F3701

Louisiana Purchase - Bicentennial

Thomas Jefferson

Collins Cover Announcement 

The Louisiana Purchase

In the late 1700s, the question of who controlled navigation rights on the Mississippi River became one of vital importance. France had originally claimed a vast tract west of the Mississippi but ceded it to Spain in 1762. Then, on October 1, 1800, Spain secretly transferred the land back to France.

President Thomas Jefferson learned of the transfer in 1801. For two years, Robert Livingston, as U.S. Minister to France, negotiated for the purchase of New Orleans and Florida. Then, unexpectedly on April 11, 2003, Livingston learned that Napoleon was willing to sell the entire vast territory known as Louisiana. Realizing that this was an amazing offer, Livingston and James Monroe, who had joined him, quickly moved to finalize an agreement, and on April 30, 1803, a treaty was signed at a price of $15 million.

The treaty was ratified by the Senate on October 20th, and on December 20th the United States took possession of its new territory at a ceremony in New Orleans. When the size of the acquisition was finally determined, the country was amazed. For four cents an acre (which included 81/2 million dollars of finance charges over a twenty-year payout), the United States had purchased 883,072 square miles from Canada to New Orleans — from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. And just for good measure, the sale included the Gulf coasts of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

In the traditional woodcut artistic style of my Old Glory set, the hand painted cachet for this new stamp has President Thomas Jefferson in front of an American flag. A period bald eagle illustration spreads its wings over a banner which proclaims, "Under my wings everything prospers." Indeed, under President Jefferson's vision of expansion and, due to the decisive action of negotiators Robert Livingston and James Monroe, the ongoing prosperity that America has experienced is due in large measure to their purchase of the Louisiana Purchase. Collins #F3701 — $12.25.