"The Spanish Governor of Louisiana, in violation of a 1795 Treaty, refused permission of the traders on the Mississippi to deposit their products at New Orleans. This act, so injurious, so injurious to their commerce, caused a great commotion among the people beyond the mountains.
The government was called upon to redress thse grievances; the western people must have the privilege fo freely navigating the Mississippi, or they would seize New Orleans, and drive the Spaniards from the territory.
At this crisis intimations came from Paris that Spain, by a secret Treaty had ceded Louisiana to France. Bonaparte's vision of restoring the French power on this continent had become somewhat dim, especially as the overpowering fleet of Great Britain would seize and occupy the mouth of the Mississippi, whenever it was known that it belonged to France.
To avoid this contingency, he was willing to sell the entire territory of Louisiana to the United States. Accordingly, Robert R. Livingston, American Minister at Paris, commenced negotiations, which resulted in the purchase of that region for fifteen million dollars. The rights and privileges of American Citizens were guaranteed to the inhabitants of the purchased territory.
When the sale was completed, Bonaparte is said to have exclaimed: "This cession of territory strengthens forever the power of the United States; I have just given to England a maritime rival that will sooner or later humble her pride."