The treaty giving away in full possession and forever Louisiana to the United States, allowing them to spread without meeting any foreign neighbors from one ocean to the other, adding fourteen States to the original thirteen, was signed one hundred years ago, “au nom du peuple Francais” in the year XI of the French Republic.  The results have passed the most sanguine hopes, but they have not gone beyond the extent of our friendly wishes for the sister Republic of America.  The representative of France comes to this spot that was French in former times with a feeling of admiration for what you have done, and no feeling of regret.  He sees splendid development, arts, sciences, trade, and agriculture equally prosperous; he applauds your success, and expresses from his heart his good wishes for your grand exhibition of next year.

As for his own country, if she no longer holds those immense domains, she has, on the other hand, found other territories for the peaceful employment of her inexhaustible energy, with results which will forever redound to the praise of the Government of the Republic.  And as for Louisiana itself, France rests satisfied with remembering that she could not have more friendly nor more sympathetic intentions.  She remembers also, not without pride, that her sons first discovered and tilled the soil, first described it, and first drew a map of it; that one of her most famous writers first revealed to the world the springs of poetry that lay concealed as much under the fir trees of the Mississippi Valley as under the plane trees of Tempe; the diplomat and literary artist who made all those who had a mind and heart weep for the fate of Atala.

Seeing the results, my countrymen have never ceased to approve of the treaty signed a hundred years ago “au nom de peuple Francais.”  Eighteen hundred and three is the third memorable date in the relations between France and America.  In giving the United States, according to the words of your negotiator, its place among the greatest powers in the world, 1803 did nothing but perfect what had been gloriously begun in 1778 and 1783.

Sixth.  Music by the Marine Band, playing the Spanish “Himno de Riego.”

Seventh.  Address by the Spanish minister, Senor de Ojeda: 

MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:  I greatly regret my inability to respond to the very flattering recognition of the part played by Spain in the early history of this territory.  I wish I were endowed with the same eloquence displayed by previous orators, which it has been our privilege to listen to and admire.  Still, had not the national glories of Spain been so brilliantly alluded to, were I able to recall them now with colors as glowing as the warmth their memory brings to my Spanish heart, I feel I could not raise to them