Enemy Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans, through which the produce of three-eighths of our territory must pass to market, and from its fertility it will ere long yield more than half of our whole produce and contain more than half our inhabitants.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to John Adams, 1791
New Orleans is seen as a strategic economic hub whose control could dominate the nation’s trade and population.
In simple terms: New Orleans is a crucial economic gateway.
Consider strategic importance of geographic trade points.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban planning
- economic development
- national security
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the modern implications of historic trade dominance?
- How does geography affect power?
The quote reflects early American expansionist mindset, overlooking indigenous peoples.