3

Supposed to be about the distance of one hundred miles from
the Musscel Shoals [sic], directly in the way from thence to Moabile [sic].

The distance from the Shoals, to the town of Moable [sic] does not
exceed two hundred miles- the portage across from the Tennessee,
to the Bigby, is about thirty, Miles, and to where the tide ebbs
and flows not more than one hundred. I state these circumstances
to you sir, to explain and evince, in what an advantageous a
manner, the ^our intercourse and commerce, may be carried on with,
I may say, all the World? with every Quarter of the Globe? The small String, or neck of land,
lying between Tennessee and Bigby rivers, is the all the difficulty;
and easily Surmounted which is so trivial, that it is not worth
examining, in the great scale of ^the Western commerce, that must ere
long, be equal if not greatly superior, to any in all America;
May I not say, in the whole world? - Will the American
Congress, Cramp and refuse to the Western Americans, the great natural
advantages and blessings, providence has designed for, us ^and placed before them? Will the
that body suffer the Citizens to be drained out of their States, by
and migrate into by other nations, who will encourage take the advan
=tage of our discords and jealousies; by granting to emigrants the
privileges of promoting their natural & useful advantages?
God forbid, I hope they will not. And I sincerely pray, they will
Maturily deliberate on the matters and things relative to the
^interest of the Western Country, while they have it in their power, to keep us united,
by only granting and extending our just and equitable rights. A thing so just
in itself, that I am flattered with a belief, cannot be denied -
I have the honor &c &c