The Kentuckians and Tennesseans knew only the pack train, the wagon train, the river craft and the deep-sea ship; that is, they knew only such means of carrying on commerce as were known to Greek and Carthaginian, Roman and Persian, and the nations of medieval Europe.

Beasts of draught and of burden, and oars and sails,--these, and these only,--were at the service of their merchants, as they had been at the service of all merchants from time immemorial.

Where trade was thus limited the advantages conferred by water carriage, compared to land carriage, were incalculable.

The Westerners were right in regarding as indispensable the free navigation of the Mississippi.

They were right also in their determination ultimately to acquire the control of the whole river, from the source to the mouth.
Desire to Seize the Spanish Lands.
However, the Westerners wished more than the privilege of sending down stream the products of their woods and pastures and tilled farms.