The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-05-22

B. Louis Dispatch, lmpetjspt 70
establish the French govsrnmsns Oncs
more in Louisiana which had just been
receded TO France, Bonaparte, the Arst
consul, offered In 1902 the position Of
governor OF this colony 70 Q distin-
euished person, whose ambition and
activity he feared-0eneral Bernadotte.
the future marshal Of the empire and.
later, king Of Sweden. This important
mission would have taken the latter out
OF Europe In an honorable way, and the
FIRST consul had great reason 70 expect
that Bernadotte would feel highly grat-
ihed BY this appointment and not hest.
tate TO accept II most readily. Berna-
dotte. however. known a. n man Of
hrm. aggressive character, and being
without fear. thought Il Wise, ere he
would accept this mission, TO provide
safe basis for his sure success.
He made the following conditions for
his departure: That ne should take 10
Louisiana, In addition to three thou
sand soldiers, the Same number OF
French s0ldiers, and that, moreover. he
should be provided With everything he
required for n prolonged absence
which, at times. for longer or shorter
period. might prevent him from COM
municatins with Paris.
Bonaparte replied TO these proposals:
u would not do a. much for one OF my
own brothers," and, instead, in Septem-
ber. 1902, appointed General Victor,
capitaine-general. or military governor,
Laussat prefet. and Ayms superior
Judge.
Being still troubled BY Bernadotte's
presence IN Paris. Bonaparte decided,
at the beginning Of 1908, TO send him to
the United States ~ minister pieni-
potentiary Of France. This was Q sort
OF exile for Bernadotte. and In order 10
sweeten It's bitterness no was told that
II was n question Of ceding . portion
Of Louisiana TO the United States and
that the negotiations for such trans
fer were entrusted to him. A. reward
for his success. personal advantages
were held out TO the general.
Bernadotte accepted this mission and
proceeded to La Rochelle, and the
frigate, which was to carry hira across
the Atlantic ocean. was about 70 weigh
anchor when he learned that Q rupture
was imminent between France and
England. Thereupon he returned TO
Paris at once without waiting for au-
thority to do 10. declaring that he
would not take charge Of any civil
function M long a. tha war lasted. He
even abstained from going 70 zee the
hrst consul, who expressed great deal
Of dissatisfaction with Berna6otte's
willful return without having asked his
permission. Some Considerable time
passed before mutual friends could re-
concile the two.
Nor did General Victor sail for New
n,l "a ~ 80 49, -
commencement Of hostilitieo between
France and England. Accordingly. only
the project, Mr.. LAueoat 81 0ail for
any formal authority - accept the
hands Of tho Spanish governog. Don
Manuel gaicedo, who, therefore. con.
tinued nominally IN ofncA LAu1oat ~
mainsd in New Orleans, virtually vitA.
out any authority, during nine months,
became French commissionsr On the
2eth Of November. took possession for
France Of Louisiana on Nov. 30, and
remained administrator "a interim for
q month. when the territory was for
maily transferred to the United States.
Thus Bcrnadotte Just missed being q
party to tho purchase, either - the last
governor of tbs French province or a.
the negotiator Of any treaty Of cession
at Washington, and that great histori-
cal transaction was contaminated on
the other side OF the ocean. Instead Of
Bernadotte signing the treaty Of ces-
sion for France this was done by Fran
coils de Barbe Marquis De Marbois, me
minister OF finance At Paris, April 30.
1908. Robert r. Livingston and James
Monroe sl~ueA fop the I1nltAA atafan