Jefferson's Plan
Jefferson learned that by the secret treaty of San lldefonso Spain gave up the large territory of Louisiana to France, France had lost this land in 1763 and was getting it back. Jefferson knew that he needed a way to purchase the Louisiana Province from the French. It wasn’t going to be easy but the French were posing a big threat to the United States. The Spanish who used to own the Louisiana Province were a very weak power that the United States already had control over. The United States figured once they expanded that far westward the land would easily be theirs but things changed when the French grabbed a hold of the land. Jefferson needed a plan but he needed one that was very quiet and subtle.
French Leader Napoleons plan was that the Florida’s and Louisiana Province would provide enough economic and strategic support for the necessary overseas empire. This Empire would be centered on St. Domingue which was the richest of all the French colonies in the Americas which was controlled by rebel blacks.
The President kept quiet and figured out a strategy to getting the Louisiana Province and that was one as simple as “Delay and Maneuver”. Jefferson already had a lead because of the Pinckney Treaty of 1795. The Pinckney Treaty allowed the Americas free access to and through the river which went into and through Spanish territory (now French territory). This treaty was very important to Westward expansion because it majorly helped the United States Purchase the Louisiana Province and expand westward. The treaty also allowed the privilege of deposit and reshipment of goods to and from New Orleans.
Jefferson wanted the Spanish to come in power with New Orleans because of the Treaty. This is because the Americans west would be granted because of the treaty the same commercial rights as they would if the land was still owned by the Spanish.
A statement was giving as a warning to France and Napoleon. The statement by Jefferson warned Napoleon
While Jefferson was giving bold statement and warnings such as these James Madison was quietly and secretly trying to purchase the Florida’s and New Orleans. Jefferson was still on the part of his plan called delaying. He needs time and all his tactics were delaying Napoleons master plan. Then something major hit the war deck. The intendant at New Orleans port closed the port to the Americas. Jefferson was furious thinking this was done under French order. But it turns out it was the intendants choice not the French or Spanish. Americans living in the West were furious because they depended on the port. They screamed War against France and Spain. Jefferson was in big trouble and had a choice to make. He decided to go along with the plan but he needed help from his friend in the west, James Monroe. James Monroe was sent to France to bargain for New Orleans and the Floridas. Jefferson told Monroe to offer between two and ten million dollars.
Napoleon too was dug deep in a hole. He didn’t wanted to also create and empire East in Egypt, Levant and India. But he couldn’t have the Americans wanting war with them while they were starting two Empires. The Americas was such a big threat and he couldn’t keep hold of the Louisiana territory and have troops marching east to create and army. France would be divided and shredded to pieces. He decided to settle on money which he needed to build his Empire in the East and to fight Wars with other European powers. He let go of the idea of the Louisiana province. Instead of just giving James Monroe the two - ten million dollars for New Orleans and the Floridas he gave them that land and the Louisiana Province land.
In Paris in April of 1803, James Monroe with the approval of Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Purchase for a grant of 15 million dollars. This purchase doubled the size of the United States adding 14 states to the growing World Power. The US was very close to achieving the believe of the Manifest Destiny which was spreading the Americas and its culture from coast to coast. There was only one problem, the United States of America was on the brink of Civil War.