FREE NAVIGATION. 



193 



of power and money to accomplish, their introduction to the civilized 

 world. 



*********** 

 "I. think that the energies and influence of all the friends of South 

 American internal navigation and colonization should be directed 

 towards forming a company with a large capital, and to obtain the aid 

 and support of the Congress of the United States. I know how difficult 

 an undertaking it is to wring an appropriation out of our national 

 legislature, for any purpose ; but if the subject could be fairly brought 

 before it, and some of the leading senators and representatives could be 

 excited to take a patriotic interest in it, perhaps something might be 

 done. 



"We must, on our side, do all we can, and by dint of perseverance 

 we may succeed at last in accomplishing our object. Should we do so, 

 it will be a proud satisfaction to ourselves ; though the public may, and 

 probably will, leave us to exclaim — 



" 'Hos ego versiculos feci, tulit alter honores ! ' 



" I shall continue working on and writing to you whenever I have 

 anything of the least interest to communicate." 



The greatest boon in the wide world of commerce is in the free navi- 

 gation of the Amazon, its confluents and neighboring streams. The 

 back-bone of South America is in sight of the Pacific. The slopes of 

 the continent look east ; they are drained into the Atlantic, and their 

 rich productions, in vast variety and profusion, may be emptied into the 

 commercial lap of that ocean by the most majestic of water-courses. 



The time will come when the free navigation of the Amazon and 

 other South American rivers will be regarded by the people of this 

 country as second only in importance to the acquisition of Louisiana. 



Having traversed that water- shed from its highest ridge to its very 

 caves and gutters, I find my thoughts and reflections overwhelmed with 

 the immensity of this field for enterprise, commercial prosperity, and 

 human happiness. 



I can bear witness to the truth of the sentiment expressed by my 

 friend, Mr. Maury, that the Valley of the Amazon and the Valley of the 

 Mississippi are commercial compliments of each other — one supplying 

 what the other lacks in the great commercial round. They are sisters 

 which should not be separated. Had I the honor to be mustered among 

 the statesmen of my country, I would risk political fame and life in the 

 attempt to have the commerce of this noble river thrown open to the 

 world. 



13 



