3032. FLORIDA, Buying.—
It was
agreed at a cabinet meeting [that] Monroe be instructed
to endeavor to purchase both Floridas
if he can; West [Florida] if he cannot
East, at the prices before agreed on; but if
neither can be procured, then to stipulate a
plenary right to use all the rivers rising within
our limits and passing through theirs. * * *
We are more indifferent about pressing the
purchase of the Floridas, because of the money
we have to provide for Louisiana, and because
we think they cannot fail to fall into our hands.—
The Anas.
Ford ed., i. 300.
(Oct. 1803)
