Thomas Jefferson
• author of the Declaration of Independence
• 3rd president of the United States
• The Louisiana Purchase was the most important event of his presidency
1. When Spain owned Louisiana it posed no threat to the young U.S.
2. In 1800 Spain gave the La. Territory to France.
2. Jefferson worried Napoleon might attack from the Louisiana Territory
Safety
Commerce1. Farmers up and down the
Mississippi used the River to ship products and food
2. Spain allowed the river traffic but would France?
President Thomas Jefferson appointed him American Minister to France in 1801.
Jefferson told Livingston to offer Napoleon $2 million for a New Orleans.
•On April 11, 1803, the France's offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory for fifteen million dollars--the "most important real estate deal in history".
Robert Livingston
James MonroeJefferson, sent Monroe to
Paris to help Livingston.
Monroe was told to offer $10 Million Francs for N.O. and West Florida
Jefferson added: "All eyes, all hopes, are now fixed on you . for on the event of this mission depends the future destinies of this republic."
Francois Barbé-Marbois• First Minister of the
Treasury in 1801 of France
• Encouraged Napoleon to sell Louisiana to pay for his war on the British.
• He negotiated and implemented the sale of the Louisiana Territory to the Americans for fifteen million dollars- sixty million francs –
William C.C. Claiborne – 1st Gov.
Thomas Jefferson selected William Charles Cole Claiborne, former governor of the Mississippi territory and highest-ranking civilian official in the vicinity, to govern lower Louisiana.
Louisiana Territory
•600 million acres
•cost of less than 3 cents an acre
• 13 states between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.