Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 39 - 13 November 1802 to 3 March 1803

List of contents

About the author

Barbara B. Oberg, senior research scholar and lecturer with the rank of professor at Princeton University, is general editor of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson.

Summary

This volume opens on 13 November 1802, when Jefferson is in Washington, and closes on 3 March 1803, the final day of his second year as president. The central issue of these months is the closing of the right of deposit at New Orleans, an act that threatens the economic wellbeing of Westerners. Jefferson asks his old friend Pierre Samuel du Pont de Nemours to remind the French government of the strong friendship between the two nations. To disarm the political opposition, the president sends James Monroe, who is respected by the Federalists, to Europe as a special envoy to work with Robert Livingston in negotiating the dispute with France. Jefferson proposes a "bargain" that will result in the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory. In a confidential message to Congress, Jefferson seeks $2,500 to send a small party of men to explore the Missouri River. Congress concurs, and Jefferson's secretary Meriwether Lewis will lead the expedition. Settling the boundaries with Native American lands is a major theme of the volume. In reality, "settling" results in major cessions of Indian lands to the American government. During the months of this volume Jefferson never leaves the capital, even for a brief sojourn at Monticello. He does, however, enjoy a visit of six weeks from his daughters and two of his grandchildren. They participate in Washington society, capture the affection of Margaret Bayard Smith, and brighten Jefferson's days.

Product details

• Authors: Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson Thomas, Barbara B. (EDT)/ Jefferson Oberg
• Assisted by: Barbara B. Oberg (Editor), Oberg Barbara B. (Editor)
• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 15.01.2013
• EAN: 9780691156712
• ISBN: 978-0-691-15671-2
• No. of pages: 760
• Series: Papers of Thomas Jefferson; The Papers of Thomas Jefferson
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political education; USA, Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, HISTORY / United States / 19th Century, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, United States of America, USA, History of the Americas