The Louisiana Purchase was made on April 30, 1803.  It was bought from France for 15 million dollars.  Out of the 15 million 11,250,00 was paid from the U.S. to france then the rest (3,750,000) was paid from the U.S. to the citizens to satisfy claims against the French.
    The purchase doubled the size of the U.S.  It was more than 800,000 sq. miles in size.  It comprised: Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota (west of the Mississippi), North Dakota, Colorado (east of the Rockies), and Louisiana (west of the Mississippi, but including New Orleans).

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                        Microsoft Encarta
                        Microsoft Co.
                        1994
 

    The land was a fur trappers dream. William Clark was Brigadier General of the militia.  Then Meriwether Lewis was governor.
     The whole reason for the expedition was because of this purchase.  Thomas Jefferson wanted a usable water route across the land.
 

                         Sacagawea
                         Alana J. White
                         1997
                        p.104, 105, 106