Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana purchase, 1951

Thomas Jefferson played a great part in helping to secure for his country its first and greatest territorial acquisition. Through his untiring interest in this effort, he rendered a noble service to the posterity of the nation. Jefferson had much respect for the "Supreme Law of the Land," and he engaged in several controversies in trying to ward off measures which he felt would weaken its supremacy. Nevertheless, in 1803, Jefferson was confronted with carrying out the act of acquiring the Louisiana territory. This was an act which he thought the Constitution did not give him the power to do. He had taken his stand on the "strict construction" interpretation of the Constitution, and was now faced with a decision which would guarantee doubling America's territory. After writing to his friends and receiving wise counseling about the matter, Jefferson authorized the purchase. Although he was reluctant to do so, he was strengthened largely by the consideration that his use of power in this case was for the welfare of the nation. The real history of the acquisition of Louisiana must tell of the westward movement and the desire of the Westerners to obtain the right to navigate the mouth of the Mississippi River. It should be remembered that, though Jefferson was the most ardent champion of our rights and interests in the West, the winning of Louisiana was due to no one man, but to all who had interest in the valleys of the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi