The United States Doesn’t Own the Mississippi River

10-09-10 • The PPJ Gazette

“The navigation of the river Mississippi, from its source to the ocean, shall forever remain free and open to the subjects of Great Britain and the citizens of the United States.” At the time that the Peace Treaty of 1783 was made, the Mississippi River was basically the western border of the new United States of America. The Spanish, the French, and Great Britain were all still vying for the remaining land of the New World. President Thomas Jefferson secured the Louisiana Purchase on April 30, 1803, which concerned Louisiana and all the lands west of the Mississippi River that were in the possession of France. France had no claim on the Mississippi River. Therefore, under Article VI of the Constitution, the Mississippi River remains open to the subjects of Great Britain.