To: 
From: "Vern Humphrey" 
Reply-To: r_catholic-l{at}yahoogroups.com

To: Michael D Brazier [mailto:mdbrazier{at}juno.com]
> >
> > 1.  It would have explored the territory (recall the discoveries the
> > French made during Napoleon's abortive mission to Egypt?)
>
> The French knew there were discoveries to be made in Egypt
> before Napoleon's expedition began.  Napoleon took a host
> of scholars with him for just that reason.  Napoleon had no such
> expectations from Louisiana, so why would a French army have
> explored the territory?

It is precisely that "no such expectations" that I would fault
him for.  A great deal of information about Louisiana was avaliable to him,
had he bothered to look for it.

> > 2.  It would have developed the territory.  To do the things armies
> > must do -- move and communicate, it would have had to improve
> > roads, dredge rivers, and so on.
>
> But that begs the question: what's the point of making a territory
> more defensible, if you don't see anything about the territory
> that's worth defending?

it is the not "see anything about the territory that's worth
defending" that marks his shortsightedness.

Because you cannot deny that the Louisiana territory WAS a rich land --
potentially far richer than all of France, and soon actually richer.


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Where Catholic Singles Go Online - StRaphael.net is the world's #1 website
for single Catholics. If you are looking for friendship, marriage or even a
religious vocation, StRaphael.cnet is the place to be. Join Today Free!
www.StRaphael.net
http://us.click.yahoo.com/r_NezC/1M1FAA/EDtLAA/28VolB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Visit R_Catholic-L member homepages at: http://home.cox.rr.com/rraphael
http://rcatholic-l.freeservers.com
http://hometown.aol.com/philvaz
http://www.lisaslighthouse.org
http://members.aol.com/SisterNeri/


Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

--- BBBS/NT v4.00 MP