Paris, France French minister Robert Livingston explains to Secretary of State James Madison his strategy to convince France to cede territory in West Florida and Louisiana. Jefferson advances Lewis $15.
A Map of North America (1803, detail)
by John Luffman (1756–1846)
28 x 35 cm.[1]Luffman, J. A map of North America ; Outline of North America, in correspond to the map. [S.l, 1803] Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/99446111.
Livingston’s Strategy
PARIS 18 Feby. 1803
Dear Sir
. . . . .
I have first endeavoured to Shew how little advantage France is like to make from these [Louisiana] Colonies . . . . I have dwelt upon the importance of a friendly intercourse between them & us both as it respects their Commerce & the Security of their Islands, & I have proposed to them the relinquishment of New Orleans and West Florida . . . under an idea that it was necessary to interpose us between them and Canada as the only means of preventing an attack from that quarter. I did not speak of East Florida because I found they consider the navigation of the gulph as very important. For this I proposed an indefinite Sum not wishing to mention any till I Should receive Your instructions—
I am Dear Sir with the most respectful consideration Your Most Obt hum. Servt.
Robt. R Livingston[2]Robert R. Livingston to James Madison, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-04-02-0405 accessed 20 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, … Continue reading
Lewis’s Advance
1803
Feb 18. Advanced Capt. Lewis 15.D.[3]“Memorandum Books, 1803,” Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/02-02-02-0013 accessed 15 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas … Continue reading
Notes
| ↑1 | Luffman, J. A map of North America ; Outline of North America, in correspond to the map. [S.l, 1803] Map. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/99446111. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | Robert R. Livingston to James Madison, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-04-02-0405 accessed 20 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, vol. 4, 8 October 1802–15 May 1803, ed. Mary A. Hackett, J. C. A. Stagg, Jeanne Kerr Cross, Susan Holbrook Perdue, and Ellen J. Barber. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1998, pp. 328–333.]. Encoded by Livingston’s secretary and decoded by the authors. |
| ↑3 | “Memorandum Books, 1803,” Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/02-02-02-0013 accessed 15 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series, Jefferson’s Memorandum Books, vol. 2, ed. James A Bear, Jr. and Lucia C. Stanton. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1997, pp. 1089–1117.] |
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).