recognized the immense value of the acquisition and snatched the opportunity from fate. He staked upon its acceptance his personal and political influence and risked the fate of his party. The event justified his foresight.
If what politicians call the "verdict of the country" has any weight, surely Jefferson and his party were acquitted on all counts in the indictment for "inconsistency," "timidity," etc., and were awarded public approval and gratitude by the sweeping victory of the next year. (Annals of Congress, 1804-1805, p. 1195.)
The party which acquired Louisiana, beginning as a Southern party, winning the Western States and equally dividing the Middle States, had by its great act won national confidence, gained the political support of all but two of the States and laid the foundation for national greatness. In this great national work, can it be denied that the South was the leading factor?
The following table shows the electoral vote in 1804:
 | A table should appear at this position in the text. See Help:Table for formatting instructions. |
STATES.
PRESIDENT.
ViCK-PRESIDEXT.
C.C. Pinekney.
New Hampshire . .
Massachusetts .
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Vermont
New York . . .
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland . ...
Virginia
North Carolina..
South Carolina. ..
Georgia
Tennessee
Kentucky
Ohio ....
Total
