1. State the constitutional position of Jefferson, of Pickering, of Taylor. 2. Can you determine their politics from the principle advocated? 3. How did Jefferson propose to get around the constitutional difficulty? 4. Do these arguments affect any question to-day? 5. See how many constitutional questions you can find? 6. What was the main issue? 7. Write a narrative history of the acquisition of Louisiana. 8. Find out and discuss, as far as you can, the effects of the purchase. Make a map showing what states have been carved out of the Louisiana territory.

THE PURCHASE OF FLORIDA

The Florida treaty, 1819. Part of West Florida occupied, 1811; rest of West Florida taken possession of, 1812. Area, 59,268 square miles. Total cost, $6,489,768. Ownership of West Florida in dispute, 1803-1819. Provision made for its incorporation into the Union. The purchase the work of John Quincy Adams.

CHAPTER V

THE PURCHASE OF FLORIDA

The purchase of Louisiana made the acqui sition of Florida almost a necessity. The former, however, so overshadowed the latter in importance that due attention has not been given by our historians to the result of John Quincy Adams' diplomacy. He considered this treaty the most important act of his life up to that time, and as one of the most momentous events in American history. I believe it is not generally known, certainly not generally appreciated, that for many years the attempt to secure the Floridas dominated the course of

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American political action. For several years, after 1803, Jefferson bent his foreign policy with reference to securing, at least, West FlorMadison modified his course, more or less, as it would be affected by, or would affect, this question. The Seminole war, the foreign complications in connection with Ambrister and Arbuthnot, Jackson's difficulty in regard to the invasion of Florida, all were factors in this problem. In fact it may be said that, from 1803 to 1821, there was scarcely a moment in which the peace and welfare of the United States was not more or less endangered by the existence of Florida as a Spanish possession.

Then too, there was the question of the boundary of Louisiana, which involved the other issue whether West Florida was a part of the Louisiana purchase or not. It will be noticed also that by this treaty the south-western boundary was determined and the southern boundary of Oregon fixed. To be sure Texas was given up, and its reannexation became later an issue which we will study in the next chapter.

I hope that the material which I have brought together in this study may help to an understanding of a generally little known topic in the history of the "expansion" of the United States.

The following extracts from the treaty between the United States and Spain whereby Florida. was acquired will lay the foundation for our study:

Treaty of amity, settlement, and limits between ne United States of America and his Catholic Majesty. Concluded February 22, 1819; ratification exchanged February 22, 1821; proclaimed February 22, 1821. Also ratification of the same by the King of Spain. October 24, 1820.

The United States of America and his Catholic Majesty, desiring to consolidate on a permanent basis, the friendship and good correspondence which happily prevails between the two parties, have determined to settle and terminate all their differences and pretensions, by a treaty, which shall designate with precision, the limits of their respective Lordering territories in North America.

With this intention the President of the United States has furnished with their full powers John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State of the Said United States, and his Catholic majesty has appointed the Most Excel