Year(s) Discussed: 1801-1803
Though the Louisiana Purchase Treaty had been concluded, President Jefferson understood that didn’t mean it was a done deal, and he and his administration got to work in the latter half of 1803 on getting the treaty ratified by the Senate and in pushing through legislation to carry through the purchase. However, they also had to contend with increased criticism in the press and with a gnawing concern in many minds, including that of the President, that there was nothing in the Constitution that said the United States could in fact acquire new territory.
Featured Image: “William Plumer, head-and-shoulders portrait, right profile” by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin [c. 1806], courtesy of Wikipedia
Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band
Special thanks to Chris and Åsa of the Flatpack History of Sweden podcast for providing the intro quotes for this episode! Special thanks also to Alex for some last minute audio editing assistance!
Featured Image: “William Duane” by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin [c. 1802], courtesy of Wikipedia