Only for those who speak English Louisiana “The Luisiana Purchase”

By Rafael Roque E.

As I commented on the last edition of this paper, the United States doubled its size with the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. But why did Napoleon sell that vast Territory? Well, maybe you know that Napoleon needed a naval base in order to defend his new lands in America. In 1801 he attacked the island of Santo Domingo that, at that time, was a French colony, but Toussaint Louverture’s revolt had weakened French power on this island.

President Jefferson was greatly concerned over these developments. In a letter to Robert R. Livingston, the American minister to France, he pointed out that three eighths of the “nation annual product” has to pass through New Orleans. Jefferson saw one possible solution. He instructed Livingston to try to buy New Orleans and West Florida from Napoleon. In Paris, Livingston offered Talleyrand the amount of $2,000.000 for the port, but Talleyrand showed no interest.

In 1803, Jefferson’s worst fears came true. Spain took the “right of deposit” at New Orleans away from American citizens. Many of the region settlers prepared to go to New Orleans to fight. Alexander Hamilton wanted to take New Orleans by force. The settlers turned to him to help, putting Jefferson in a difficult situation. He wanted to keep peace, but he knew the importance of New Orleans to westerners and the entire National Economy.

After several talks with Talleyrand, this man changed his position about the offer, so one day he asked “what will you give us for the whole Territory?” Livingston offered $4,000.000. That amount did not satisfy Talleyrand, but Livingston was not authorized to buy the whole Territory. A few days later, Monroe, Jefferson assistant, arrived in Paris with the authority to offer as much as $10,000.000 for New Orleans and West Florida, but Napoleon wanted $15,000.000. Livingston and Monroe decided to trust their government to support them. They signed an agreement with Barbe-Marlois, Napoleon’s Minister of the treasury on May 2, 1803. On May 18, war broke out between England and France. Four days later, Napoleon signed the agreement. But why did he do it? Maybe because his plan of conquering the New World had not gone well. His French soldiers had won an important battle and captured Toussaint, the Negro Leader. However, the Haitians continued to attack the French, and the yellow fever destroyed Napoleon’s army. In January of 1803, Napoleon received the news that General Leclerc was dead in Santo Domingo. He also knew that there were 20 British Warships in the Gulf of Mexico. Those ships were ready to capture New Orleans, and he also knew that he could not defend Louisiana without strong support from Santo Domingo.

These and other reasons made the United States acquired the vast Territory that today is undergoing serious problems because Mother Nature has decided to charge a higher price of that $15,000.000. But now I must finish my comments with the hope that you had learned much about this theme. See you next time…