id,

"Irresolution and deliberation are no longer in season. I renounce
Louisiana. It is not only New Orleans that I will cede, it is the
whole colony without any reservation. I know the value of what I
abandon. It renounce it with the gravest regret. To attempt
obstinately to retain it would be folly. I direct you to negotiate
this affair with the envoy of the United States. Do not even wait
the arrival of Mr. Monroe. Have an interview this very day with
Mr. Livingston. . . . But I require a great deal of money for this
war. I will be moderate. I want fifty millions for Louisiana."

The minister, who was opposed to the sale, interposed, in a subsequent
interview, some observations "upon what the Germans call the _souls_,
as to whether they could be the subject of a contract or sale."
Bonaparte replied with undisguised sarcasm,--

"You are giving me the ideology of the law of nature. But I require
money to make war on the richest nation in the world. Send your
maxims to London. I am sure they will be greatly admired there."

The First Consul afterwards added, "Perhaps it will be objected
that the Americans will be found too powerful for Europe in two or
three centuries; but my foresight does not embrace such remote
fears. Besides, we may hereafter expect rivalries among the members
of the Union. The confederations, which are called perpetual, only
last till one of the contracting parties finds it in his interest
to break them."

SUCCESS OF JEFFERSON'S DIPLOMACY.

Two days after this conversation Mr. Monroe opportunely arrived,
and on the 30th of April the treaty ceding Louisiana to the United
States was formally concluded. Mr. Monroe and Mr. Livingston had
no authority to negotiate for so vast an extent of territory; but
the former was fully possessed of President Jefferson's views, and
felt assured that his instructions would have been ample if the
condition of France had been foreseen when he sailed from America.
Communication with Washington was impossible. Under the most
favorable circumstances, an answer could not be expected in less
then three months. By that time British ships would probably hold
the mouths of the Mississippi, and the flag of St. George be waving
over New Orleans. Monroe and Livingston both realized that hesitation
would be fatal; and they boldly took the responsibility of purchasing
a territory of unknown but prodigious extent,