The Historic New Orleans Collection.
The Louisiana Purchase required "delicate diplomacy" to convince France to sell only the port of New Orleans to the United States. When France decided to sell all of the Louisiana Territory, Amerian diplomats jumped on the opportunity. However, Congress debated over the legality of the purchase, because there was no Constitutional Authority for the president to buy the land. Congress also debated the lack of territorial boundaries, the issue of slavery, and citizenship.
François, marquis de Barbé-Marbois (standing), showing a map to Robert Livingston (centre) and James Monroe in Cession of Louisiana, fresco by Constantino Brumidi, 1875; in the Senate wing of the U.S. Capitol. Architect of the Capitol..