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The Louisiana Purchase Legislative Timeline -- 1803-1804
The Louisiana Purchase Legislative Timeline
8th Congress, 1st Session
September 30, 1803
"Louisiana." From Arrowsmith & Lewis New and Elegant General Atlas, 1804. Library of Congress Geography and Map Division. |
- Governor William C. C. Claiborne delivers an address to the citizens of
Louisiana.
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1233.
October 17, 1803
- Thomas Jefferson presents his Third Annual Message to Congress,
which discusses the Louisiana Purchase.
Annals of Congress, 11-15;
Senate Journal, 297-99;
House Journal, 405-8.
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to the Senate on the Louisiana
Purchase treaty and related communications.
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1003 (7th Session, Appendix);
American
State Papers, Foreign Relations, volume 2, 506.
October 20, 1803
- The Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase treaty by a vote of 24
yeas and 7 nays.
Senate
Executive Journal, 450.
October 21, 1803
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to Congress on the Louisiana Purchase treaty.
Annals
of Congress, 17-18 (Senate); Annals
of Congress, 382 (House of Representatives); Senate
Journal, 301; House
Journal, 412.
- In addition to the presidential message, Jefferson submits
to Congress a copy of the Louisiana Purchase treaties, as well as related
communications written and received by Robert Livingston, James Monroe, Rufus
King, James Madison, and Charles Pinckney during and after negotiations.
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1004-1210 (7th Session, Appendix); American
State Papers, Foreign Relations, volume 2, 507-81.
- The Senate introduces “An act to enable the President of the United
States to take possession of the territories ceded by France to the United
States, by the treaty concluded at Paris on the thirtieth of April last,
and for the temporary government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 18.
- The House of Representatives debates the Louisiana Treaty.
Annals
of Congress, 382-85.
October 24, 1803
- The House of Representatives continues to debate the Louisiana Treaty.
Annals
of Congress, 385-419.
October 25, 1803
- The House of Representatives continues to debate the Louisiana Treaty.
Annals
of Congress, 432-89.
October 26, 1803
- The Senate passes “An act to enable the President of the United States
to take possession of the territories ceded by France to the United States,
by the treaty concluded at Paris on the thirtieth of April last, and for the
temporary government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 26; Senate
Journal, 302-3; House
Bills and Resolutions, Bill 1.
October 27, 1803
- The House of Representatives debates “An act to enable the President
of the United States to take possession of the territories ceded by France
to the United States, by the treaty concluded at Paris on the thirtieth of
April last, and for the temporary government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 497-515.
- The House of Representatives introduces a bill “Making provision
for the payment of claims of citizens of the United States on the Government
of France, the payment of which has been assumed by the United States, by
virtue of the Convention of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred
and three, between the United States and the French Republic.”
House
Journal, 422; House
Bills and Resolutions, Bill 2.
October 28, 1803
- The House of Representatives passes "An act to enable the President
of the United States to take possession of the territories ceded by
France to the United States, by the treaty concluded at Paris on the
thirtieth of April last, and for the temporary government thereof,"
together with the amendments agreed to the day before, which was read
the third time.
Annals
of Congress, 545-46; House
Journal, 424.
- The House of Representatives debates a bill “for carrying into
effect the Convention of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight
hundred and three, between the United States of America and the French
Republic,” which authorized the creation of a stock to the amount
of $11,250,000.
Annals
of Congress, 546-48.
October 29, 1803
- The Senate retreats from its disagreement with the House of Representatives
concerning the amendments the House insists on attaching to "An act to
enable the President of the United States to take possession of the territories
ceded by France to the United States, by the treaty concluded at Paris on
the 30th of April last, and for the temporary government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 27-28 and 548-51;
Senate
Journal, 304.
- The House of Representatives debates and passes “An act making provision
for the payment of claims of citizens of the United States on the Government
of France, the payment of which has been assumed by the United States, by
virtue of the Convention of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred
and three, between the United States and the French Republic.”
Annals
of Congress, 548; House
Journal, 426-27.
October 31, 1803
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An act to enable the President of
the United States to take possession of the territories ceded by France to
the United States, by the treaty concluded at Paris on the thirtieth of April
last, and for the temporary government thereof.”
Statutes
at Large, volume 2, 245; Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1245.
November 2, 1803
- The Senate debates “An act authorizing the creation of a stock to
the amount of eleven millions two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for
the purpose of carrying into effect the Convention of the thirtieth of April,
one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States and the French
Republic.”
Annals
of Congress 31-35.
- The Senate passes “An act making provision for the payment of claims
of citizens of the United States on the government of France, the payment
of which has been assumed by the United States by virtue of the convention
of the 30th of April, 1803, between the United States and the French Republic.”
Senate
Journal, 307.
November 3, 1803
- The Senate debates and passes “An act authorizing the creation of
a stock to the amount of eleven millions two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
for the purpose of carrying into effect the Convention of the thirtieth of
April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States and
the French Republic.”
Annals
of Congress, 35-73.
November 7, 1803
- The House of Representatives agrees to the Senate amendment to “An
act authorizing the creation of a stock to the amount of eleven millions two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the purpose of carrying into effect
the Convention of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic.”
Annals
of Congress, 558; House
Journal, 438-39; Senate
Journal, 309.
Th. Jefferson [between 1890 and 1940(?)]. Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Presidential File. Reproduction Number: LC-USZC4-2474 |
November 10, 1803
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An act authorizing the creation
of a stock to the amount of eleven millions two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars, for the purpose of carrying into effect the Convention
of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between
the United States and the French Republic.”
Statutes
at Large, volume 2, 245; Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1245.
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An act making provision
for the payment of claims of citizens of the United States on the
government of France, the payment of which has been assumed by the
United States, by virtue of the convention of the 30th of April,
1803, between the United States and the French Republic.”
Statutes
at Large, volume 2, 247; Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1247.
November 14, 1803
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to Congress containing a “Description
of Louisiana.” This description contains a digest of information
known about Louisiana and discusses geography, population, militias,
fortification, lands and titles, agriculture, the judicial system,
education, religion, government, taxes and duties, expenses and debt,
trade, and manufacturing.
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1498-1525; American
State Papers, Miscellaneous, volume 1, 344-56.
November 29, 1803
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to Congress containing a “Digest
of the Laws of Louisiana” and a “Census of Louisiana.”
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1526-78; American
State Papers, Miscellaneous, Volume 1, 362-84.
November 30, 1803
- The House of Representatives introduces “An act giving effect to the
laws of the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States
by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 638; House
Bills and Resolutions, Bill 10.
December 16, 1803
- The House of Representatives debates “An act giving effect to the
laws of the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States
by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 780.
December 19, 1803
- The House of Representatives passes “An act giving effect to the laws
of the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States by
the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 781; House
Journal, 491-93.
December 20, 1803
- In New Orleans, William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson sign the
documents officially transferring Lower Louisiana from France to the
United States. The transfer is announced in a letter addressed to Secretary
of State James Madison.
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1229-33.
January 5, 1804
- The Senate debates “An act giving effect to the laws of
the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States
by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred
and three, between the United States and the French Republic,
and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 226-27.
January 13, 1804
- The Senate continues to debate “An act giving effect to the laws of
the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States by the
treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between
the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 230-31.
January 14, 1804
- The Senate passes “An act giving effect to the laws of the United
States within the Territories ceded to the United States by the treaty of
the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the
United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes”with amendments;
the title is changed by striking out the words “giving effect to the
laws of the United States,” and inserting in lieu thereof the words
“for laying and collecting duties on imports and tonnage.”
Annals
of Congress, 232; Senate
Journal 338-39.
January 16, 1804
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to Congress regarding the formal transfer
of the Louisiana Territory to the United States from France, which includes
the December 20, 1803, letter from William C. C. Claiborne and James
Wilkinson announcing the transfer.
Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1229-33; Senate
Journal, 339; House
Journal, 536; American
State Papers, Foreign Relations, volume 2, 581-83.
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to the bill entitled “An
Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary
Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 233-34 (also includes Jefferson’s message from
this date).
- The House of Representatives considers the amendments proposed by the
Senate to “An act giving effect to the laws of the United States
within the Territories ceded to the United States by the treaty of the
thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the
United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 886-87.
January 17, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting Louisiana
into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 235.
January 23, 1804
- The Senate receives an “Application to prohibit the importation of
slaves into the territory of Louisiana.”
American
State Papers, Miscellaneous, volume 1, 386.
January 24, 1804
- The House of Representatives presents a report on the Senate amendments
to “An act giving effect to the laws of the United States within the
Territories ceded to the United States by the treaty of the thirtieth of April,
one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States and the French
Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 942.
January 25, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates a report on the Senate amendments to
“An act giving effect to the laws of the United States within the Territories
ceded to the United States by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand
eight hundred and three, between the United States and the French Republic,
and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 945.
January 26, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates and votes on Senate amendments to “An
act giving effect to the laws of the United States within the Territories
ceded to the United States by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand
eight hundred and three, between the United States and the French Republic,
and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 950-51.
January 30, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting Louisiana
into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 241-42.
January 31, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting
Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government
thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 243-44.
- The House of Representatives agrees to a conference with the Senate
on “An act giving effect to the laws of the United States
within the Territories ceded to the United States by the treaty
of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic, and for other
purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 960.
February 2, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting Louisiana
into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 245.
February 3, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates “An act giving effect to the
laws of the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States
by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 976-77.
February 7, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting Louisiana
into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 247-48.
February 9, 1804
- The House of Representatives receives a message from the Senate concerning
amendments to “An act giving effect to the laws of the United States
within the Territories ceded to the United States by the treaty of the thirtieth
of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States
and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 982.
- The Senate debates amendments to “An act giving effect to the laws
of the United States within the Territories ceded to the United States by
the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred and three,
between the United States and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 249.
February 10, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting Louisiana
into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 250-51.
February 13, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting
Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government
thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 251-52.
- The House of Representatives and the Senate agree on amendments to
“An act giving effect to the laws of the United States within
the Territories ceded to the United States by the treaty of the thirtieth
of April, one thousand eight hundred and three, between the United States
and the French Republic, and for other purposes.”
Annals
of Congress, 985; Senate
Journal, 355; House
Journal, 571.
February 16, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on amendments to “An Act erecting Louisiana
into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 255.
February 18, 1804
- The Senate passes “An Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories
and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 256; Senate
Journal, 360.
- The House of Representatives passes a resolution “to inquire into
the expediency of authorizing the President of the United States to employ
persons to explore such parts of the province of Louisiana as he may think
proper.”
Annals
of Congress, 1036.
February 20, 1804
- The House of Representatives orders “An act erecting Louisiana into
two territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof”
to be committed to a Committee of the Whole House.
House
Bills and Resolutions, Bill 58.
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to Congress entitled “Fraudulent
Practices in Acquiring Lands in Louisiana.”
American
State Papers, Public Lands, volume 1, 177.
February 24, 1804
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An act for laying and collecting
of duties on imports and tonnage within the territories ceded to the United
States by the treaty of the thirtieth of April, one thousand eight hundred
and three, between the United States and the French Republic, and for other
purposes."
Statutes
at Large, volume 2, 251-54.
February 28, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates “An Act erecting Louisiana into
two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1054-68.
February 29, 1804
- The House of Representatives continues to debate “An Act erecting
Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government
thereof.”
Annals
of Congress 1069-79; House
Bills and Resolutions, Bill 66.
- The House of Representatives orders “An Act providing for the expenses
of the Civil Government of Louisiana” to be committed to a Committee
of the Whole House.
House Bills and Resolutions, Bill 65.
March 3, 1804
- The House of Representatives passes “An Act providing for the expenses
of the Civil Government of Louisiana.”
Annals
of Congress, 1088.
March 8, 1804
- The House of Representatives, Committee of Commerce and Manufactures,
reads a report “to inquire into the expediency of authorizing
the President of the United States to employ persons to explore such
parts of the province of Louisiana as he may think proper.”
Annals
of Congress, 1124-26; American
State Papers, Miscellaneous, volume 1, 390-91.
- Thomas Jefferson sends a message to Congress on the “Importation of slaves into Louisiana” and the “Exploration of Louisiana.”
American State Papers, Miscellaneous, volume 1, 390-91.
March 9, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates “An Act erecting Louisiana into
two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1128-30.
March 14, 1804
- The Senate passes “An Act providing for the expenses of the Civil
Government of Louisiana.”
Annals
of Congress, 276.
- The House of Representatives debates and votes on amendments to “An
Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary
Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1185-89; House
Bills and Resolutions, Bill 77.
March 15, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates and votes on amendments to “An
Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary
Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1191-94.
- The House of Representatives passes with Senate amendments “An Act
providing for the expenses of the Civil Government of Louisiana.”
Annals
of Congress, 1189.
March 16, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates and votes on amendments to “An
Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary
Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1196-97.
March 17, 1804
- The House of Representatives passes “An Act erecting Louisiana into
two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1198-99; House
Journal, 661-62.
March 19, 1804
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An Act providing for the expenses
of the Civil Government of Louisiana.”
Statutes
at Large volume 2, 272; Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1279.
March 20, 1804
- The Senate debates and votes on the House of Representatives’ amendments
to “An Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for
the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 288-90.
- The House of Representatives receives a message from the Senate regarding
amendments accepted and rejected to “An Act erecting Louisiana into
two Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1201-2.
March 21, 1804
- The House of Representatives debates and votes on the Senate amendments
to “An Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for
the Temporary Government thereof.”
Annals
of Congress, 1206-8.
March 23, 1804
- The House of Representatives retreats from their amendments to “An
Act erecting Louisiana into two Territories and providing for the Temporary
Government thereof” and notifies the Senate.
Annals
of Congress, 296 (Senate) and 1229-30
(House of Representatives); Senate
Journal, 390-91; House
Journal, 678-79.
March 26, 1804
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An Act erecting Louisiana into two
Territories and providing for the Temporary Government thereof,” which
divides Louisiana into the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana.
Statutes
at Large, volume 2, 283; Annals
of Congress, Appendix, 1293.
March 27, 1804
- The House of Representatives passes “An Act to provide for a more
extensive distribution of the Laws of the United States.”
Annals
of Congress, 1242-43.
- The Senate passes “An Act to provide for a more extensive distribution
of the Laws of the United States.”
Annals
of Congress, 305-06.
- Thomas Jefferson signs into law “An Act to provide for a more extensive
distribution of the Laws of the United States.” This act stipulates
that one hundred copies of the Laws of the United States be distributed
to the Territory of Orleans and the District of Louisiana.
Statutes
at Large, volume 2, 302.
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