SALEM REGISTER, Massachusetts, Nov. 3, 1803

• Historic Louisiana Purchase
• Expansion of the United States

Beginning on the front page is the complete text of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty with the two conventions, a small portion carrying over to page 2.
As noted in the National Archives website, the Louisiana Purchase was an agreement by which the United States acquired the entire Louisiana territory—over 828,000 square miles—from France. It consisted of three separate parts: a treaty of cession and two conventions providing for the exchange of money.
On October 20, 1803 the Senate ratified the purchase thus doubling the size of the United States and making land available west of the Mississippi River for American exploration and expansion.
The first convention between America and France specified the financial aspects of the Treaty. The second convention of the Treaty further explained the financial matters associated with the purchase of Louisiana & established deadlines for payment.
An extremely historic document in American history contained in full within this single newspaper. We have often found that the full text, being quite lengthy, carried over to subsequent issues in other titles.
Four pages, scattered foxing, nice condition.

Background: The November 3, 1803 issue of the Salem Register stands out as an extraordinary primary source document because it contains the complete text of the Louisiana Purchase Treaty and both of its accompanying conventions within a single four-page edition, a rare printing feat given that most contemporary newspapers split the extensive text across multiple issues. Printed just two weeks after the United States Senate ratified the treaty on October 20, 1803, this issue provided coastal Massachusetts readers with immediate access to the foundational agreement that doubled the nation's size by acquiring over 828,000 square miles from France. Beyond the main Treaty of Cession transferring sovereignty, the newspaper faithfully rendered both financial conventions: the first detailing the creation of $11.25 million in 6% U.S. stock to fund the purchase, and the second establishing payment deadlines while outlining the U.S. assumption of up to $3.75 million in French debts owed to American citizens.