Glenn Beck

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In March 1803, as Napoleon's frozen fleet waited in Holland and Robert Livingston waited in Paris, President Jefferson made another move.

He sent James Monroe across the Atlantic.

Monroe was not just another diplomat.

He was the former ambassador to France, a Revolutionary War veteran, a man with credibility in both Europe and the American West.

This time, Jefferson expanded the mission.

Monroe was now authorized to spend up to $10 million for New Orleans, as well as West Florida.

And if the negotiations failed, Monroe was instructed to go straight to London and explore an alliance with Britain.

It was a quiet, aggressive ultimatum.

Sell to us or we will turn to your greatest enemy.

Weeks later, while Monroe was still at sea, Napoleon attended Easter Mass in Paris.

After the service, he summoned two of his most trusted advisors.

The French disaster in Haiti had changed the strategic map.

The British Navy ruled the oceans, another war with Britain was coming, and Louisiana suddenly looked like a liability, a drain on Napoleon's military resources.

He was obsessed with thwarting the British.

Napoleon spoke first.

Well, his finance minister agreed.

Better to sell the land than lose it to the British.

The minister of the Navy objected.

To abandon the colony, he said, would be contrary to the honor of France.