THE MONROE DOCTRINE 297 



But it was Jefferson who grasped the idea of foreign an- 

 tipathy more definitely, perhaps, than had any of his contem- 

 poraries. Although a strict constructionist, he violated his 

 convictions of constitutional interpretation and purchased the 

 Louisiana territory to keep it out of the hands of France or 

 England, either of which he regarded as a dangerous neigh- 

 bor. " Previous, however, to this period," he urged upon a 

 hesitating Congress " we had not been unaware of the 

 danger to which our peace would be perpetually exposed 

 whilst so important a key to the commerce of the Western 

 country remained under foreign power." This sudden 

 acquisition of a large contiguous territory, bringing into the 

 nation an empire to be settled and prepared for statehood, 

 strengthened the bonds of the federation, and gave fresh 

 vigor to the Republic. It also furnished additional reason 

 for the strict observance of the principles of non-interfer- 

 ence, and for redoubled watchfulness against all manner 

 of foreign aggression. With new cares and responsibilities, |j 

 these principles developed still more rapidly, and found final 

 expression in President Monroe's famous message twenty 

 years later. 



The purchase of Louisiana gave to the United States a. 

 color of title to the Spanish province of West Florida, and 

 existing conditions at home and in Spain made it likely that 

 the United States could acquire this valuable strip of coast 

 land. The title in question was perhaps less complete than 

 the determination to secure it ; for after a proclamation to 

 the effect that the United States would hold the territory 

 pending future settlement, President Madison addressed the 

 Senate, January 3, 1811, as follows : 



Taking into view the tenor of these several communications, 

 the posture of things with which they are connected, the intimate 

 relation of the country adjoining the United States eastward of 

 the river Perdido to their security and tranquillity, and the pecul- 

 iar interest they otherwise have in its destiny, I recommend to 

 the consideration of Congress the seasonableness of a declaration 

 that the United States could not see without serious inquietude 

 any part of a neighboring territory in which they have in differ- 



