Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-13
THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
A Suggestion for Il Memorial EXPOSE
ton at st. Louis.

From the Chicago Record
l suggest that an international exposition
be held in the city of ST. Louis in 1903 to
commemorate the purchase of the Louisi-
ana territory, or it might be postponed I'M
Ill March and 10, 1904, as the actual
transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United
States took place in that city ON those
dates 100 years ago.
When in 1900 the United States govern
ment learned that Spain had made secret
treaty reconveying to France her vast ter
ritory in the Mississippi valley there was a
general feeling of apprehension. Any pow
er controlling the region west of the colo
mics must be natural enemy to our gov
eminent. Spain comparatively weak
nation was not greatly to be dreaded, but
France, an old friend, would be a formid-
able 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 battle
ground. Probably, however, the convic-
ton that the best interests of this govern
ment were imperiled by the presence on
American soil of any foreign power was
the fundamental idea of the American peo-
pie.
Robert Livingst ton, who was minister to
France, presented to the authorities of the
French republic proposition for the pur-
chase Of New Orleans 1t was Received with
SO much favor that Mr.. Monroe was sent TO
Paris in March, 1903; bearing instructions
to carry out that project if possible The
original plan was to purchase only that
part of the French possessions lying east
of the Mississippi river, but Talleyrand
suggested the ceSSon Of the whole French
domain in North America and asked how
much would be given for it. Mr.. Living
ston minated that 2o,GUo,0G0 francs might
be fair price, but NAPOLEON Bonapare
said this was too low, and named 12I,0VD.
600 francs. In very short time however.
began
ingston ana Talleyrand the American conf
mlSsioners agreed to pay S0,0OOOOo francs
Tor the vast territory along and beyond the
Mississippi river.
This act, although unauthorized and I'M
expected, was agreed to by the President.
Congress was at once summoned TO con-
slider the proposition, and en- the 20th OF
the following December the province OF
Louisiana was officially surrendered to
Governor Claiborne OF Mississippi and Gen.
Wilkinson Of the United States army who
were empow cred to take charge and as
sumo command. 1t was afterward dis
closed that the territory could have been
obtained for 50,Oo0,ooG francs had our COM
missioncrs insisted upon the sum, for the
instructions of Napoleon to his agents fixed
that as the lowest limit. The transfer took
place November 30 in the council chamber
at New Orleans, where NJ Laussat the
plenipotentiary of the French republic who,
twenty days before, had received the trans
fer Of authority from the Spanish govern
ment handed Governor Claiborne the keys
of the city, and at the same time hauled
down the flag of France, which had tioated
from the mast the building. The Amer
lean flag was then raised to its full height,
and the agents of the two governments in
the transaction exchanged congratulations
The transfer of Upper Louisiana to the
United States took place a. st. Louis March
and 10, 1904.
The actual cost of the Louisiana purchase
was $21,26I ,621.9S, of which $4,000, 900 was
the purchase money $S,529,353 represented
the interest upon that amount to the re-
demption of the bonds that We're issued to
cover it, and $33IS. 2GS..iS the French spoiia-
ton claims, which were paid by the United
States under the treaty.
For this money 1,1S2, 100 square miles Of
territory were obtained.