He  has  been  a<lvanced  to  the  rank  of  a  general  of  division.  He
persuades  them  that  the  Indians  are  extremely  attached  to  France^
and  hate  the  Americans;  that  they  can  raise  twenty  thousand
warriors ;  that  the  country  is  a  paradise.  I  believe  him  to  be  a  mere
adventurer,  but  he  is  listened  to."

This  news,  confirmed  from  many  quarters  and  inferred  from  many
facts,  was  alarming  in<leed.  Nor  could  it  be  longiir  confined  to
official  circles.  Kentucky  was  in  a  flame.  The  presilent  was
deeply  stirred ;  for  he  was  as  well  aware  as  Rnfus  King  that  the
new  master  of  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi  was  not  a  person  whom
an  eloquent  despati;h  could  intimidate.  The  Spaniards  had  retained
Louisiana  on  sulFerance :  the  United  States  could  have  it  at  any
time  from  them;  but  the  French  would  be  likely  to  hold  their
ancient  possession  with  a  tighter  clutch;  and  not  content  themselves


644  LIPB  OF  THOMAS  JBFFBESON.
with  two  or  three  trading-posts  in  a  fertile  territory  large  enough
for  an  empire.  Jefferson,  from  the  hour  when  the  intelligence
reached  him,  had  only  this  thought :  The  French  must  not  have
New  Orleans ;  no  one  but  ourselves  must  own  our  own  street-door.
