In a message dated 6/18/2003 7:13:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time, dks28@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: << Well, the French didn't approach us about the Louisiana Purchase and = propose a sale. Napoleon was in the middle of a war and needed money. He had = plans for the Americas and didn't really want to sell, but the desire to = conquer Europe won out. >> He could have always sold to the Russians, before he screwed up in winter like everyone else. They briefly laid claim to Oregon. Our relationship with France has benefited us like no other.