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As a result of the Spanish administrative official in New Orleans rescinding the right of deposit, leaving frontier settlers without access to markets for their produce, Thomas Jefferson begins his campaign to learn if the French might be willing to consider selling New Orleans (and, eventually, all of the Louisiana territory), working toward appropriating funds for the purchase. A timeline of significant dates and activities in the 2nd session of the 7th Congress is included below.
Thomas Jefferson presents his second annual message to Congress, which states that "The cession of the Spanish province of Louisiana to France, which took place in the course of the late war, will, if carried into effect, make a change in the aspect of our foreign relations, which will doubtless have just weight in any deliberations of the legislature connected with that subject."
The House of Representatives passes a resolution "That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House, such papers as are in the possession of the Department of State, as relate to the violation, on the part of Spain, of the Treaty of Friendship, Limits, and Navigation, between the United States of America and the King of Spain."
Thomas Jefferson sends a confidential message to the House of Representatives in response to "a violation, on the part of Spain, of the twenty-second article of the Treaty of Friendship, Limits, and Navigation, between the United States and the King of Spain."
The House of Representatives debates Spain's cession of Louisiana to France.
The House of Representatives continues to debate Spain's cession of Louisiana to France.
The House of Representatives debates the navigation of the Mississippi.
The House of Representatives continues to debate Spain's cession of Louisiana to France.
The House of Representatives debates and passes a resolution on the navigation of the Mississippi.
The Senate receives a message from Thomas Jefferson nominating "Robert Livingston to be Minister Plenipotentiary, and James Monroe to be Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary...to enter into a treaty or convention with the First Consul of France, for the purpose of enlarging, and more effectually securing, our rights and interests in the river Mississippi, and in the territories eastward thereof."
The House of Representatives continues to debate Spain's cession of Louisiana to France.
The Senate approves the nominations of Robert Livingston and James Monroe to enter into a treaty or convention with the First Consul of France.
The House of Representatives appropriates $2,000,000 for the purchase of Louisiana.
Thomas Jefferson sends a secret letter to Congress asking for "the appropriation of two thousand five hundred dollars, 'for the purpose of extending the external commerce of the United States.'" This money will be used to fund the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The Senate debates the Mississippi question and "resolutions respecting the indisputable right of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi."
The Senate continues to debate the Mississippi question and "resolutions respecting the indisputable right of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi."
The Senate continues to debate the Mississippi question and "resolutions respecting the indisputable right of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi."
The Senate continues to debate the Mississippi question and "resolutions respecting the indisputable right of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi."
The Senate continues to debate the Mississippi question and "resolutions respecting the indisputable right of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi."
The Senate debates the Mississippi question and votes on "resolutions respecting the indisputable right of the United States to the free navigation of the Mississippi." The Senate authorizes the president to "arm, and equip, according to law, and hold in readiness to march, at a moment's warning, eighty thousand effective militia."
Thomas Jefferson signs into law "An Act for extending the external commerce of the United States," which appropriates $2,500 for the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Robert Livingston and James Monroe sign the Louisiana Purchase Treaty and Conventions in Paris, France.
Treaty Between the United States of America and the French Republic.
Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic.
Convention Between the United States of America and the French Republic.
