The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
COMMERCE / FUR TRADE
I learn with great satisfaction the disposition of our merchants to
form into companies for undertaking the Indian trade within our own
territories. I have been taught to believe it an advantageous one for
the individual adventurers, and I consider it as highly desirable to
have that trade centered in the hands of our own citizens. The field
is immense, and would occupy a vast extent of capital by different
companies engaging in different districts. All beyond the Mississippi
is ours exclusively, and it will be in our power to give our own
traders great advantages over their foreign competitors on this side
the Mississippi. You may be assured that in order to get the whole of
this business passed into the hands of our own citizens, and to oust
foreign traders, who so much abuse their privilege by endeavoring to
excite the Indians to war on us, every reasonable patronage and
facility in the power of the Executive will be afforded.
John Jacob Astor, 13 April 1808
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