1To 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...
2William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me the honor to introduce to your acquaintance, M r Poidrass , the Delegate from Orleans to the Congress of the United States . M r Poidrass possesses a great share of the esteem and confidence of his fellow Citizens, and has uniformly used his influence in support of the measures of the General Government. As relates to this Territory, there is no one more interested in its welfare...
3William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Colo: Liblong late an Officer in the Spanish service, and one of the most respectable and Antient Inhabitants of this City, I have the honor to enclose for your acceptance, a Tragedy in manuscript, of which the Colonel is himself the Author.—I do not know, that this production as relates to the stile & manner, possesses any peculiar merit; But when we bear in mind, that the...
4To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 June 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your favour of the 24h April has been duly received. The Letter which you addressed to the Lady Abbess of the Ursulines, was immediately transmitted, and in a Note to me acknowledging its receipt, the Ab⟨bess⟩ expresses “the great pleasure, which the assurance of your protection, has afforded herself, & the Community,” and offers a prayer to Heaven, “for the prosperity of a Government, which...
5William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Believing that the discussion which the question as to the right of property in the Batture in front of the Suburb S t Mary , has given rise to, will not be uninteresting to you, I have the pleasure to enclose M r Thierry’s Answer to M r Duponceau ’s last Pamphlet. With the best wishes for your Health & happiness— RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “M r
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...
17 December 1809 , “ Near New Orleans .” Informs JM of the death of his second wife from yellow fever. Requests permission to be absent from his post between May and November or December of next year in order to attend to his accounts and to preserve his health. Believes that the territorial legislature will dispatch “all the public Business” within two months of their meeting in January....
8William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your friendly note of the 30 th of November, enclosing a Letter to a Gentleman at the Arkansaw , which I immediately transmitted.— The Legislature of this Session Territory is now in session, and I have the honor to enclose for your perusal an address which I made to them a few days since.—You will excuse I hope Sir, the Liberty I propose to take with a Letter you did me the favour...
9William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a paper containing a late Report of the Adjutant General of this Territory upon the subject of the militia ; It will shew you the great difficulty which will attend the rendering of that force efficient.— Assured as I am, that in your retirement the welfare of your Country will be most dear to you, I shall do myself the pleasure from time to time, to acquaint...
10William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 1 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In conformity to the request of the Legislative Council & House of Representatives of the Territory of Orleans , I have the honor to transmit you certain Resolutions , expressive of their high sence of “your long, faithful & important public services,” & of their grateful recollection of your interference in the case of the Bature , the preservation of which as a Public Common, is considered...
11To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 March 1810 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you the Names of the ten Citizens, nominated by the House of Representatives of this Territory, for the ensuing Legislative Council, and to furnish you with some information respecting them. Messrs. Thomas Urquhart, Etienne Boré, Jean Noel Destrehan, Manuel Andry & Arnaud Beauvais, are Natives of Louisiana; Messrs. Jean Blanque, Matarin Guerin, Magloire Guishard &...
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, 1 June 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 1 June 1810. Calendared as a one-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
14William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heard with great regret, that you should have been disturbed in your Retirement, by that restless and I fear most unprincipled man Edward Livingston . The Affair of the Batture , has assumed a Shape I had not anticipated; But whatever View of it may be taken, I feel assured (if the principles of immutable Justice should prevail) that the pretensions of Mr Livingston will be found...
15William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the Receipt of your favour of the Instant (which was handed me two days since), I addressed a Letter to the Mayor of New-Orleans , requesting him to Consult M r Moreau Lislet , as to the powers of the former Governors of Louisiana to remove persons who might intrude on the Batture ;— We know that an authority of the kind, was exercised by the
16List of Batture-Related Papers Requested from Wiliam C. C. Claiborne, [ca. 1 August 1810] (Jefferson Papers)
Wanting in the case of the batture. (copy deliv d to Gov r Claiborne ) Edict of 1664. granting to the West India company the islands & terra firma of America & other countries. cited by mr Derbigny pa. 26 . Ordonnance des eaux et forets de 1669 . Louis XVI XIV
17William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 11 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In a Letter which I addressed to the Mayor of New-Orleans , under date of the 7 h Instant , I requested him “to ascertain the sums of money expended by the Corporation, since the 20 h of December 1803 , and to transmit an account of the same to you.” I have supposed, that this information might prove useful in the Trial of Livingston’s Suit, and therefore I wish it to be laid before your...
18William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you attested Copies of a Petition to Congress from sundry Inhabitants of Orleans , and also of certain Resolutions entered into by the Legislative Council & House of Representatives of the Territory of Orleans upon the subject of the Batture . These Documents support all the facts on which you relied, in directing possession to be taken of the Batture by the Marshal...
19William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 25 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In a Letter from M r Mather Mayor of N w Orleans , under date of the 23 rd of July , he speaks of the request I had made of him, to inform me of the Authority under which the Spanish Governors removed the Intruders from the Batture , and he says— “I have taken the advised steps to procure the information desired; but shall not be able to get answers from Mesrs Blanque and Moreau Lislet before...
20William C.C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 10 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last Letter , I have made an agreeable Tour thro’ the Eastern States:—The encrease of population,—the progress of agriculture and manufactures—in a word, the prosperity of the Country, exceeded any thing, I had formed an idea of! The United States are in truth great and powerful, nor is there a Nation on earth, that has so much cause to approbate its Rulers.— Livingston , I learn, has...
21William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 24 December 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
You will no doubt have seen the Proclamation by the President , which made it my duty to take possession of the Country extending from the Mississipi to the Perdido , in the name & in behalf of the United States .—In the discharge of that duty I now occupy the Fort of Baton Rouge , its dependencies & the Several adjoining Districts.—On my arrival at Baton Rouge, I had reason to apprehend...
22William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 24 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform you, that the Laws of this Territory, is are enforced in every part of the Territory directed to be occupied by the Presidents Proclamation of the 27 th of October , except a small District around the Town & Fort of Mobile ;—There a Spanish Force is stationed, and must remain undisturbed, until the further Orders of my Government. I hope however these orders, will...
23William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Copy of a Communication, I made on yesterday to the Territorial Legislature;—The Batture has not been introduced; But that shall be made the Subject of a Special message.— General Hampton left this a few days since for Baton Rouge ;— It is reported that on his Journey, he purchased the greater part of Mr D. Clarks landed property, and that the Consideration...
24To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 March 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1811, New Orleans. Forwards a memorial from the Legislative Council and House of Representatives of the Orleans Territory. RC and enclosures ( PHi : Daniel Parker Papers). RC 1 p. In a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne. Printed in Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books Dunbar Rowland, ed., Official Letter Books of W. C. C. Claiborne, 1801–1816 (6 vols.; Jackson, Miss., 1917). , 5:173. For...
25To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 October 1811 (Madison Papers)
As my Commission as Governor of Orleans, will expire on the 17th. of January next, I take the liberty to request you to consider me a Candidate for honor of a reappointment. I am very grateful for the many proofs of Confidence you have already given me, and If I know myself, the favorite wish of my heart has always been, to merit by a faithful discharge of my duties, a Continuance of your good...
26To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that on the 30h Ultimo, I entered upon the duties of the office of Governor of Louisiana, to which I have been called by a Vote of the people of the State and of the General Assembly. Yielding to the feelings of a Grateful Heart, I eagerly seize this occasion to return you my sincere thanks for the high confidence you were pleased to repose in me, during the...
27To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 9 July 1813 (Madison Papers)
I sincerely Wish the Mediation of Russia may eventuate in an early and honorable adjustment of differences between the United States and Great Britain. But I much fear England has not yet Sufficiently felt the pressure of the War to induce her to be just: I trust however, that the valor and interprise of our naval Heroes, will Soon be equalled by our Land Forces, and that the fall of Canada...
28To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 July 1813 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 July 1813, New Orleans. “Influenced solely from a wish to serve a Citizen eminently entitled to private & public confidence, I take the liberty to recommend to your patronage, Mr Jos Saul, an inhabitant of this City, & the present Cashier of the Bank of Orleans. During eight years of his residence in my vicinity, I have had abundant proofs of Mr. Saul’s private & public worth; an ardent...
29Enclosure: William C. C. Claiborne’s Address to the New Orleans City Council, 9 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Had my health permited, I should have availed myself of the Honor of your Invitation, and been present at the sessions of the council on saturday last. … The question as to the right of property to the batture in front of the suburb S te mary is of very general concern. … that the Public right should be entertained maintained against the claims of Individuals, is not only interesting to the...
30William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 14 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
In the suit brought by Edward Livingston Against Le Breton D’orgenoy late marshal of the District of Orleans , The Honorable m r Hall , Judge of the District of Louisiana , has decided, the dispossessing of m r Livingston of the Batture , by order of the late President to be illegal, & he directs the Plaintiff to be reinstated in his possession.—The Public Sentiment on this occasion is...
31William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of the 14 th Instant , it has been deemed expedient to proceed against m r Livingston before the Parish court of New Orleans , by way of information , and of which a copy is herewith enclosed. M r
32To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I left New Orleans on the 12th. ultimo, on a tour thro’ the State , as well with a view to inform myself of its situation, as to assist in organizing a detachment of Militia, ordered to be holden in readiness for service, and which I shall call into the field, in case of Invasion, or eminent danger of Invasion. The War with the Creeks, will be soon drawn to a close; my Brother, General...
33To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
In my last letter, I had the honor to advise you of the defeat of the Revolutionists in the Spanish Province of Texas, and of the distress of the fugitives, who had Sought an assylum in this State. It is my duty now to inform you, that attempts are at this time making to organi⟨ze⟩ & equip within Louisiana, and elsewhere within the United States, a force for the express purpose of re-entering...
34To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 22 September 1814 (Madison Papers)
We have the afflicting intelligence of the fall of the City of Washington, but are not yet furnished the particulars; The public Buildings it is reported are all destroyed, but we are left to hope that private property has been respected. This event will excite thro’out the Union, the deepest Regret; But it may be an evil for a Good ; It Surely will revive the Spirit of Seventy Six, and call...
35To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you on the Glorious issue of the contest in which was involved the Safety of this Section of the union. It has this moment been officially announced to me by one of the aids de camp of Major General Jackson, “that the Enemy evacuated their camp in the course of last night, and that the State of Louisiana is now probably free from the presence of an Invader.” I cannot on this...
36To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
We are assured he[r]e, on the authority of Admiral Cockran, that a treaty of Peace between the United States, and Great Britain was Signed at Ghent on the 24th. of December last, and which treaty being already ratified by the Prince Regent, awaits only the Sanction of the American Government to put an end to hostilities. Taking it for granted that the Conditions are Such as neither to...
37To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
A sincere disposition to serve a worthy and useful Member of Society, induces me to take the liberty to recommend to your protection Doctor William Rogers of this City. This Gentleman was formerly attached to the Navy of the United States in Character as Surgeon, and left the service under a decision of a Court Martial, which the Doctor and his friends have always considered a hard one. I am...
38To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
My friend Mr Joseph Saul Cashier of the Orleans Bank, going to the northern states for the benefit of his health, will have the honor to deliver you this Letter. During ten years, that Mr Saul, has resided in this City, I have had abundant proof of his private and public worth; An honester Man never lived, nor do I know an Individual, who has manifested a more sincere attachment to the...
39To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December 1815 (Madison Papers)
I was duly honored with the receipt of your Letter of the 1st. of October, and took immediate measures to procure “some perfect fruits of the Bow wood of Louisiana, and some perfect Seeds of the same.” This wood is not to be found in this vicinity; But it grows (I learn) in the Parish of Feliciana in this State, and near to Fort Adams in the Missisippi Territory, from whence I hope soon to...
40To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
A Paragraph in a Newspaper, which was handed me on yesterday by a friend, has given me much Inquietude. It is there stated, that in the List of Balances reported to Congress, as having been due for the last three years, a considerable amount is attached to my Name. It cannot be, that the Accounts & Vouchers, I have from time to time transmitted to the Government are examined, or no Balance or...