. The student's American history . y ofthe situation. He wrote to Chancellor Livingston, our ministerat Paris, saying that although we had always regarded Franceas our friend. yet we could no longer do so if she held NewOrleans. The possession of that spot, added Jefferson, makesher our natural enemy. Through New Orleans, said he, theproduce of three-eighths of our territory must pass to , placing herself in that door, assumes to us the attitudeof defiance. It was the intention of Bonaparte to establish a military des-potism at New Orleans. From that moment, said Jefferson, 248 TH
. The student's American history . y ofthe situation. He wrote to Chancellor Livingston, our ministerat Paris, saying that although we had always regarded Franceas our friend. yet we could no longer do so if she held NewOrleans. The possession of that spot, added Jefferson, makesher our natural enemy. Through New Orleans, said he, theproduce of three-eighths of our territory must pass to , placing herself in that door, assumes to us the attitudeof defiance. It was the intention of Bonaparte to establish a military des-potism at New Orleans. From that moment, said Jefferson, 248 THE STUDENT S AMERICAN HISTORY. [1803. we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation.^Much as he disliked war, he declared that, rather than abandonour claim to the free navigation of the Mississippi and see theWestern States severed from the Union, we would draw thesword on France and throw away the scabbard.*^ But the President hoped to come to an amicable under-standing with Bonaparte. Peace, said he, is our passion. ^*. The United States in I 803 after the Purchase of Louisiana, with boundary of I 8 I 9 (§ 3 I 8). (West Florida, as far eastward as the Perdido River, was claimed as part of the had divided (iSoo) the territory north of the Ohio and east of the Mississippiinto Indiana Territory and the Northwest Territory ; the Oregon Country was held jointly with Great Britain.) Monroe was despatched to Paris to join Livingston. The com-missioners were instructed to offer as high as $10,000,000 forNew Orleans and the East and West Floridas — or at any rateto secure, if possible, the permanent right of deposit (§ 267)at New Orleans. Before Monroe reached his destination,Bonaparte had resolved to renew the war with England(§ 264); and to our amazement offered to sell us not onlyNew Orleans, but the entire province of Louisiana. The com-missioners negotiated a treaty of purchase for $15,000,000. 1803-.] THE UNION, NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 249 Thus, at
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