

For fear of accidents I shall not make the unnecessary addition of my name.

LETTER XXXII.—­TO GENERAL SMITH, May 4,1806

TO GENERAL SMITH.

Washington, May 4,1806.

Dear Sir,

I received your favor covering some papers from General Wilkinson.  I have repented but of one appointment there, that of Lucas, whose temper I see overrules every good quality and every qualification he has.  Not a single fact has appeared, which occasions me to doubt that I could have made a fitter appointment than General Wilkinson.  One qualm of principle I acknowledge I do feel, I mean the union of the civil and military authority.  You remember that when I came into office, while we were lodging together at Conrad’s, he was pressed on me to be made Governor of the Mississippi territory; and that I refused it on that very principle.  When, therefore, the House of Representatives took that ground, I was not insensible to its having some weight.  But in the appointment to Louisiana, I did not think myself departing from my own principle, because I consider it not as a civil government, but merely a military station.  The legislature had sanctioned that idea by the establishment of the office of Commandant, in which were completely blended the civil and military powers.  It seemed, therefore, that the Governor should be in suit with them.  I observed too, that the House of Representatives, on the very day they passed the stricture on this union of authorities, passed a bill making the Governor of Michigan, commander of the regular troops which should at any time be within his government.  However, on the subject of General Wilkinson nothing is in contemplation at this time.  We shall see what turn things take at home and abroad in the course of the summer.  Monroe has had a second conversation with Mr. Fox, which gives me hopes that we shall have an amicable arrangement with that government.  Accept my friendly salutations, and assurances of great esteem and respect.