In France in March of 1802, Livingston had been dropping subtle hints to French
officials about US concerns regarding the situation in the Mississippi.
"Let France cede to the United States so much of Louisiana as lies above
the mouth of the River Arkansas. By this, a barrier will be placed between the
Colony of France and Canada, from which she may otherwise be attacked with the
greatest facility, and driven out before she can derive any aid from Europe.
Ler her retain the country lying on the west of the Mississippi and below the
Arkansas River - a country capable of supporting fifteen millions of inhabitants.
By this, she will place a barrier between the United States and Mexico, if (which
I hope will never be the case) they should have the wild idea of carrying their
arms into that country, and at the same time be at hand to protect the Spanish
establishments against the ambitious views of any European Power. Ler her possess
East Florida as far as the River Perdido, with all ports on the Gulf, cede West
Florida, New Orleans, and the territory on the east bank of Mississippi, to
the United States ...." Livingston argued that it would be good policy
for France to cede the territories gratuitously to the United States, yet the
latter would be willing to purchase them "at a price suited to their value."
1 When it became clear to the US that France had indeed purchased
Louisiana, Jefferson sent Jason Monroe to France, to meet up with Livingston,
to negotiate. Jefferson issued instructions such that
'First they were to offer anything up to fifty million francs for New Orleans
and the Floridas, which would give the US the whole east bank of the Mississippi,
and the Gulf Coast to the eastward. If France refused, three quarters of the
sum should be offered for the Island of New Orleans alone; or space on the east
bank should be purchased for an American port. Failing here, they must press
for a perpetual guarantee of their rights of navigation and deposit.' 2