2821To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 6 July 1805, New Orleans. “On the third Instant the Legislative Council was pror[o]gued Sine die, and I have the Honor to enclose for your perusal a Copy of a Short address which I made on the occasion. Perhaps you will perceive on my part a greater share of feeling than ought to have been manifested; but the late State of party here was Such, that I could not...
2822To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 13 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 July 1804, New Orleans. “The Memorial to Congress, of which I have lately Spoken in several of my official letters, is in circulation, and has obtained many signatures. I have seen one sheet of the original manuscript; it is in the hand writing of Edward Livingston, and the whole was no doubt written by that gentleman, by and with the advice of Daniel Clark and Evan Jones. “The Memorial is...
2823To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 7 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
Messrs. Daniel Clark, Workman, Kerr, Powers, Daversac & others are very intimate, and, actively employed in exciting opposition to the General and local Administrations. Clark (with the assistance of his friends) is writing a Book, the principal object of which, probably will be, to ruin General Wilkinson, and risque his (Clark’s) Character, from the injurious suspicions, which at present...
2824To 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...
2825To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 June 1804, New Orleans. “I have the Honour to enclose you an estimate of the expense which will attend the support of the Government of the Orleans Territory for one year ensuing the 1st of October next. “The Council being appointed by the President, and their ⅌ diem allowance fixed by a Law of Congress, I have supposed their pay would be drawn from the Treasury of the United States; but I...
2826To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
Captain Turner, the commanding officer at Fort Adams has just arrived. He tells me that by letters from General Wilkinson dated at Pensacola on the 27th of last month, he learns that in three days the General was to set out from that place by the way of New Orleans for Fort Adams, and would probably arrive there on to morrow. Captain Turner adds that all the troops at Fort Adams in sufficient...
2827To 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...
2828To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1804, New Orleans. “A Letter I have just received from Captain Turner the Commandant at Natchitoches informs of the return to that Post of certain Negroes that had escaped to Nacogdoches: The recent conduct of the Spanish Authorities on the occasion is such as I could wish, and may in some measure be attributed to the prompt interference of the Marquis of Casa Calvo. “The News from...
2829To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 April 1804, New Orleans. “I now enclose you the answer of the Marquis De Casa Calvo to my letter of the 28th ultimo. Having obtained for my own use a translation of the Marquis’s letter and the documents accompanying it, I have forwarded to you, the originals.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, TP , Orleans, vol. 4); letterbook copy ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal, vol. 13). RC 1 p.;...
2830To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1804, New Orleans. “The Treaty ceding Louisiana to Spain in 1762 and her act of acceptance I have not been able to meet with among any of the records in this City. In the Archives of the Cabildo (now in possession of the Municipality) I find no traces of any events prior to the arrival of General O’Reilly. “The proceedings of the Supreme Council of New Orleans (under the Government of...
2831To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 7 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 December 1803, Fort Adams. “Yesterday evening and until about noon this day we had so heavy a fall of rain as greatly to retard our embarkation. The General however expects that we shall be able to proceed in the course of tomorrow. “I understand that there is a small corps of rifle men on their way hither from Jefferson County. But I should Suppose that the volunteers already here together...
2832To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 9 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 August 1804, New Orleans. “In the District of Atakapas where party feuds and much general disquietude prevailed on our taking possession of this Province, I have the pleasure to inform you that the most perfect good order now exists, this favorable change is attributed in some degree to the conduct of a very young but I believe a very deserving young officer of the name of Hopkins, who...
2833To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 13 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
A Mail from Washington, by the way of Fort Stoddart arrived on this morning, but has brought me no official Communications. Mr. Julien Poydras, (who is avowedly friendly to the General and local Administration) has been elected by the Territorial Legislature a Delegate to Congress, for the ensuing two years; Doctor Watkins, was the candidate in opposition & is understood here, to have received...
2834To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 November 1802, Natchez. Encloses “an Original Copy of a Communication (together with a translation thereof)” received “this morning” from the governor general of Louisiana, in answer to Claiborne’s 28 Oct. letter. Letterbook copy and copy of enclosure ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal); Tr ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 7A-D1); Tr of enclosure ( DLC : Jefferson Papers)....
2835To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1809, New Orleans. His official letters to Gallatin will give details of the rascality of William Brown, the local customs collector who has absconded with a large sum of public money. The office thus vacated is lucrative, and the collector can reside a mile from the city during the summer so that “he may calculate on enjoying health.” Sounded out Benjamin Morgan to see if he would...
2836To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you, a copy of Some Resolutions which have been adopted by the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of this Territory, in consequence of my message of the 10th. Instant. You will perceive by these documents, that the power of suspending the privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus, is supposed not be vested in the Territorial Legislature; an opinion which...
2837To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1804, New Orleans. “On the 19th. instant, a Duel was to have been fought between a French Citizen, and a British Subject, who are temporarily residing in this City: by some means, however, this affair of Honor did not take place, but on the same day, the French-man was can[e]’d by the Englishman in the Streets, and, this Circumstance had very nearly produced on Yesterday, some...
2838To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 October 1804, New Orleans. “I have the honor to introduce to your acquaintance Messrs. Derbigney, Sauve, and Detrahan, and to request that you would be so obliging as to present them to the President. These Gentlemen have been selected by many of their fellow Citizens to bear a Memorial to Congress, which treats upon subjects interesting to Louisiana, and to make such explanations as may be...
2839To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 30 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 May 1804, New Orleans. “I was honored on last evening with the receipt of your letter of the 1st. Instant. “I consider peace as the greatest of national blessings, and there is nothing I should more lament than to see my country involved in war with any of the European powers. The formal recession therefore of the King of Spain from his objections to the transfer of Louisiana to the United...
2840To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
The letter from the American Commissioners will inform you that we are now in possession of this City; and I hasten to inform you of the measures which I have taken as Governor of Louisiana. A proclamation of which the enclosed is a copy was issued by me immediately after the surrender of the province. You will observe that it is silent concirning the Militia (a subject deeply interesting to...
2841To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 10 August 1805, New Orleans . “I now transmit you a Copy of the Marquis’s answer (marked No 1) to my Letter of the 3rd. Inst. You will perceive Sir, that Morales has authority to continue his Sales in West Florida; that he contemplates residing in this City, and proposes to issue Official orders from hence , as Intendant of East and West Florida . I consider a...
2842To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
The special messenger whom I despatched to New Orleans on the 18th instant, returned this evening, and brought with him the enclosed communications from Mr Clark and M. Laussat. The French officer, M. Landais, whose arrival at New Orleans was so much wished for by the Prefect, passed thro’ Natchez three days ago; And I presume that, before this time, he has placed in the hands of the French...
2843To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 November 1804, New Orleans. “On yesterday I received a letter from the Deputy Collector of which the enclosd No 1 is a Copy, informing of the arrival in the Mississippi of a vessell with a number of Frenchmen onboard, who had captured Said vessell on the high seas under particular circumstances. “I determined that under the Treaty, it would be improper to permit this vessell to find an...
2844To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 September 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 September 1804, New Orleans. “I enclose for your perusal a late Letter to me from the Marquis of Casa Calvo, relative to the Insurrection in West Florida, together with a Copy of my Answer thereto. “ The Marquis has considerable Influence among the old Inhabitants of this Province, and being on that account particularly desirous that a good understanding between us should exist, I have...
2845To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 6 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
6 June 1805, New Orleans . “I pray you to lay before the President of the United States, the enclosed Correspondence (from No. 1 to number 11, inclusive) between the Honorable Judge Hall, Colonel Freeman and myself upon the Subject of appropriating a Public Building to the use of the District Court. You will perceive from the correspondence, that the only Building of the United States...
2846To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 5 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
5 April 1805, New Orleans . “A Late letter from Captain Turner of Natchitoches contains the following Paragraph, ‘I fear the return of the Negroes who had escaped to Nacogdoches will not remedy the evil; the Commandant who restored them has been arrested for so doing, and his Successor has positive orders to carry the Royal Decree concerning fugitive Slaves into effect; my informant is a...
2847To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 4 December 1805, New Orleans. “I have had no late intelligence from Mr. Graham; it is probable he has met with some detention at Pensacola, for it is (I presume) well known to you, that dispatch in business is not a trait in the spanish character. “I am sorry to inform you that much confusion exists in the County of Atachapas; the Citizens in that quarter are...
2848To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 January 1802, Natchez. Reports that “nothing very interesting” has occurred since his letter of 20 Dec. Territorial legislature transacts business slowly, but with care and prudence. “Political disquietude is nearly exiled,” and the judiciary is the sole subject of popular discontent. Regrets that territorial Supreme Court is “so deficient in Law Knowledge.” The chief justice “was...
2849To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 March 1804, New Orleans. “The northern mail arrived on last evening, but brought me no official letters from the Seat of Government. “Perfect tranquility continues to prevail here; but really the burdens of the temporary Government are at present peculiarly hard upon me; and are becoming more so every day. “I am compelled to exercise more authority than I had contemplated. I fear my Decrees...
2850To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 December 1803, Fort Adams. “I am still at this place. An embarkation is talked of tomorrow; but so many preparatory arrangements yet remain to be performed that I much fear a longer delay. Our militia were mustered this evening and amount to about 200. I wish for myself, no greater force, in addition to the regular troops, and I presume that, in this opinion, the General will accord. The...