“Although I deplore the man, I know Adams is correct.  We should find a source of income through the natural resources of this land, and perhaps a city of gold or two.  My intentions were to decrease the power of this office, and hypocrisy is not in my nature.  However, I have decided to purchase the Louisiana Territory from the French without first requesting permission through Congress. Napoleon is completely focused on conquering Europe. I see now that this opportunity to purchase such a vast amount of land from the French will not last forever.  Hopefully, the natural resources alone will be enough to pay our debts and remove our need of a national bank. There should be a few gold veins out there, and perhaps a gold city or two.

-Thomas Jefferson 1803″