highnote
09-13-2005, 11:24 PM
Someone asked in another thread why New Orleans was built where it is -- or at least that is how I remember the question. Obviously, it was important for its ports and wharves. But these passages below are interesting.
Here are some excerpts from "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose:
"In the spring of 1801 Jefferson learned of secret treaties between France and Spain that would transfer Louisiana back to France.
Jefferson was greatly alarmed. As he put it, "There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans, through which the produce of three eighths of our territory must pass to market."
"The day that France takes possession of New Orleans fixes the sentence to which is to restrain her forever within her low water mark, because from that moment we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation."
He let the French know of his resolve to possess Louisiana and he suggested Napoleon cede Louisiana to the U.S. to eliminate the possibility of war between the former allies, a war which Jefferson warned would "annihilate France on the ocean." And he declared that his government would consider any attempt to land French troops in Louisiana a cause for war.
But Napoleon did not become emperor of France by giving things away. He would rather sell than give.
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Fascinating stuff if you like American history.
Here are some excerpts from "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose:
"In the spring of 1801 Jefferson learned of secret treaties between France and Spain that would transfer Louisiana back to France.
Jefferson was greatly alarmed. As he put it, "There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans, through which the produce of three eighths of our territory must pass to market."
"The day that France takes possession of New Orleans fixes the sentence to which is to restrain her forever within her low water mark, because from that moment we must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation."
He let the French know of his resolve to possess Louisiana and he suggested Napoleon cede Louisiana to the U.S. to eliminate the possibility of war between the former allies, a war which Jefferson warned would "annihilate France on the ocean." And he declared that his government would consider any attempt to land French troops in Louisiana a cause for war.
But Napoleon did not become emperor of France by giving things away. He would rather sell than give.
-----
Fascinating stuff if you like American history.