How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Washington City: Printed by Samuel Harrison Smith, Wednesday, October 26th, 1803. Vol. III, No. CCCCLXX. Printed newspaper. Folio. (4) pp. Old ownership signature at top of front page. Disbound, old stub along spine; creasing from old folds, separations along same; chipping and wear along fore-edge.

On the front-page is a report regarding the Louisiana Purchase, prefaced with, "The House of Representatives have taken off the injunction of secrecy respecting the following proceedings of the last session, and ordered them to be printed." Following is a resolution passed by Congress on January 12, 1803, appropriating $2 million for the purchase of New Orleans and East and West Florida from the Spanish and French. On the fourth page is a report from Congress requesting the President provide a copy of the Spanish and French treaty, ceding Louisiana Territory to France. Congress ratified the Louisiana Purchase a week prior to this newspaper, on October 20.

A lengthy article on the second and third pages prints the debates around the passage and ratification of the 12th Amendment to the Constitution.