ed one hundred years and a day ago had little
precedent in history; it dealt with territories larger than the
Empire of Alexander; it followed no war; it was preceded by no
shedding of human blood; the new possessions got a hundred times
more than they even thought of demanding, and the negotiations
were so simple, the good faith and mutual friendship so obvious,
that all was concluded in a fortnight. The simplest protocol on
postal or sanitary questions takes nowadays more time. Each
party found its interest in the transaction, but something more
than interest led the affair to a speedy conclusion and that was
the deep-rooted sympathy of the French and American nations.

The French were simply continuing what they had begun; they had
wished America to be free and they were glad to think that she
would be great. Money was paid, it is true; had this been the
main consideration, Louisiana would have been preserved, for the
money was not by far the equivalent of the buildings and lands
belonging to the State. Part of the money was employed in
satisfying American claims. "Those," says the French negotiator,
Marbois, "who knew the importance of a good understanding
between these two countries, attached more importance to the
$4,000,000 set apart for American claims than to the $12,000,000
offered to France."

An impending war in Europe, the possibilities of an occupation
of Louisiana by a foreign power was not, either, the main
motive. In the council held at the Tuileries on Easter day,
1803, the Marshal and Prince of Wagram, Berthier, whose first
war had been the war of American independence, said, as to this:
"If Louisiana is taken from us by our rivals what does it
matter? Other possessions would soon be in our hands, and by
means of an exchange, we should quickly obtain a restitution."
He concluded, "No navy without colonies, no colonies without a
navy."

Add again that the value of Louisiana was much better understood
than it had been before. "I know the worth of what I give up,"
said Bonaparte; and the French Government knew it indeed. They
acted with open eyes, for they had taken care from the year 1800
to gather all available information. One of the memoirs with
which they enlightened themselves had been asked of Louis
Vilemont, former captain in the regiment of L