Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-08-25
GROWTH OF THE UNITED STATES.
How the Greater Part Of This Country Was
Acquired and What II Cost.

When Independence was established, the
| bounds Of the new country were extremely
| Indefinite The limits of the - states were
known with reasonable exactness, though
there were at the outset disputes both be-
| tween the states aud between the United
| States AMI the European. governments
| whose possessions lay alongside ours. The
| first great acquisition of territory was that
OF Louisiana, which Spain had coded to
France. and which the Emperor Napoleon
| sold 10 the tuited States for sl5. 0D0, 600 III
| 1888. when Mr. Jefferson was president.
Mr. jefferson did not believe that the con
stitution permitted the United States to
annex foreign territory and wished that
AN amendment should be adopted to sane
ton it, but the amendment failed after the
annexation had been accom- iished, and
Mr.. jefferson stifled his scruples.
Louisiana. As acquired from France, in
cluded the territory bounded on the east by
the Mississippi river from its mouth to its
source, on the north by the line Of the Brit
ish possessions, on the west by the Pacific
ocean to the south line Of Oregon. The
other boundary follows the north line Of
California, Nevada and Utah as far east AS
the Rocky mountains and thence in a gen
eral southeast wardly direction so as to in
clude part of Colorado and most Of Kansas
and the Indian Territory and all OF Arkan-
sas and Louisiana to the gulf of Mexico.
Florida was for many years the object Of
covetousness on the partSf onr government,
which claimed now q part and now the
whole as included in the Louisiana pur-
chase. The United States finally obtained
it from Spain in 1919, when Mr.. Monroe
was president. What was known as West
Florida-including the part OF Alabama in
which Mobile is situated-had already been
seized and held forcbly. Texas, originally
part Of Mexico, set itself up as an indie
pendent republic in 1896. Its population
consisted largely of bold and somewhat
reckless adventures from the southern
states. In one year Texas had established
independence after sharp war with Mexi-
co and a few months afterward applied for
union with this country.
The question remained open until, having
agitated American politics for many years
and having cost Mr.. Van Buren, the Demo
cratic nomination for president in 1874, it
was finally settled in 1S45 Texas was an
nexed and admitted as state Of the Union
by joint resolution approved by President
Polk California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona,
New Mexico and the western part Of Col
tifttp "Nit NNIibfN " tpihtht-h' lucy
were ceded to the United States at the close
of the Mexican war, during Folks admins
tration in 1sls Nevertheless nearly So
90, 600 was paid to Mexico in settlement Of
certain claims ms the price Of the territory.
Excepting West Florida, already referred
to, this is the only territory gained by the
sword. A strip of land in southern Arizona
was not in the Mexican cession but was
bought in 1853, Pierce being president at the
time. for 100000. Thus the country be
came possessed of all its present territory
between Canada on the north and Mexico
% the south. Alaska was purchased of
russia during Mr. Johnson's presidency in
1867. and the sum of 81 10000 was paid for
it. Its total area is almost the same As that
of all the territory obtained of Mexico by
conquest AMI purchase. Cincinnati Com
mercial Gazette.