Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/100

80 This, from a man whose cannon balls invariably followed his dispatches, was too much for the Prince of Peace. He had the deed made without delay, and delivered, as agreed, in the greatest secrecy. Needless to add that the Duke of Parma never got his kingdom, and that the other promise was never even noticed thereafter.

Napoleon then notified Decrès, his Minister of Marine, that his intention was to take possession of Louisiana in the shortest possible time, and gave orders as follows:

"Let me know the number of men you think necessary, both infantry and artillery. Present me a plan for organizing the colony, both military and civil, for works, fortifications, etc. Make a map of the coast from St. Augustine to Mexico, and a geographical description of the different counties of Louisiana, with resources of each."

He then sent 10,000 men and a famous general to subdue the Island of Santo Domingo for a base and, as we have seen, began