91To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 15 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 15 June 1806, New Orleans. “I have this moment held a conversation, with a gentleman of respectability from the County of Appalousas. He represents that a considerable emigration is about to take place from that County to the Spanish settlement on the river Trinity, where great encouragement is given to settlers. “The Gentleman adds, that the ancient inhabitants...
92To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed are the names of the Gentlemen recommended as Councillors to supply the vacancies occasioned by the resignations of J N Destrehan and P. Sauvé. Mr. Mather is an Englishman by Birth; but has acted in this Territory the part of an American. He was a member of the first Legislative Council, and merits, in my opinion a continuance of your confidence. Mr. La Croix is a frenchman by Birth,...
93To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 June 1806, New Orleans. “On yesterday the legislature of this Territory adjourned sine die. Previous to the adjournment, a Committee composed of the President of the Council, and Speaker of the House of Representatives attended the Executive for the purpose of enquiring whether he had any further communications to make to the two Houses. To this Committee I...
94To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Roebelt, who has been appointed United States Factor for the Post of Nachetoches, is now in this City. He is awaiting at this place, his instructions, and seems at this time to be uninformed as to the duties which are expected of him. In his Commission he is named the Factor for the Post of Nachetoches, and it would seem therefrom that his agency would be confined solely to the management...
95To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Major William Nott of Louisiana a native Citizen of the United States and President of the New Orleans Insurance Company, having understood that the Office of Consul for the United States at the Port of Bordeaux, in France would soon become vacant, has solicited me to name him to you as a Candidate for the honor of that appointment. I feel no hesitation in representing Major Nott as meriting...
96To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 3 June 1806, New Orleans. “I inclose for your perusal a copy of a Manifesto addressed to the People of the Territory and signed by certain members of the legislative Council, and of the House of Representatives. “That this Publication will raise the popular sentiment in favor of the Signers, is perhaps probable; but I am persuaded its effects will soon pass...
97To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 28 May 1806, New Orleans. “On yesterday the House of Representatives rejected the resolution of the Council mentioned in my letter of the 26th.; and on this day the two Houses are dispatching business with dispatch and concord. “The Resolution of the Council was passed without reflection, and was evidently the result of passion. As far as I can learn the public...
98To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ 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. Colonel Bellechasse had also written his letter of resignation—but has since been induced not to forward it. “The services of...
99To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 26 May 1806, New Orleans. “I this day rejected the Bill, of which a copy was inclosed to you in my letter of the 22. instant. This act of mine has given rise to a proceeding no less unexpected than it is unprecedented and exceptionable. The Council have passed a resolution proposing an immediate dissolution of the assembly; assigning for reason—that the Governor...
100To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 22 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 22 May 1806, New Orleans. “I inclose for your perusal a copy of another Act of the legislature which I shall reject. This measure was probably suggested by some of the French lawyers, and has become a favorite measure with the majority in the two houses, its rejection therefore will perhaps excite some discontent; but the course my judgment suggests, must be...
101To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 21 May 1806, New Orleans. “I have yielded to the wishes of Governor Grand Pré, and have permitted Passports to be given to such of the Citizens of the United States as may travel through the settlement of Baton Rouge, and who may apply for Passports at my Office. These Passports are without Seal, and signed by my Private Secretary. This is done in order to save...
102To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Daniel Clark is elected the Delegate to Congress,—the sincere friend to his Country, Doctor Watkins, was supported by the native Citizens of the United States who are in the Legislature,—the votes of the ancient Louisianians were divided between Daniel Clark and Evan Jones. I do not know the course the Delegate may pursue,—he possesses talents, and may if he pleases, be servic’able to the...
103To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 20 May 1806, New Orleans. “Mr. John F. Merriult, 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...
104To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Graham, who visits the United States by your permission, will be enabled to satisfy your enquiries with respect to this Territory—and particularly as it relates to our local politics. On the return of Mr. Graham, which I hope will be in September next, I intreat your permission (unless the state of things here should render my presence necessary) to visit the United States. I should be...
105To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 16 May 1806, New Orleans. “Mr. Graham, who visits the United States by permission of the President, will be enabled to satisfy your enquiries with respect to the state of things in this Territory. Mr. Graham departs with my regret; his attachment to the interest of his country, and his private virtues secured him my friendship, while his good sense and prudent...
106To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 14 May 1806, New Orleans. “The Secretary of the Territory, Mr. Graham, will depart from hence to the United States in a few days; by him I shall write you fully as to the state of things in this quarter. “The Territorial Legislature will I fear do little good during the present session; they are devided, and one party, the strongest, seems to me to be greatly...
107To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 May 1806, New Orleans. “I enclose for your perusal, a copy of a Bill which had passed the two houses of the Legislature; together with a Copy of a message, notifying my disapprobation thereto. “This subject has occasioned much conversation in this place, and is made by some, a ground of complaint against me. As this affair may probably be misrepresented at the...
108To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 29 April 1806, New Orleans. “I am sorry to perceive the divisions which exist in Congress, and particularly among men whose political sentiments were formerly in union, but I have no doubt ⟨but?⟩ that virtuous men and virtuous measures will meet with the support of the Nation. “The personal observations with respect to myself which Mr. Randolph thought proper to...
109To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 16 April 1806, New Orleans. “It is here very generally understood, that the King of Spain has permitted a Settlement on the River Trinity, and established a free Port on the Bay of St: Bernard. The Royal Decree upon this subject is said to be dated in September 1805, and to have been published by the Vice-Roy of Mexico in February last. It is represented to me...
110To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 16 April 1806, New Orleans. “Late accounts from Nachitoches state, that the Spanish Force has been withdrawn from the Sabine, and that the orders given to cross that river and establish a Post near Nachetoches, were countermanded by the Governor General of Taxus; It is probable therefore that, for the present, every thing will remain tranquil on our Frontier....
111To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot hear, without much anxiety, of the great events which are passing in Europe. The whole Continent seems to have acknowledged the superiority of France, and it is probable that England will ultimately submit to the Will of Bounaparte. When Armies are destroyed in a day, and Nations rise and fall in a month,—you will I trust excuse me in expressing my solicitude to hear of the present...
112To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 April 1806, New Orleans. “The inclosed correspondence between Governor Grand Pré and myself deserves your perusal. I am inclined to think there is no foundation for the information communicated by Governor Grand Pré, and I rather suppose it is resorted to as a pretext for his late measures. “I have no recent intelligence from Nachitoches; At the date of my...
113To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to introduce to your acquaintance, Major Fortier, an Inhabitant of this City, and a very useful and worthy member of our Society. Major Fortier has acted as one of my Aid de Camps from the period of my first arrival in this City, to the present day—and I have found in him the character of an active officer, a good american, and an honest amiable young man. With sentiments...
114To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 3 April 1806, New Orleans. “As the situation of this Country is somewhat peculiar, perhaps the subject of the inclosed letters deserves the Consideration of our Government. I am myself at a loss to know why Mr. Deforgues has not put the business upon the footting I proposed to him, or made to me some other proposition than the one contained in his letter. His...
115To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 3 April 1806, New Orleans. “I now enclose you copies of the answers which have been returned by the Council and House of representatives to the Communication which I had the honor to make them on the 25. ultimo. “You will perceive with pleasure the patriotic sentiments of the legislature, and which to me are the more satisfactory because I am persuaded of their...
116To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On yesterday the House of Representatives recommended, as Councillors, Dominique Bouligny, and Julian Poidrass.—Mr. Bouligny is a young man of Sense, and supports an amiable character;—but in my opinion, Mr. Poidrass is the most deserving man in this Territory;—he was President of the late legislative Council, and acquitted himself with great credit;—he has been a uniform friend to the...
117To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 29 March 1806, New Orleans. “The news from Nachetoches is of an unpleasant nature. Spanish troops to the number of four hundred, accompanied by some Indians, are assembled on the Sabine, and threaten to advance and to maintain the same position (near to Nachetoches) from which a Small spanish Guard was lately driven by Captain Turner under the orders of Major...
118To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 27 March 1806, New Orleans. “On the 24. instant, the House of Assembly formed a Quorum; and on the following day I delivered to them an Address, of which the inclosed is a Copy. “I am anxious to learn the real state of affairs between the United States, and foreign nations—and particularly so, as it relates to Spain. The free navigation of the Mobile, by...
119To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My official letters of this date to the Secretaries of State and War will acquaint you with the state of things in this quarter. The general Assembly of this Territory is now in Session.—I anticipate some difficulty with these young Legislators; but I trust we shall harmonize, and that the result of our deliberations will not be unacceptable to the People. I have informed the House of...
120To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 25 March 1806. “I fear the Garrison of Fort Stoddart will experience serious Inconveniences for the want of supplies; Judge Toulmin, who has just arrived from the Tombigby, informs me, that at the period of his Departure, there was at Fort Stoddard, 25 Barrels of flour, 8 Barrles of Beef, & a small quantity of Spirits; he adds that when this is gone, the Troops...