Those young but growing settlements chafed against the restraints imposed by Spain on the river trade of the lower Mississippi--the sole means available for their exports in times when the Alleghanies were crossed by only two tracks worthy the name of roads.

In 1795 they gained free egress to the Gulf of Mexico and the right of bonding their merchandise in a special warehouse at New Orleans.

Thereafter the United States calmly awaited the time when racial vigour and the exigencies of commerce should yield to them the possession of the western prairies and the little townships of Arkansas and New Orleans.
They reckoned without taking count of the eager longing of the French for their former colony and the determination of Napoleon to give effect to this honourable sentiment.
In July, 1800, when his negotiations with the United States were in good train, the First Consul sent to Madrid instructions empowering the French Minister there to arrange a treaty whereby France should receive Louisiana in return for the cession of Tuscany to the heir of the Duke of Parma.

This young man had married the daughter of Charles IV.

of Spain; and, for the aggrandizement of his son-in-law, that _roi faineant_, was ready, nay eager, to bargain away a quarter of a continent; and he did so by a secret convention signed at St.Ildefonso on October 7th, 1800.
But though Charles rejoiced over this exchange, Godoy, who was gifted with some insight into the future, was determined to frustrate it.
Various events occurred which enabled this wily Minister, first to delay, and then almost to prevent, the odious surrender.