, Letter, , to JS, , Hancock Co., IL, 30 Apr. 1844; handwriting of; dockets in handwriting of , Jonathan Grimshaw, and unidentified scribes; seven pages; JS Collection, CHL.
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and now, would it not be our most politic course to strengthen ourselves by agriculture, extend our borders, enlarge our territory in as I have spoken, and break up the plan of settling so much within the limits of the town. If we were to get , or rather go there under the most favourable circumstances which we have any reason to hope for; There is an Army to support, and also a Navy. An executive and legislative government to support. Ministers and consuls to all nations. Would not this enormous weight of taxation keep out capitalists and sink the infant government?
Knowing that our inexperienced minds dwell first, and with far more pleasure, upon the sunny side of the picture, I have thought propper to present a little of the shade also; for if we move at all, it is “through both sun and shade”: yet whatever course you shall determine to steer, after seeing every point of the compass, I am with you, heart, hand, property, life and honor. It is, therefore, but reasonable, when one has so much at steak, to indulge an earnest desire and an ardent wish for the most judicious course to be persued; and did I conceal my thoughts and find afterwards that we had moved erroneously, I could not escape the censure of my own mind; But if my thoughts are wrong, I know your superior discernment will not only discover, but reduce them to a propper bearing [p. 4]