To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 October 1806 (Abstract)
From William C. C. Claiborne, 8 October 1806 (Abstract)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 October 1806, New Orleans. “I returned to this City on the Evening of the 6th Instant, and am happy to believe that the Public Interest has sustained no injury by my long absence. My Private Secretary Major Richard Claiborne who had charge of the Secretary’s Office, was very attentive to his duties, and from the State in which I find the Office, I have abundant reason to applaud his conduct.
“My Official communications to the Secretary at War (the contents of which I presume are made known to you) will have informed you of the Aspect of affairs at Natchitoches.1 The Spanish Army (at the last accounts) continued at the Bayou Pierre, and General Wilkinson was making arrangements to advance towards the disputed Territory. I think a conflict a very probable event, and am persuaded the issue will be most favorable to the American Arms.
“A defeat would be most unfortunate, for in this event, the Counties west of the Mississippi would fall a sacrafice, and the Invaders might (if they wished it) March with rapidity to New Orleans. Impressed therefore with the importance of the Post of Natchitoches I have esteemed it my duty to give the General every possible support, and with this view I have advised the immediate marching from this place to Natchitoches of one Hundred regular Troops. There is at present in this City a great share of apathy, but I will endeavour to awaken a Military Spirit, and Shall make every provision in my power for the general Safety. Our neighbours at Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola continue quiet.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, vol. 8); letterbook copy (Ms-Ar: Claiborne Executive Journal, vol. 16). RC 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner as received 17 Nov.
1. Claiborne wrote Henry Dearborn on 4 Sept. 1806, conveying copies of his ongoing correspondence with Simon de Herrera, commander of the Spanish force that had crossed the Sabine River. He reported on the condition of the Spanish troops encamped at Bayou Pierre; stated his opinion that the invasion had been ordered by local Spanish leaders and not the government in Spain; and informed Dearborn that he had prepared territorial militia to march immediately, since he did not know what orders had been given to Brig. Gen. James Wilkinson, commander of the U.S. forces in the region. He opined that the U.S. government would lose the respect of the French inhabitants of Orleans Territory if it did not drive the Spanish back, which could easily be done, and that cavalry was necessary to defend the territory in the event of war. On 18 Sept., Claiborne informed Dearborn that he still had no official word on plans for the use of U.S. troops in response to the crisis. On 8 Oct. 1806 he reported that more than 500 militiamen from the “Frontier Counties” of Orleans Territory had marched for Natchitoches, that one hundred U.S. troops stationed in New Orleans would do the same, and that he would replace them with New Orleans militia despite lack of enthusiasm for his measures in the city. He added that disaffection towards the U.S. government in New Orleans was allegedly being fomented by “Father Antoine” (Antonio de Sedella), a “seditious Priest” whom Claiborne planned to keep under surveillance (, 3:396–99, 4:7–8, 25–26). For Sedella, see Claiborne to JM, 18 Mar. 1805, 9:147–48 and n. 3.