Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-25

on the oth (four days before Mr. ainnros
arrived there) his determination to sell the
country to US. The next day the minis
ter called upon Mr.. l.. for specific pro-
position. The day after (,he business be-
ing put into MIR. Marbois's hands, the nil
mister alarmed Mr.. l.. By pretending that
he had no particular authority to speak to
him on the subject, but again called on
him TO say what he would give. When
our minister heard Of Mr.. Monroe's land.
ing at Havre, he refused to aet Till his COL
league arrived but asked why they wish
ed him 10 propose for the whole of Lott
isiana, when he had only asked the east
side Of the river, & portion Of the west
The minister told him that he had asked
all that was worth having, and therefore
must take the whole to which Mr.. l. said
he had no objection, but would now wait
till Mr.. Monroe cameup. On the morn
ing of the 18th Mr.. Monroe arrived. On
the evening of ,he 18th MIR. Marbois call
ed on Mr.. l.. and was surprised 10 see
Mr.. Monroe, not having, as he said, heard
of his arrival. but after short visit, ne
begged that he would come to the trea-
sury that evening at eleven. Mr.. L. went
accordingly, when they formally discuss
ed the whole business of the cession,
which Mr.. L. told him hewould commu-
nicate 10 Mr.. Monroe, and he promised
to get full powers; they we're together till
past two. The next day he presented Mr..
Monroe TO the minister, who received
him politely, but said pothing of business.
he great point having been got over (the
difficulty of bringing the consul to sell)
their subsequent discussion related only
to the price and matters of form so that
If MIR. Monroe had not been taken i'll and
confined to his bed for ten or Twelve DAYS.
having been taken the fourth day after his
arrival, they would have agreed probably
before the goth of April. MIR. l.. had to
encounter great difficulties in this negoci-
alton. lie had alternate hopes and fears,
even after they had determinedt 10 sell and
had called upon him for proposition
and even after the arrival Of MIR. Monroe
at Havre there was moment in which he
might have doubted NJ, TaIleyrand's sim
Certify, particularly when un the 10th he
told him that his proposition was unau-
thorised. MIR. l.. wished at that instant
that MIR. Monroe had brought with him
an assurance that New Orleans was in our
possession. This would not have injured
US; but, as things have turned out, it is
better that we did not seize it.-rhere,
was perfect accordance of sentiments
between MIR. Monroo and MIR. l.. in every
measure that regared the treaty, and i'm
steps that had been taken to pave the way
tor ITS execution previous to his arrival.
Ater that event nothing was leftbut some
commercial arrangements, and the price :;
in which they met with much candor ON
the part of Mr.. Marbois.
This treaty was considered at Paris az
most important acquisition, and procur-
ed MIR. l.. the congratulations Of all the
corps diplomatique, who knew the diff
cu'tics he had to encounter on his arrival,
and who were warmly and vainly soliciting
the payment of their claims, while we had
got ours SO happily provided for.
Tho The British have taken some me-
rlt Tor the treaty, they have not the least
claim TO it. Lord Whitworth declared. a
lew days before helefi Paris, that Louisiana
had never been an Object of discussion be-
tween him and the French government.
ihIs appears by the papers laid before
parliament; and lord Rawkesbury. in an
nouncing the treaty declared he had no
knowledge of 1t ill it was communicated
officially by Mr.. King, who himself knew
nothing nj n iii r~o.t..1.-,