American's transcend decline

[Terrance]

Oh Immensity! Oh  Prairie! Oh fathomless Sea!



Our people are decided in the opinion, that it is
necessary for us to take a share in the occupation of
the ocean, and their established habits induce them to
require that the sea be kept open to them, and that that
line of policy be pursued, which will render the use of
that element to them as great as possible. I think it a
duty in those entrusted with the administration of their
affairs, to conform themselves to the decided choice of
their constituents; and that therefore, we should, in
every instance, preserve an equality of right to them in
the transportation of commodities, in the right of
fishing, and in the other uses of the sea. 

But what will be the consequence? Frequent wars without a doubt. 


John Jay  23 Aug 1785 
Excerpts from the Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson