The New Student's Reference Work/Louisiana Purchase, The

Louisiana Purchase, The, was the most important addition to the territory of the original thirteen states. Its northern boundary is indefinite, but practically reaches the boundary between British America (Canada) and the United States. Thus it took in the whole of the United States west of the Mississippi, except Texas, California and what the United States won from Mexico by treaty and purchase. For this country, bought from France in 1803, the United States paid $11,250,000 and assumed the French spoliation claims, which, however, were never paid.