Extract from Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark

we shall divert through our own Country a branch of commerce which the European States have thought worthy of the most important struggles and sacrifices, and in the event of peace on terms which have been contemplated by some powers we shall form to the American union a barrier against the dangerous extension of the British Province of Canada and add to the Empire of liberty an extensive and fertile Country thereby converting dangerous Enemies into valuable friends.

FC (Vi). RC of Dupl (WHi); originally dated “december 25th. 1780”; corrected, signed, and dated by TJ: “Jan. 19. 1781.” Published in PTJ, 4:237.
Date Range
Date
January 19, 1781
Repository
Quote Category