The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-01-17

pointed the Marquis de Msrbois to ne
gotiate with the American ministers.
His instructions to the Marquis were
Characteristic ofthe man, and were in
these words:
" Irresolution and deliberation are
no longer In season. Irenounce Lou
isiana. 1t is not only New Orleans
that / will cede; it is the whole coun-.
try, without any reservation. ] know
the value of what / abandon, and ]
have sufficiently proved the impor-
tance that l attach to the province sinees
my first diplomatic act with Spain had
for its object the recovery of it. Ire
nounce it with the greatest regret
To attempt to retain it would be folly.
direct you to negotiate this affair
with the ENJOYS of the United States.
Do not even await the arrival of Mr..
Monroe have an interview with Mr..
Livingston this very day. I require
great deal of money for this war,
and | would not like to commence
with new contributions. If should
regulate my terms according to the val
ue of these vast regions to the United
States, the indemnity would have no
limits. / will be moderate, in con-
sideration of the necessity in which
am of making sale. But keep this
to yourself. / want fifty millions
francs, and for less than that sum I
will not treat !; | would rather make
desperate attempt to keep those fine
countries. Tomorrow you shall have
full powers. Mr.. Monroe is on the
point of arriving. To this minister
the President must have given secret
instructions, more extensive than the
ostensible authorization of Congress,
for the stipulation Of the payments to
be made. Neither this minister or his
colleague is prepared for decision
which goes infinitely beyond any thing
they are about to ask of us. Begin by.
making them the overture, without
any subterfuge. You will acquaint
me day by day, hour by hour, with
your progress. The cabinet of Lon
don is informed of the measures
adopted at Washington; but it can
have no suspicion of those which I
am now taking. Observe the greatest
secrecy, and recommend it to the
American ministers they have not
less interest than yourself in conform
ing to this counsel. You will CORES
pond with III. de Tallyrand, who alone
knows my intention"
Mr.. Monroe arrived in Paris, April
18th. 1903. The powers of which he
was bearer, were common to himself
and Mr.. Livingston. They were
overwhelmed with astonishment at
the vastness of Bonaparte's PROPOSE
ton. Instead of the cession of town,
and its inconsiderable territory, vast
portion of the American continent was
offered to them; territory equally as
large as that claimed by the United
States. MIR. Monroe came to ask for
the mere right Of navigating the Mis-
sissippi river, and now was offered a
complete sovereignty over the largest
rivers in the world. The United States
would pass over an interior frontier,
to carry their limits to the great Pacific
Ocean.
The full powers of the American
plenipotentiaries extended only to an
arrangement respecting the left bank
of the Mississippi river, including New
Orleans. 1t was impossible for them
to consult the home government. The
necessity for acting was present, and
the least delay would ruin the oppor-
tunity. The French had not time even
to send to the Court of Madrid, as they
were bound to do, by the treaty of Oc-
tober lst. 1900. The Spanish ministry
were not, therefore, Informed, till af.
ter the business was completed. They
complained bitterly of this, and for
nearly year it was impossible to
obtain from that Court recognition
of the treaty.
The American ministers, after some
delibcration, concluded to take upon
themselves the responsibility of ac-
cepting Bonaparte's offer, and negoti-
ating for the whole Territory. know
ing that they would be sustained by
the home government, and by the peo-
pie of the United States.
Theprice agreed upon, was eighty
millions of francs. Sixty millions
we're negotiated for. and paid imme-
diately. The remaining twenty mil
lions were to pay those Americans |
who had claims on France, arising
from acquisitions, seizures and cap
lures of ships made in times of peace.
The treaty was concluded on the |
3oth Of April. 1903. and was drawn |
up in French and English, and signed
by the three ministers. four days after
wards.
On the 22d of May. 1908, Bona-
psrte gave his ratifestion to the treaty |
Of cession Of Louisiana, without wait !
ing for the ratification of the United
Suites. This haste vas considered |
necessary. in order 70 stop any at
tempts which Great Britain might |
contemplate against Il as a French
Colony.
The treaty Was received IN thal
United States. in July. and wss rati-
Ss1 {sx- fI.n Senate ~ tf.z 7f14l ~ 0r-zf