Purchase details
Jefferson's purchase of Louisiana was far more complicated than imagined.
Painting of the treaty writing.
- The Treaty of San Ildefonso was written in 1800, giving Louisiana to France, but was signed in 1802.
- Jefferson first tried to buy New Orleans in 1801, when he sent Robert R. Livingston to France. He was supposed to negotiate a price that was under 10 million dollars.
- A year after France acquired Louisiana, on April 11, 1803, France decided to sell it to the US.
- Jefferson was so excited that he even sent another person to help out with the negotiating.
- On April 12, James Monroe arrived in France to help Livingston buy Louisiana.
- In less than a month, on May 2, the Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed, giving Louisiana to America.