Jefferson's Argumentative Analysis
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The constitution was created to define the various powers of government, including the powers given to the President. Jefferson technically did not follow strict construction of the Constitution when he pursued the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. In fact, the Constitution did not grant the government the power to buy foreign lands and to integrate them into the Union. Jefferson acknowledged this issue in his letter to John Breckinridge: “The constitution has made no provision for our holding foreign territory, still less for incorporating foreign nations into our Union.” Jefferson then proposed to both the House and Senate that they approve an act that would allow the United States to purchase foreign land. To Jefferson, this proposition