April 14—The Naturalization Laws, made very stringent in the last administration to correspond with a state of war, were liberalized.
April 30—An act authorizing the formation of a State Constitution in Ohio, preparatory to its admission into the Union, is passed.
May 3—Washington, D. C., incorporated as a city.
Oct. 16—Commerce on the Mississippi by American citizens, suspended by the Spanish authorities at New Orleans.
It became evident that the possession of the Mississippi River and territory near it was of the highest importance to the welfare of the West, and measures looking toward the acquisition of it began to be taken.
A large reduction was made this year in the public debt, and the policy of economy in public expenditure became a leading feature of the administration.
1803.
March 3—The anxiety of the people in regard to the navigation of the Mississippi leads Congress to invest the President with extraordinary authority to negotiate, or use force, in his discretion. He was authorized to call on the States to furnish 80,000 men, if need be.
April 30—A treaty is concluded with Napoleon Bonaparte for the purchase of the whole of the Louisiana Territory for $15,000,000.
Aug. 13—By a treaty with the Kaskaskia Indians a large part of Illinois is opened to settlement.