Thomas Jefferson sent several men in 1803,

To buy some land from the French, if not a city.

New Orleans was the place they were bargaining for,

But the French came up trumps, giving them so much more,

New Orleans was secured, the French wouldd agree,

Thus doubling the size of this young country.

Louisiana amounted to 15 odd states,

A fact that a Frenchman now probably hates,

But the price of the land? $15 million or so,

A fortune indeed, especially that long ago.