The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-06-27
KANSAS WOULD BE IN THIS
Suggestion for q Louisiana Centennial at
St Louis

Chicago, June CIV. E. Curtis from
Washington writes: / suggest that an
International exposition be held IN the
city of ST. Louis in 1903 to commemorate
the purchase OF the Louisiana territory,
Or it might be postponed until March S
and 10. 1904. as the actual transfer Of up
per louisiana to the United States took
place in that city on those dates 100
years ago.
When in 1900 the United States gov
eminent learned thai Spain had made
q secret treaty reconveying 10 France
her vast territory in the Mississippi val
ley there was a general feeling of appre-
henston. Any power controlling the re-
g.on west of the colonies must be a
natural enemy 10 our government. Spain
as a comparatively weak nation was not
greatly 10 be dreaded, but France, an
old friend. would be a formidable rival
Then. again, the possession Of Canada
by England, the enemy Of France,
would in case OF war make the north
western part of the United States bat
tie ground. Probably, however, the con-
viction that the best interests OF this
government were imperiled by the pres
ence on American soil OF any foreign
power was the fundamental idea of the
American people.
Robert Livingston, who was minister
10 France, presented to the authorities
OF the French republic proposition for
the purchase of New Orleans Il was
received with so much favor that Mr..
Monroe was sent TO Paris in March, 1905
bearing instructions 10 carry out that
project If possible. The original plan
was 10 purchase only that part OF the
French possessions lying east Of the Mis-
sissippi river. but Talleyrand suggested
the cession of the whole French domain
In North America. and asked how much
would be given for IL. Mr.. Livingston
Intimated that 10000. 900 francs might be
a fair price, but Napoleon Bonaparte
said This was too low. and named 1eo. 900
francs In a very short time. however
after nego;iat tons began between Mr..
Livingston and Talleyrand, the Ameri-
can commissioners agreed 10 pay So
100000 francs for the vast territory
along and beyond the Mississippi river.
This act. although unauthorized and
dent. congress was at once summoned 20
consider the proposition, and on the 2oth
OF the following December the province
OF Louisiana was officially surrendered
20 Governor Claiborne Of Mississippi!
and General Wilkinson OF the United
States army. who were empowered 10
take charge and assume command. Il
was af;erward disclosed that the terrri
tory could have been obtained for So
o00. 900 francs had our commissioners IN
sisted upon that sum. for the instructions
Of Napoleon 10 his agents fixed that as
the lowest limit. The transfer took
place November 80 in the council cham
Der al New Orleans. where VI. LaussaI,
the pienipotentiary % the French re-
public. who twenty days oeforer had
resolved the transfer OF authority from
the Spanish government, handed Gov
ernor Claiborne the keys Of the city. and
az the same time hauled down the flag
OF France. which had fosted from the
mast on the building. The American
flag was then raised 10 It's full height ana
the transaction exchanged congratuia-
tons. The transfer OF upper Louisiana
10 the United States took place az ST
Louis March and 10. 1904.
The actual cost Of the Louisiana pur-
chase was 81, 90, 62l.sS OF which si5.-
100000 was the purchase money. S.529,-
IS represented the interes. upon tha,