To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1806 (Abstract)
From William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1806 (Abstract)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 28 May 1806, New Orleans. “I pray you to lay before the President of the United States, the inclosed letters from Messrs. Destréhan and Sauvé, resigning their Seats in the Legislative Council; together with copies of my answers thereto.1 Colonel Bellechasse had also written his letter of resignation—but has since been induced not to forward it.
“The services of an ancient Louisianian in the Legislature cannot with any certainty be calculated on. Few are disposed to make any sacrifice of private interest for the Public Good.”
RC and enclosures (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, vol. 8); letterbook copy (Ms–Ar: Claiborne Executive Journal, vol. 16). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner. Letterbook copy dated 26 May. For enclosures, see n. 1.
1. The enclosures (4 pp.; in English and French; docketed by Wagner as enclosed in Claiborne’s 28 May 1806 letter) are copies of (1) Pierre Sauvé to Claiborne, 21 May 1806, stating that because of his health, family concerns needing settlement, and other reasons he would be resigning from the territorial council at the end of the current session; (2) Jean Noël Destréhan to Claiborne, 24 May 1806, stating that his poor health caused him to resign as a member of the council; (3) Claiborne to Sauvé, 26 May 1806 (printed in , 3:308–9), stating that he would transmit Sauvé’s letter to Jefferson, that he believed the resignation would not be official until the president had received and acknowledged the letter, and that he would also forward a copy to the House of Representatives so they could determine what measures to take to supply the vacancy; and (4) Claiborne to Destréhan, 26 May 1806 (printed ibid., 308), stating much the same.