11To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 February 1802, Natchez. Encloses copies of his 29 Jan. letter to General Wilkinson and Wilkinson’s reply. Hopes the request he made of the general was not improper but fears the peace of the territory is precarious, “surrounded as it is, by numerous Indian Tribes, and with a Population of Negroes, nearly equal to the number of Whites, … and it seemed to me advisable, to have the Spare Arms...
12To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and Thomas B. Robertson, 19 March 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 March 1810, New Orleans. The resignation of Philip Grymes as U.S. attorney for the Orleans district has created a vacancy, which must be filled by “a Citizen of competent talents, and correct principles.” They recommend “Tully Robinson (late of Virginia) who has resided in this Territory about twelve months.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1809–17, filed under “Robinson”). 1 p. Printed in Carter,...
13To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 17 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
The case of the Batture has given rise to a warm Newspaper discussion, which for the present seems wholly to engage the public Mind. New-Orleans has so long been the residence of the Governor of the Territory, that the Inhabitants of that City, or rather some of them, think me culpable in taking a short excursion into the Country. But I am persuaded the President will not object to my retiring...
14To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1804, New Orleans. “I received on this morning an answer to my letter of the 25th instant to the Marquis of Casa Calvo, and having procured a translation thereof, for my own use, I now enclose you the original Copy . “The answer of the Marquis developes in part the views of his court in relation to Louisiana; every exertion has been and will be made to conciliate and perpetuate the...
15To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1801, Natchez. Reports his arrival on 23 Nov. after a journey made unduly difficult and dangerous by low rivers and high winds. Describes the land on the Mississippi as “pretty well adapted to Cultivation” but notes that “this extensive Country has been greatly forsaken, or rather, neglected by man,” there being only three small settlements on the Spanish side between the mouth of...
16To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Letter is from the Lady Abbess of the Ursuline Convent, And in compliance with her particular request, I have the honor to transmit it to you. I avail myself of this occasion to Accompany the expression of my sincere pleasure at your elevation to the Presidential Chair, with my best Wishes for the honor, the happiness and the prosperity of your Administration. I have the honor to...
17To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 November 1805, New Orleans. “I enclose you a copy of the answer which the House of Representatives have returned to my address, You will perceive that it is respectful and friendly. I am happy to find that nothing of party spirit has yet been manifested, and I indulge a hope that the Members generally will pursue a conduct which will be approved. “Believing...
18To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
The tranquillity in which I found this province is uninterrupted: and every appearance promises a continuation of it. This is the season of festivity here; and I am pleased to find that the Change of government gives additional spirit to the public amusements. It gives me great satisfaction to learn from every side the favorable inclinations of the people; and their confidence in the justice...
19To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
It is my duty to advise you that slaves escaping from the Territory of the United States to the Province of Taxus, receive the protection of the Spanish Agents, and to suggest the very serious injury which is likely to result therefrom to the Inhabitants of the Territory of Orleans. The enclosure No. 1 is a Copy of a Presentment of a Grand Jury upon this subject, and that No 2 of a Letter...
20To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 26 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
26 March 1805, New Orleans . “I am Honored with the receipt of your Letter of the 25th Ultimo, and shall be particularly attentive to its contents. The Marquis of Casa Calvo is yet in this City, and I believe contemplates remaining for Some time; there at present exists between the Marquis and myself a friendly intercourse, and I shall embrace an early opportunity to make to him the...
21To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 9 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 9 January 1806, New Orleans. “Mr. James Mather, late a Member of the Legislative Council, and now the Judge for the County of la Fourche, writes me under date of the 2d. of January, as follows: ‘The Marquis Casa Calvo remained in this settlement at least 15 days, during which time he principally employed himself in persuading the people—that all this side of the...
22To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1804, New Orleans. “The contents of your private letter gave me great pleasure; the permanent residence of Moralis in Louisiana, I should greatly regret.… “The Marquis De Casa Calvo is the enemy of Moralis, and a hint from me to the Marquis, that Moralis’s removal from Louisiana, would be agreeable, will (I believe) effect the object. “Moralis is a sensible, intrigueing, designing,...
23To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 30 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 September 1803 , “ Near Natchez .” Advised JM in his letter of 7 Sept. that citizens of the Mississippi Territory were surveying lands west of the Mississippi River “with a view … to obtain fraudulent Titles” from Spain. Encloses a copy of his letter to Clark on this subject and Clark’s answer. “It seems that Captain Vidal has no authority to grant Lands or even to authorise a Location, but...
24To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 January 1805, New Orleans. “I now enclose you the Correspondence between the Marquis of Casa Calvo and myself, upon the Subject of his Guard. I had not considered this Guard as an object of serious concern; it was small and for Some time did not seem to excite disquietude among the Citizens. “I was certainly impressed with an opinion that the Marquis could not maintain his Guard as a Matter...
25To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 12 February 1806, New Orleans. “Captain Ross returned to this City on this morning—and I now enclose for your perusal, a copy of his Report to me.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, TP , Orleans, vol. 8). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner. For enclosure, see n. 1. The enclosure (3 pp.; docketed by Wagner; printed in Carter,...
26To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 February 1804, New Orleans. “The citizens of Louisiana passing by water to the United States or to Europe, have requested of me passports or letters of protection. No instructions having been given me on this subject, I have acted with some reluctance; but upon the exercise of my best judgment I thought the request was reasonable, and have given to such applicant an instrument of writing,...
27To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 31 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 31 October 1805, New Orleans. “In consequence of the embarrassments to which the Commerce of the United States is exposed by the exaction of heavy duties at the Town of Mobile; the various reports which have reached me of the Hostile disposition of the Spaniards, and of the War-like preparations at Pensacola and at other places in the vicinity of this Territory,...
28To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 6 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
6 February 1805, New Orleans . “The Press in this City is indeed becoming licentious; it even menaces the tranquility of private life, but hitherto the Executive of the Territory has been the principal object of abuse. I am happy However to add, that the Louisianians have no concern in the abusive publications, and very generally disapprove of them. The discontented party are composed...
29To 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...
30To 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...
31To 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...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To 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...
35To 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...
36To 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...
37To 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.;...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...