The Franklin Mint History Of The United States, 1776-1973
Manufacturer
The Franklin Mint
DateNo Date
MediumSilver
DimensionsOverall: 1 3/4 in. (45 mm.)
ClassificationsDecorative arts
Credit LineGift of Dr. Eugene F. Poutasse
Object number76.81.28
On View
Not on viewThe 1803 medal: Louisiana Territory Purchased From France
France ceded Louisiana Territory to Spain in 1762 to compensate Spanish losses to the British at the end of the French and Indian War. By a secret treaty signed at San Ildefonso on October 1, 1800 Spain restored the Territory to France on October 15, 1802 in return for creating the Kingdom of Etruria for the Prince of Parma, nephew of the King of Spain. Napoleon promised to return Louisiana to Spain if France did not keep it.
The failure of France to subjugate San Domingo and establish a naval base there made Louisiana indefensible. In the light of history, this turned out for the best. Where Spain had been lethargic in its relations with the United States, Napoleon was ambitious and the restoration of the French Empire in America would have ended or delayed American expansion for many years. President Jefferson feared that we would have to "marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation" in self-defense.
James Monroe and Robert Liningston were authorized to offer as much as $10,000,000 for New Orleans and Florida, which the United States mistakenly assumed had also been ceded by Spain. Instead, Napoleon decided to sell the entire Territory. Monroe and Livingston had few doubts about the desirability of accepting the offer. Rather, the next twenty days were spent in reducing the price so it would be near the amount named in their instructions. They finally agreed on $15,000,000 of which three-fourths went to France and the remainder to Americans with damage claims against the French government. On the medal, James Monroe, Robert Livingston, and French Finance Minister Francois Barbe-Marbois are shown signing the historic agreement. The treaty, dated April 30, 1803, was actually signed on May 2.
This great land purchase doubled the size of the United States and presaged a national growth unique in world history - a country whose area has grown primarily through purchase rather than conquest.
