An Arduous Acquisition: The Incorporation of West Florida into the American Union, 1803-1819.

The article provides a history of the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory by the U.S. from First Consul Napoleon Bonaparte of France and the incorporation of West Florida into the American Union from 1803 to 1819. Topics discussed include economic and political advancement of Americans as they moved to the territory, revolt instigated by the Kemper brothers against the Spanish regime, and constitution drafted by West Floridians to address the lack of laws that protected property and slavery.