It takes a month to go from Washington to New Orleans.

Rome couldn't keep her countries that were far away, and Rome believed in armies and navies and proper taxation, and had no pernicious notions--begging your pardon again, Mr.Rand--about free trade and the abolishment of slavery! I tell you, this new country of ours will breed or import a leader--and then she'll revolt and make him dictator--and then we'll have an empire for neighbour, an empire without any queasy ideas as to majorities and natural rights! And Thomas Jefferson--begging your pardon, Mr.Rand--is acute enough to see the danger.

He's not bothering about majorities and natural rights either--for the country west of the Ohio! He's preparing to govern the Mississippi Territory like a conquered province.

Mark my words, Mr.Rand, she'll find a Buonaparte--some young demagogue, some ambitious upstart without scruple or a hostage to fortune some common soldier like Buonaparte or favourite like--like--" "Like--" queried Rand.

But the Colonel, who had suddenly grown very red, would not or could not continue his comparison.