| I have affirmed that it was better for both parties to transact the Purchase. I did not set any dates for possible annexation, but was thinking of the long run prospect of France holding the territory without substantial immigration. Since I doubt that, even during a truce, Napoleon would have left the Continent practically underdefended against the British, I question how big an armada he would have sent to protect New Orleans. As for your hobby horse of guerrilla warfare, it is likely, in so comparatively barbarous an age, to have been met with ethnic cleansing, sending the French back to their homeland, until there was no one left to fight. Of course, given our experience in annexing Mexican territory such as California, which was not met with endless guerilla war, I doubt your premise anyway. Finally, I only referred to Napoleon by that name. |
