Download Louisiana Purchase Primary Source Documents

Louisiana Purchase Primary Source Documents
1) Authority Given to the President to Take Possession of the Territory of Louisiana; October 31, 1803:
Be it enacted by...the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United
States is hereby authorized to take possession of, and occupy the territory ceded by France to the
United States…on the thirtieth day of April last…and that he may, in order to maintain the authority of
the United States, employ any part of the army and navy of the United States, which he may deem
necessary.
2) From the Louisiana Purchase Treaty; April 30, 1803:
The First Consul of the French Republic desiring to give to the United States a strong proof of his
friendship doth hereby cede to the United States in the name of the French Republic for ever and in full
Sovereignty the [Louisiana Territory].
The inhabitants of the [Louisiana] territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States and
admitted as soon as possible according to the principles of the Constitution to the enjoyment of all these
rights, advantages and immunities of citizens of the United States, and…they shall be maintained and
protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property and the Religion which they profess.
3) Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis; June 20, 1803:
The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri river [to] the Pacific Ocean…across this continent,
for the purposes of commerce.
Your observations are to be taken with great pains & accuracy, to be entered distinctly & intelligibly for
others as well as yourself, to comprehend all the elements
…make yourself acquainted with the names of the nations & numbers [of the tribes] their relations with
other tribes of nations; language, traditions, monuments; agriculture, fishing, hunting, war, arts; their
food, clothing, [homes]; the diseases & the remedies they use…
And, considering the interest which every nation has in extending & strengthening the authority of
reason & justice among the people around them, it will be useful to acquire what knolege you can of the
state of morality, religion, & information among them; as it may better enable those who endeavor to
civilize & instruct them, to adapt their measure to the existing notions & practices of those on whom
they are to operate.
…On your arrival on that coast endeavor learn if there be any port within your reach frequented by the
sea-vessels of any nation.
Th. Jefferson
Pr. U.S. of America
NAME:________________________________
Louisiana Purchase questions
1. What does the date of the Congress’ statement tell you about the nature Jefferson’s actions?
2. To whom does the Louisiana Territory belong by 1804?
3. Who sold it?
4. What does Jefferson’s letter to Lewis tell you about the United States’ intentions for its newest
western territory?