Mr.Benjamin brought his eminent legal ability to the discussion, but failed even to satisfy himself.

The State of Louisiana was formed from territory which had been bought and paid for by the United States out of the common treasury of the whole people.

Whatever specious plea might be made for the independent and separate sovereignty of the old thirteen States, the argument could not apply to Louisiana.

No one could maintain that Louisiana had ever enjoyed a separate sovereignty of any kind, nominal or real.

She had been originally owned by France, had been sold to Spain, had been sold back again to France, and had been bought by the United States.