The presidents message has come to hand & is a State paper of a high order of respectability. I See nothing in it however, but Such information as it was the duty of the president to communicate to Congress except the recomendation [recommendation] of appropriation for the increase of the Navy; and on which Subject I would have been equally well Satisfied had his wishes been expressed even in Stronger terms. I have been raised a Navy man. My old Father was the Steady and constant friend and Supporter of old John Adams , because, ( & for this reason only, ) what he was boldly infavour [in favor] of a Navy, and a strong military power, in times of war [added: peace] — I mean a regular force — the latter I have ever Consedered [Considered] as dangerous to republican institutions; but in a Navy it matters not how strong, Can never be dangerous to the liberties of this Republick [Republic]; and I humbly concieve [conceive] that the [unclear: west ] — the people of the Vally of [Mississippi]Messesseppi [Valley] are as much interested therein as the people of Boston or New York : — Suppose at the commencement of the last war, ( Jany [January] 1812, ) the enemy had lost a fleet of forty sail in the mouth of the Messpi. [Mississippi] and entirely bockaded [blockaded] the Same, and by being relieved, & Sustaned [Sustained] continued to do so for ten years; — Continually threatening Norleans [New Orleans] , and by this [unclear: theory ] Kept the upper Country in continual allarm [alarm], and a large standing [unclear: lace ] quartered there

winter and Summer — Will you Calculate [the the] consequences? The Key of terrors appeared in meletary [military] form, at [unclear: Durodins ] & waterloo — Hence too odiously — but let a half a dozen melitia [militia] armies perish at N. [New] Orleans with yellow fever, and where can troops be had to supply thier [their] place? Not on the upper Mississippi — aside from this consideration: a ten years blockade, would ruin the country & produce a revolt to our own Govt [Government] , unless [added: if] I am [added: not] greatly mistaken — unless Some great [unclear: anxiety ] Cause, existed to prevent it. No people on the South for an equal extent of teretory [territory] , are So delicately situated, Geographically. in times of war with an Enemy commanding a large Naval force, as those of the valley of the Mississippi . [unclear: Whos often ] been said to me by the, "Gun [unclear: Boat ]" now that no fleet Could during the summer blockade the mouth of the river — Suppose the Island of Cuba , and port of the Havana at the disposal of such enemy; with the power of employing Sailors from the west Indies ? will every man say the blockade could not be sustained ? without Naval opposition? I have so well persuaded myself that this is the most assailable point indirectly [added: in the U.S.] in terms of war with a Naval enemy, that I think us expense Should deter a western man from Garding [Guarding] against it — and there is only one Security — a Naval power Sufficently [Sufficiently] strong to beat the enemy from [added: our shores] the coast, : — And hence, I deem a gradual increase of the Navy the undoubted policy of the Western people. I pray your Sir, to take this as it is [unclear: meant a more ] scheming upon one of my hobbies — the other is the encouragement of domestick [domestic] manufacturing I had greatly rather See a direct tax , than see the country clothed from England , France , & the East Indies — and were I in congress I would

vote for an increase of tax upon fine cloths and coarse cotton fabricks [fabrics] [added: imported] Our wool is equal to the Spanish; and our cottons above the [unclear] must find a market at home, if they find any that will Justify growing them. I have some experience in the latter branch of business, and think the common saying, that the South is taxed for the benefit of the North, is mere cant — unnerving cant, for which I never have heard any good reason offered.

Last night at 12 oclok [o'clock] departed this life our friend Judge Staywood , after a fiew [few] days illness. I think he was 66 He submitted to his fate with great fortitude — [unclear: rest ] that Solemn resignation which every man should feel, when biding a dieu [bidding adieu] to this world .

we have abundant crops [unclear: here and any ] example within any day.

In the way of Genl [General] matters, we have nothing — literally nothing.

with great respect, accept my best wishes

[unclear]

[added: Gnl. Jn [General John] Cocke ]

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[added: Free]

Hon. [Honorable] John Cocke. Washington .