Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. I.djvu/250

204 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS negotiators on both sides were eager for the trans fer. It did not take long to agree upon the con sideration of 80,000,000 francs as the purchase- money, and the assent of Bonaparte was secured. "I have given to England," he said, exultingly, "a maritime rival that will sooner or later humble her pride." It is evident that the history of the United States has been largely influenced by this trans action, which virtually extended the national domain from the mouth of the Mississippi river to the mouth of the Columbia. Monroe went from Paris to London, where he was accredited to the court of St. James, and subsequently went to Spain in order to negotiate for the cession of Florida to the United States. But he was not suc cessful in this, and returned to London, where, with the aid of William Pinkney, who was sent to re- enforce his efforts, he concluded a treaty with Great Britain after long negotiations frequently interrupted. This treaty failed to meet the ex pectations of the United States in two important particulars it made no provisions against the im pressment of seamen, and it secured no indemnity for loss that Americans had incurred in the seizure of their goods and vessels. Jefferson was so dis satisfied that he would not send the treaty to the senate. Monroe returned home in 1807 and at once drew up an elaborate defence of his political con duct. Matters were evidently drifting toward war