How many U.S. Senators voted against the 1803 Louisiana Purchase Treaty?

The United States Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase Treaty with a vote of twenty-four (24) to seven (7) on October 20, 1803. The Senators who voted against the treaty were: Simeon Olcott and William Plumer of New Hampshire, William Wells and Samuel White of Delaware, James Hillhouse and Uriah Tracy of Connecticut, and Timothy Pickering of Massachusetts.

The key opposition to the Louisiana Purchase was primarily economic self-interest by influential men from the New England part of the country. There was not any legitimate concern over constitutionality or whether France indeed owned Louisiana or was required to sell it back to Spain should it desire to dispose of the territory.

U.S. North Easterners were not enthusiastic about Western farmers gaining another outlet for their crops, and the farmers would not be require the use of the ports of New England. Also, many North Easterners were land speculators in upstate New York and New England and were hoping to sell land to farmers, who might now go west instead as a result of the Louisiana Purchase. Also, they feared that this would lead to Western states being formed, which would likely dilute the political power of prominent New England politicians.

Ultimately, the U.S. Congress made temporary provisions to control the Louisiana territory and authorized the President to use military forces to maintain order. Plans were also made for the Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore and chart the territory.