Previous to my receiving your note of the 22d. inst: Mr. Madison had sent me a lenthy statement of facts relative to the batture in front of the suburb St. Mary at New Orleans, or alluvial lands to which you refer. In this statement Messrs. Derbigny & Lisly French lawyers of reputation & Mr. Gurley Attorney General of the New Orleans territory, have, I understand, given decided opinions in favor of the title of the United States to the Batture. Upon reflection I concur with them. The statement I must presume to be correct, as it has been officially furnished.

Under the first section of the Act of the 3d. of March A.D. 1807. I am of opinion that military force may be employed by the President to remove from these lands, any persons who may have taken possession of them since the passage of the law. This I think appears to have been the fact in the present case from the letter of Mr. Van Pradelles of the 11th. ulto. which I return you. At first I entertained doubts on this point, but further enquiry removed them. These observations contain the requisite answers to the two questions proposed viz 1. Have not the U.S. a claim to these lands? 2. If they have, may not military possession be taken?

Yours Very Respecy & Sincry