Louisiana, Napoleon and the United States

This informative first-time translation of the autobiography of Pierre-Clement de Laussat (1756-1835), offers a portrait of the middle-man in the transaction of 1803 which gave the United States the Louisiana territory. The life of this 'transfer agent' reads like a novel amply detailed with the love, pride, ambition, and courage that drove him to make a mark on history. Appointed by Napoleon in 1803 as Colonial Prefect for Louisiana and Commissioner General, Pierre-Clement de Laussat negotiated the cession of the Louisiana Territory to France from Spain and fended off the danger of foreign occupation and internal insurrections threatening Louisiana during the interim of the switch of control by the countries involved. It was he who represented France at the ceremonies of cession of Louisiana on December 20, 1803 and who received the French flag when it was lowered in Jackson Square to be replaced by the American colors. And it was he who continued to maintain peace in the newly-acquired territory until William C. Claiborn assumed governship for the United States. Translated with an introduction by Sister Agnes-Josephine Pastwa. Compiled by Sister Joan LaVerne Rutz.