Day-by-Day / February 25, 1803

February 25, 1803

The "two million" bill

Washington, DC Thomas Jefferson writes a letter to James Monroe who is preparing to leave for France to begin negotiating a solution regarding Louisiana. He tells Monroe that what would become known as the Lewis and Clark expedition will explore the Mississippi River.

James Monroe (1758-1831)

copy by James Sharples (1751–1811)
of a portrait by Thomas Sully (1783–1872)

painting of James Monroe by James Sharples

Independence National Historical Park.

Spread on the table in the above, is a “Map of Florida.” Originally asked to obtain Western Florida in the French and Spanish negotiations of 1803, Florida remained in Spanish control when Monroe was elected as the fifth President of the United States. As the portrait intimates, he long held the acquisition of Florida close to his heart. He finally accomplished his mission with the Adams-Ónis Treaty of 1819.

The Two Million Bill

Dear Sir

. . . . .

Congress having passed the two million bill, you will recieve by this mail your last dispatches. others will follow you about the 2d. week of April, before which time I shall be returned from Monticello. I set out for that place on the 6th. of March.

The “two million bill” was actually titled “making further provision for the expenses attending the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations” and as a result, Monroe was leaving for France. The eventual result is now known as the Louisiana Purchase.

The “Missisipi” Expedition

Congress has given authority for exploring the Missisipi, which however is ordered to be secret. this will employ about 10. persons two years.

present my friendly respects to mrs Monroe & Eliza, and accept my best wishes for a pleasant voyage, happy result, and assurances of my constant & affectionate attachment

Th. Jefferson[1]“Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 25 February 1803,” Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-39-02-0494 accessed 3 May 2022. [Original source: … Continue reading

Related: Jefferson’s Secrecy

Youngest of the Virginia westernizers, Monroe served in the Revolutionary War, studied law with Thomas Jefferson, and from early in his career identified with U.S. control of Mississippi valley. He was sent to France to calm western fears that President Jefferson might not push hard enough for a solution to the Louisiana problem. His administration as the fifth president (1817-25) was called the “Era of Good Feeling.”

 

Notes

Notes
↑1 “Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 25 February 1803,” Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-39-02-0494 accessed 3 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 39, 13 November 1802–3 March 1803, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2012, p. 584.]

Discover More

  • The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
  • The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.

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Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).