Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-03
INTERESTING NARRATIVES.

our hands by friend. We read il with much
interest, -particularly the Preliminary Discourse
on the United States, Of one hundred pages, and
the account OF the eession of Louisiana to our gov
ernnent, which occupies 'the second part'' OF the
volume This account struck US as so curious
and important for national annals, that we have
caused an abstract OF IL TO be made in English, and
TO be published this morning. Barbe Marbois,
the author, was the Degoator for Napoleon, and
preserved in his mssuorandum,, whatever was
said or done on the subject. His testimony may
therefore be deemed fully authentic. The world
| is Tor the irst time directly Informed what
The deterninatiye motives of the First Consul in
granting to us the immense territory in question,
and that his price was thirty millions Of francs, or
six millions of dollars less than that which we gave
we made ON invaluable acquisition; ne parted
with that which he knew he could no, secure, and
the addition OF which to our resources he regarded
as likely TO prove both Notifying s. detrimental to
Great Britain. He considered il in fact AS so much
wrested from her, and contributed to the strength
oil her future most formidable rival. The farct is
remarked that he waited only the close of the n:.
COLLATION., TO make or declare formal rupture of
the peace of AmieDs. [yvat <;a-.
| From the Philadelphia National f;osette.
| CESSION OF LOUISIANA.
Ac count OF the origin and progress OF the cession
OF Louisinan TO the United States, distracted
from the French of Barbe Marbos' History OF
Louisiann.
The danger of rupture with Greta Britain,
caused Bonapar'e in the year 1903 to conceive
The idea OF ceding Louisiana to the u. S. for pc
funiary equivalent. IL was apparent TO him that
il would be matter of little difficulty for the En-
glish TO make themselves masters OF shat province
In case OF war, by means OF the large naval ar
mament stationed in its vicinity at Jamaica
and other western isles which he possessed
no maritime force sufficient to oppose Convinced
therefore OF the impossibility OF preserving it, il
became an object TO him OF great importance to
prevent the loss which France could not avoid,
trom being productive of any advantage to Eng
49,,
concerning the best method of resigning this ac-
QUESTION, the only one he had not accomplished
sword in hand, and the fruit of his own negotia-
lions, he deemed proper to obtain the opinion OF
two ministers, one OF whom was conversant with
Colonial administration, and who we've both ac-
quainted with the countries OF the weste IN
hemisphere.
Accordingly the 10th April, rses, Easter Sun
day, after the necessary time had been devoted to
the soiemntes OF the day, he called them into his
presence, aud addressed them with all that vehe
mepce and passion which he especially manifest
ed In political matters. IS know, !" said he, :" the
full value Of Louisiana, and have desired 20 re-
pair the fault committed by the French negoriator
who abandoned tin 1868. II has been restored 20
Inc 10 consequence Of few lines OF a treaty, hut
scarcely have recvyeretiit when It's boss again
appears inevitable. But must yield its posses
sion, it shall cost those less into whose hands
wish to resign 1t, than those who mpel Inc give
it up. The English have successfully deprived
France of Canada, Isle Royale, Newfoundland,
Acadia, and the richest portions OF Asia. Thcy
are labouring TO agiate 81. Domingo. They shall
not obtain the Mississippi which they covet.-
Louisiana is nothing in comparison to their aggran-
dizemens throughout the entire GLOBE and never
| theless the jealousy they experience ON account
Of the subjection Of that colony again to the au-
thority Of france, renders it paipab!e to me that
they desire TO obtain possession of il, and that an
attempt at its conquest will be the commence
ment of the war. They have twenty vessels in
the gull oil Mexico, and rule in those seas with
| sovereign sway, whilst affairs in St. Domingo
are every day assuming darker aspect since the
death OF Leclerc litbey will only take the Gou-
bic OF making descent upon Louisiana, its con-
quest VIII be easy. There is not moment to be
lost in placing that out Of their grasp. Tor ausht
L know they may be there This would not
be contrary TO their custom, and for me, ia their
| place, would not have delayed. wish, il time
yet remains, to deprive them of the remotest idea
OF ever possessing that colony. I am thinking
about ceding it to the United States Scarcely,
indeed, will be able TO say that cede il TO the
for II IS not yet III possession
will transmit merely empty title TO these
republicans whose friendship seek TO gain. They
ask me Tor only one city Of Louisiana, New Or
leans;) but consider the colony as already en-
tirely lost, and ii appears TO that in the hands
OF that growing power, it will be productive of
more utility TO the policy, and even to the COM
merce OF France, than il endeavouYed TO retain
it. Give me, both OF you, your opinions"
One Of the counselors IN. de Marbois) who
!
merica and administrator OF 81. Domingo, was de-
cidedly in favor Of ceding Louisiana to The United
States, but the other, who had served in the aux
Hilary army sent by France 10 the United States
during the revolution, opposed the idea.
The First Consul ended the conference without
disclosing his positive intentions, but the mex.
morning, at the dawn of day, he called NJ de
aiarbois, who had counseIled the cessioD, aud
caused him to read some dispatches which had
just arrived from London. His ambassador there
informed him that extraordinary preparationq
actively making for war, both by land and by sea
" The English" said Napoleon, " demand that
l should yield to them Iainpedosa, which does
not belong to me, at the same time that they wish
to retain Malta for the space Of ten years. This
island where military genius has expended ell its
resources III bringing the state Of the defence 10 a
degree OF perfection Uncomfortable unless witness.
cd, would be a second Gibraltar in their hands
leave them in possession OF It, would be TO rob
my southern provinces Of the commerce OF the
Levap, and deliver it TO them. They wish to pre-
serve that acquisition, and desire that Hshoud i'm
incdiaicy evscuate Holland.
" Uncertainty and de'ibera,ion are now ahoee-
Their unreasonable. ] renOunce Louisiana. It's
not only New Orleans that wish TO cede, it is
the entire colony without reserve. j am well ac-
quainted with the value Of what abandon, ami I
have sufficiently evinced the importance 1t las
in my eyes, since my first diplomatic act with
Spain had IFS recovery in view. renounce i,
therefore with lively regret, but 90 persevere in
It's retention would be the excess Of folly
charge You TO gotiate this affair with the enyoys
oil Congress. Do not wait even for the arrival OF
MIR. Monroe; open the subject this very day tn
Mr.. Livingston. But am in need Of large sums
/ OF money for the prosecution Of this war; and
would not be willing to commence il by new con
tribuons. For hundred years past, France and
| Spain have incurred heavy expenses in order 10
ameliorste the condition of Louisiana, for which
| they have never received any indemnity from IFS 1
| commerce. Money hos been lent 10 the Compa- |