Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-12-04
THE PURCHASE OF AN EMPIRE.
How the United States Secured Pos
session of the Great West.

How the United States Secured Pos
session of the Great West.
Spain has been concerned in several
difficulties with the United States in
years past and gone. The latest was
about Cuba, as we know.
Spain forced continual disputes with
the United States concerning the boun-
dary line of the United States and the
right of navigating the Mississippi riv-
er before 1900.
BY a treaty with Spain in 1875 that
country granted to the United States
the privilege Of making deposits at New
Orleans for three years, after which II
was agreed that the privilege should
be continued there or at some equiva-
lent place on the Mississippi river.
But Spain, with its usual methods
made a secret treaty with France in
1902, ceding to France the territory
known as Louisiana, west of the Mis-
sissippi river.
In October, 1902, the Spanish intend
ant declared by proclamation that the
right of deposits at New Orleans no
longer existed.
In the cession of this territory it "was
to be delivered up in its present state"
to the French.
All people in this country became
greatly alarmed, because there was
constant apprehension Of war between
Spain and the United States.
The United States minister at Paris
was informed of these troubles as soon
as the vessel could carry letter from
President Jefferson to Minister Living
ston.
In December, 1902, President Jefferson
communicated with congress in regard
to Spain's treaty with France.
warlike speeches were made in con-
gress and a resolution was introduced
telling the president to call out the
military forces of the nation to hold
this territory and the right to navigate
the Mississippi.
After a year of discussion. unrest and
political strategy, James Monroe, after
wards president, was sent over to
France to cooperate with Mr.. Livings-
ton in a proposal to buy New Orleans
and what was known as Florida.
At the request Of President Jefferson
congress appropriated s2.0OOO0O for the
objects Of the mission.
1t was supposed that Florida had also
been ceded by Spain to France, so Mes
Sis. Monroe and Livingston were di-
rected to offer liberal sum for New
Orleans and Florida as purchase mon
ey.
Mr.. Livingston, the minister at Par
is, had informed President Jefferson
that the United States had meagre
chances for getting New Orleans by
treaty, and advised that it should be
taken by force.
But great and brilliant comet in the
political world had appeared above the
horizon. Napoleon Bonaparte had be-
come first consul in France. Fortu-
nately, his eyes were set on Europe, not
America. He was preparing for the
great conquests that his fertile imag-
ination pictured before his ambition,
and he wanted money! He called Mar
quis de Marbois to his private office
and told him to go out and meet the
American ministers and propose to sell
all the territory France claimed or
owned west Of the Mississippi.
Messrs. Livingston and Monroe were
sent out to angle for a little fish, so
to speak. and 10! there line was tangled
up with a monster whale. They went
at the purchase business with two mill
lions of money and Napoleon staggered
them with IL proposal that meant near
ly seven times as much money and ten
times as much land.
The first cOnsuls speech to Marquis
de Marbois should now be familiar TO
every school boy and girl in Georgia.
since the great St. Louis exposition is
to commemorate this famous Louisi-
ana purchase from Napoleon Bona
parte.