and England; and
Bonaparte knew that Louisiana, in that event, would be at the mercy of
his enemy. He at once determined to change his policy in regard to that
province, and to part with it, as the only means of saving it from
England. On the 10th of April 1803, he entered upon the execution of his
design, and called two counsellors to him, and addressed them "with that
vehemence and passion which he particularly manifested in political
affairs." He said he knew the full value of Louisiana, and had been
desirous of repairing the fault by which it was lost--that "a few lines
of a treaty have restored it to me, and I have scarcely recovered it
when I must expect to lose it." Looking to the strength it would give to
the United States, he said: "But if it escapes from me, it shall one
day cost dearer to those who oblige me to strip myself of it, than to
those to whom I wish to deliver it." After some remarks upon the naval
strength in the Gulf of Mexico, and the ease with which they might take
Louisiana, he added;--

"I think of ceding it to the United States. I can scarcely say
that I cede it to them, for it is not yet in our possession.
If, however, I leave the least time to our enemies, I shall
only transmit an empty title to those republicans whose
friendship I seek. They only ask of me one town in Louisiana,
but I already consider the colony as entirely lost, and it
appears to me that in the hands of this growing power, it will
be more useful to the policy and even to the commerce of
France, than if I should attempt to keep it."

The counsellors differed in their opinions, diametrically, each giving
his reasons at large. The first consul decided the question immediately;
he promptly declared, that

"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 price of what I abandon, and I have sufficiently proved the
importance that I attach to this province, since my first
diplomatic act with Spain had for its object the recovery of
it. I renounce it with the greatest regret. To attempt
obstinately to retain it would be folly. I direct you to
negotiate this affair with the envoys of the United States. Do
not even await the arrival of Mr. Monroe: have an interview
this very day with Mr. Livingston.