To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1806 (Abstract)
From William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1806 (Abstract)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 20 May 1806, New Orleans. “Mr. John F. Merriult,1 a Merchant of this City proposes to visit Madrid with a view of obtaining payment of a debt due him by the Government of Spain.
“The claim of Mr. Merriult is considerable; and under an impression that the interference of the American Minister would be favorable to his interest, he proposes to ask of you a letter of introduction to our minister at that court, and lest you may not be acquainted with the merits of Mr. Merriult, I take pleasure to inform you, that he is a useful and worthy Citizen of this Territory; he has resided many years in this City; and is the Head of an amiable family. He is at this time extensively engaged in commerce—and unites to the character of an enterprising merchant, that of an honest man.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, vol. 8). 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner.
1. New Orleans merchant and slave trader John Francis (Jean-François) Merieult (1756–1818) served as justice of the peace and had been recommended by Claiborne as a possible candidate for the legislative council (Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly 32 [Fall, 2015]: 20); , Orleans, 9:318, 599).