RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 8 Sep. and “lre to Pichon on change of govmt in France. Fr. depredns” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Madison to Louis André Pichon, 3 Sep., acknowledging the receipt of Pichon’s letter of 25 Aug. and other documents relative to the change in form of the French government, which Madison has laid before the president; Madison explains that a blank letter of credence had been sent to John Armstrong before receiving formal notification of the change in order to prevent delays in the succession of the new U.S. minister to France; this precaution reflects “the readiness of the U. States to respect the right of every nation to give to its Government the form deemed most correspondent with its situation & its happiness, and the desire of the President to maintain” good relations between the two nations; the president is also pleased to learn that there can be a continuation of communication “in the accustomed form” until formal notice is received (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:16). (2) Probably William C. C. Claiborne to Madison, New Orleans, 25 July; reports on pro-Spanish views of inhabitants west of the Mississippi River; the Marqués de Casa Calvo continues to “style himself Commissioner of his Catholic Majesty” and Claiborne again requests instructions as to what to do about it (same, 7:520-1). (3) Probably Claiborne to Madison, New Orleans, 25 July, enclosing a 13 July letter to him from Edward D. Turner, the military commander at Natchitoches, forwarding a deposition by John B. T. Palliet stating that Spain has issued a royal decree authorizing its officials “to use every means to reduce, weaken and ruin the adjoining Country belonging to the Americans,” including the encouragement of slave desertions; Turner has received information that Spanish forces are planning an assault on Natchitoches; Claiborne discounts these reports, but will instruct Turner to prepare the militia in his district and will send ammunition; if a rupture with Spain takes place, Claiborne believes that Spanish troops from Pensacola may threaten New Orleans (same, 521-2). (4) Probably Claiborne to Madison, New Orleans, 30 July, responding to Madison’s letters of 19 and 26 June regarding petitions of Peter Pedesclaux, Louis de Clouet, and John Devereux DeLacy (same, 331, 373-4, 542-3; see also Claiborne to TJ, 27 Apr., and DeLacy to TJ, 23 May). (5) Probably Claiborne to Madison, New Orleans, 1 Aug., providing additional information on the French privateer Eugene and its prizes, the American brig Mary and the British brig Active, about which Claiborne had written more than two months earlier; the prizes were taken after leaving Jamaica and then disguised as merchant vessels flying French and Spanish colors; the cargo of the Mary was landed and the vessel burned; the Active arrived at New Orleans as the Hector from Saint-Domingue; Evan Jones took consignment of the cargo and offered it for sale before the fraud was discovered; Claiborne has seized the Active and will hold it awaiting orders; he encloses 16 depositions regarding the affair (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:547-9; see also Notes on Dispatches from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 July). (6) Probably Claiborne to Madison, New Orleans, 4 Aug., providing additional details and papers regarding the French privateer and its prizes; Claiborne has ordered the cargo of the Active placed in storage and detained the Eugene, its owner, Joseph Dumas, and its captain, L’Oiseau, until the case of the Mary is fully explained; the Spanish are said to possess the cargo of the Mary, and Claiborne will request that the proceeds not be appropriated until the brig’s owners can submit their claim (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:548n, 558-60). (7) Probably Claiborne to Madison, New Orleans, 4 Aug., enclosing dispatches from Turner at Natchitoches regarding the recent visit by a delegation of Caddo Indians and their displeasure at not receiving gifts; Turner also sent reports that the Spanish are strengthening their post at Los Adaes; Claiborne adds that the Caddos are a small tribe located “about 80 or 100 leagues” from Natchitoches and that they have about 300 to 400 warriors; he will invite a delegation to visit New Orleans; Claiborne estimates that the post at Los Adaes is no more than “10 or 15 leagues” from Natchitoches (same, 560-1; see also Claiborne to TJ, 30 Aug.).