orbed in the cares of self…defense even to attempt any amelioration of their condition。 Such； however； will not always be the case。 Europe has succeeded by her own efforts in piercing the gloom of the Middle Ages； South America has the same Christian laws and Christian manners as we have； she contains all the germs of civilization which have grown amidst the nations of Europe or their offsets； added to the advantages to be derived from our example： why then should she always remain uncivilized？ It is clear that the question is simply one of time； at some future period； which may be more or less remote； the inhabitants of South America will constitute flourishing and enlightened nations。
But when the Spaniards and Portuguese of South America begin to feel the wants common to all civilized nations； they will still be unable to satisfy those wants for themselves； as the youngest children of civilization； they must perforce admit the superiority of their elder brethren。 They will be agriculturists long before they succeed in manufactures or commerce； and they will require the mediation of strangers to exchange their produce beyond seas for those articles for which a demand will begin to be felt。
It is unquestionable that the Americans of the North will one day supply the wants of the Americans of the South。 Nature has placed them in contiguity； and has furnished the former with every means of knowing and appreciating those demands； of establishing a permanent connection with those States； and of gradually filling their markets。 The merchants of the United States could only forfeit these natural advantages if he were very inferior to the merchant of Europe； to whom he is； on the contrary； superior in several respects。 The Americans of the United States already exercise a very considerable moral influence upon all the peoples of the New World。 They are the source of intelligence； and all the nations which inhabit the same continent are already accustomed to consider them as the most enlightened； the most powerful； and the most wealthy members of the great American family。 All eyes are therefore turned towards the Union； and the States of which that body is composed are the models which the other communities try to imitate to the best of their power； it is from the United States that they borrow their political principles and their laws。
The Americans of the United States stand in precisely the same position with regard to the peoples of South America as their fathers； the English； occupy with regard to the Italians； the Spaniards； the Portuguese； and all those nations of Europe which receive their articles of daily consumption from England； because they are less advanced in civilization and trade。 England is at this time the natural emporium of almost all the nations which are within its reach； the American Union will perform the same part in the other hemisphere； and every community which is founded； or which prospers in the New World； is founded and prospers to the advantage of the Anglo…Americans。
If the Union were to be dissolved； the commerce of the States which now compose it would undoubtedly be checked for a time； but this consequence would be less perceptible than is generally supposed。 It is evident that； whatever may happen； the commercial States will remain united。 They are all contiguous to each other； they have identically the same opinions； interests； and manners； and they are alone competent to form a very great maritime power。 Even if the South of the Union were to become independent of the North； it would still require the services of those States。 I have already observed that the South is not a commercial country； and nothing intimates that it is likely to become so。 The Americans of the South of the United States will therefore be obliged； for a long time to come； to have recourse to strangers to export their produce； and to supply them with the commodities which are requisite to satisfy their wants。 But the Northern States are undoubtedly able to act as their intermediate agents cheaper than any other merchants。 They will therefore retain that employment； for cheapness is the sovereign law of commerce。 National claims and national prejudices cannot resist the influence of cheapness。 Nothing can be more virulent than the hatred which exists between the Americans of the United States and the English。 But notwithstanding these inimical feelings； the Americans derive the greater part of their manufactured commodities from England； because England supplies them at a cheaper rate than any other nation。 Thus the increasing prosperity of America turns； notwithstanding the grudges of the Americans； to the advantage of British manufactures。
Reason shows and experience proves that no commercial prosperity can be durable if it cannot be united； in case of need； to naval force。 This truth is as well understood in the United States as it can be anywhere else： the Americans are already able to make their flag respected； in a few years they will be able to make it feared。 I am convinced that the dismemberment of the Union would not have the effect of diminishing the naval power of the Americans； but that it would powerfully contribute to increase it。 At the present time the commercial States are connected with others which have not the same interests； and which frequently yield an unwilling consent to the increase of a maritime power by which they are only indirectly benefited。 If； on the contrary； the commercial States of the Union formed one independent nation； commerce would become the foremost of their national interests； they would consequently be willing to make very great sacrifices to protect their shipping； and nothing would prevent them from pursuing their designs upon this point。
Nations； as well as men； almost always betray the most prominent features of their future destiny in their earliest years。 When I contemplate the ardor with which the Anglo…Americans prosecute commercial enterprise； the advantages which befriend them； and the success of their undertakings； I cannot refrain from believing that they will one day become the first maritime power of the globe。 They are born to rule the seas； as the Romans were to conquer the world。
Conclusion
I have now nearly reached the close of my inquiry； hitherto； in speaking of the future destiny of the United States； I have endeavored to divide my subject into distinct portions； in order to study each of them with more attention。 My present object is to embrace the whole from one single point； the remarks I shall make will be less detailed； but they will be more sure。 I shall perceive each object less distinctly； but I shall descry the principal facts with more certainty。 A traveller who has just left the walls of an immense city； climbs the neighboring hill； as he goes father off he loses sight of the men whom he has so recently quitted； their dwellings are confused in a dense mass； he can no longer distinguish the public squares； and he can scarcely trace out the great thoroughfares； but his eye has less difficulty in following the boundaries of the city； and for the first time he sees the shape of the vast whole。 Such is the future destiny of the British race in North America to my eye； the details of the stupendous picture are overhung with shade； but I conceive a clear idea of the entire subject。
The territory now occupied or possessed by the United States of America forms about one…twentieth part of the habitable earth。 But extensive as these confines are； it must not be supposed that the Anglo…American race will always remain within them； indeed； it has already far overstepped them。
There was once a time at which we also might have created a great French nation in the American wilds； to counterbalance the influence of the English upon the destinies of the New World。 France formerly possessed a territory in North America； scarcely less extensive than the whole of Europe。 The three greatest rivers of that continent then flowed within her dominions。 The Indian tribes which dwelt between the mouth of the St。 Lawrence and the delta of the Mississippi were unaccustomed to any other tongue but ours； and all the European settlements scattered over that immense region recalled the traditions of our country。 Louisbourg； Montmorency； Duquesne； St。 Louis； Vincennes； New Orleans （for such were the names they bore） are words dear to France and familiar to our ears。
But a concourse of circumstances； which it would be tedious to enumerate； *m have deprived us of this magnificent inheritance。 Wherever the French settlers were numerically weak and partially established； they have disappeared： those who remain are collected on a small extent of country； and are now subject to other laws。 The 400；000 French inhabitants of Lower Canada constitute； at the present time； the remnant of an old nation lost in the midst of a new people。 A foreign population is increasing around them unceasingly and on all sides； which already penetrates amongst the ancient masters of the country； predominates in their cities and corrupts their language。 This population is identical with that of the United States； it is therefore with truth that I asserted