1From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 22 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Commission, ⟨con⟩stituting David Latimore a Member of the Legislativ⟨e⟩ Council of the Mississippi Territory, in the room of ⟨Adam⟩ Bingaman, & request that it may be forwarded to h⟨im.⟩ With much respect, I have the honor to be Sir, Your most obt. Servt: Tr ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal). Winthrop Sargent had described Bingaman in November 1800 as...
2From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 9 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 April 1802, Department of State. Encloses Claiborne’s commission as governor of the Mississippi Territory. Tr and Tr of enclosure ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal). 2 pp. Printed in Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books Dunbar Rowland, ed., Official Letter Books of W. C. C. Claiborne, 1801–1816 (6 vols.; Jackson, Miss., 1917). , 1:115–16. Enclosure is a copy of a 26 Jan. 1802 commission by...
3From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 11 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters from November 24. to the 6th. of March last have been successively received. Such of them as fell within the purview of the War Department were communicated to Genl. Dearborn, who I have reason to beleive has bestowed on the subjects recommended a favorable attention. I inclose the opinion of the Attorney General in the case where you wished it. Altho’ the phraseology used...
4From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 26 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
Herewith inclosed is a copy of the agreement entered into on the 24. April last between the Commissioners on the part of the United States and those on the part of Georgia, duly authorized for that purpose, which agreement was ratified by the Legislature of that state on the 16. of June last. According to the Act of Congress of May 10. 1800 The commissioners of the U. States authorized to...
5From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 29 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
I commit to your particular attention the inclosed letter to Mr. Hulens which covers one from the Spanish Minister here, on the subject of the late decree at N. Orleans against the deposit of American merchandize at that place. The letter to Mr. Hulens is left open, that you may know the light in which this proceeding is viewed by the President and the steps taken in consequence of it. You...
6From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 17 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
I duly received your letter of 25th. Novr. 1802. inclosing the letter to you from the Governor at N. Orleans, in which it was stated that the intendant in arresting the course of our trade, had acted without orders from the Spanish Government; as well as contrary to the opinion of the Governor. This communication was laid before Congress by the President. You will find by the Resolution of the...
7From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 14 February 1803 (Madison Papers)
Your letters of the 20th. & 21st. December and of January 3d have been duly received. The rigor in abolishing hospital [ sic ] intercourse between the Spaniards and the Citizens of the United States, navigating the Mississippi explained in the latter, justly increases the indignation excited by the original measure of the Intendant. Still the stronger presum[p]tion is that the whole proceeding...
8From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 11 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1803, Department of State. “Your letter of Feby. 3d. inclosing the despatches from New Orleans to the spanish Minister here has been recd. Finding from the acknowledgment of the Intendant himself that he has acted without authority from the Spanish Government, and on evident misconstructions of the Treaty and of his duty, The Minister has written the enclosed letters with a view to...
9From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 11 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 March 1803, Department of State. “In addition to the despatches from the Spanish Minister here to the Government and the Intendant at New Orleans which you will herewith receive, I am requested by Mr. Pichon, the French Charge d’Affaires to forward a letter to the Governor of that place on the same subject. With his approbation it is left under a flying seal, that, you may have an...
10From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 19 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive a letter to the Consul of the United States at New Orleans, covering orders from the Spanish Government, for the immediate reestablishment of our right of Deposit. The letter is left open for your perusal. You will please to give it that expeditious transmission to New Orleans which its importance requires, and which is given to it from this place, by an express...
11From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to request you to forward the enclosed letter to Mr. Clark. I have left it open for your information, and enclosed a copy of the President’s proclamation for convening Congress and a summary of the contents of the Treaty with France, for your own use. With great respect, I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obed. servt. P. S. Be pleased also to forward the enclosed letter &...
12From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 31 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will find herewith a copy of the late Treaty with France ceding Louisiana to the United States which has been duly ratified and the ratifications exchanged; and two Commissions, one authorizing yourself and General Wilkinson jointly or seperately to receive possession, the other vesting in you alone the power necessary for the immediate Government of the ceded territory. Copies of the act...
13From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 14 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive a supplimental commission extending your authority to certain cases which may not be embraced by that heretofore transmitted. You will find also herewith enclosed a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Collector Mr. Trist, shewing the scope of his functions at New Orleans. In the infant & temporary arrangements required for Louisiana much is...
14From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 6 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters of the 17. 20. & 27 Decr. & 2d. Jan. have been successively received. They were not acknowled[g]ed from time to time as they came to hand, because instructions from the President having been fully given on the subject of obtaining possession of Louisiana, it only remains to learn the result of your proceedings and to communicate his sentiments thereon. These are contained...
15From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 6 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your several letters of December 8th. 20th. 27th. & Jany. 3. 9 have been duly received and laid before the President; and ⟨I have the pleasure to communicate⟩ to you his ap⟨pro⟩bation of your proceedings under the important Commission in which you are associated. The manner in which Louisiana has been put into the possession of the United States, is the more a subject for general...
16From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have received your letter of the 17th. of January, with two from yourself and Genl. Wilkinson of the 16th. & 17th. January and the other papers inclosed. The arrival of the French Troops and passengers is a circumstance to be regretted on several accounts. The steps taken and contemplated in consequence of it are approved by the President, and it is hoped will lead to a...
17From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 20 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
It being understood that Morales means to settle himself at New Orleans, and that his temper and his treasures, his connections and his views, may render him a mischievous member of the society, his removal to some other part of the United States, where he would be unimportant and harmless, would be agreeable to the President. Perhaps it may be in your power to bring this about, without...
18From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 12 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 31st. of January has come to hand. The information it conveyed respecting the importation of Negroes was communicated to Congress together with the letter it enclosed from Mr. Leonard. The doubts which have arisen respecting the Ship from St. Domingo have relation, as far as yet appears, to two points—1st. whether the passengers ought to be permitted to come up to New...
19From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 2 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last I have received your Letters of the 4th, 6th, and 13th February and that of yourself and General Wilkinson dated on the 7th, and 14 Feby. enclosed you will receive two copies of an Act of Congress passed on the 26th Ultimo erecting Louisiana into two Seperate Governments and continuing the present temporary Government until the 1st October next. The disturbance at the assembly...
20From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 9 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my letter of the 2d: instant the last mail has brought several from you and General Wilkinson, which having been forwarded to the President I cannot refer to them by dates. Instead of the Passports for the inhabitants of Louisiana, the form of which you have enclosed, I request you to issue those which I now transmit. By the next mail I shall forward an additional number. You will be...
21From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 1 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letters of the 15th. 16th. & 21st. of March. Letters lately received from our Ministers at Paris and Madrid communicate the agreeable information that the King of Spain has formally receded from his objections to the transfer of Louisiana to the United States. The emoluments and allowances which you are authorized to charge the United States in consequence of your removal...
22From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 19 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
By the last mail the President has received your letter accompanying Mr. Pedesclaux’s petition, and at the same time came to hand a representation from Louis de Clout on behalf of himself and family, requesting that means may be devised for investigating the circumstances of the murder of St. Julien’s wife, in which he has charged de Clout & his family as instigators and accomplices. As Mr....
23From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 26 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since mine by the last Mail I have received no letter from you. Enclosed is a copy of a petition of John Devereux Delacy to the President. If you can conveniently procure for him the papers relative to Blount & Allison, and the letters of Lohra, to which he refers, and from their nature there is no impropriety in his being possessed of them, I doubt not you will cause them to be restored to...
24From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 10 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of the 6th. June, I have recd. yours of the following dates viz. (two 29 & 30th. May 2 & 3d. June[)]. On the subject of the accusation of St. Julien, the observations contained in my letter of the 19th. Ult. apply viz. that the Judiciary power of the Country must decide whether he is subject to a trial and in what form. That the annexation of the Country to the United States...
25From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 28 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor[s] of the 12 & 14. of July. The continuance & conduct of the Spanish Officers at N. Orleans, justly excite attention. In every view it is desireable that these foreigners should be no longer in a situation to affront the authority of the U. S. or to mingle by their intrigues in the affairs of your territory. The first of October will be an epoch which may be used for...
26From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 30 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
The President having thought proper to avail the U. States of the continuance of your services by appointing you Governour of the territory of Orleans, in pursuance of the late Act of Congress for erecting Lou[i]siana into two territories, and providing for the temporary Govt. thereof I have the pleasure of inclosing the Commission for that purpose, with a commission providing for the...
27From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 23 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 October 1804, Department of State. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your several letters of the 1st. 4th. two of the 30th. Augt. and 1st. Septr. last; and in order that you may perceive the sentiments of the Executive respecting the case of the British prize Brig Active, enclosed are transmitted to you copies of a letter from Mr. Merry, the Minister of Great Britain, on that...
28From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 12 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 November 1804, Department of State. “I have received your several letters dated 16th. 23d. & 25th. Septr. , two of the 21st. of the same, also those dated 3d. 5th. & 8th. of October last.” [The remainder of the letter is nearly identical to JM to Cato West, 12 Nov. 1804 .] Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14); Tr ( Ms-Ar
29From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 15 December 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have received your several letters dated the 16th., two of 21, 23, 25 Sepr.—2, 3, 5, 8, 16, 19, 20, 22, 26, 27 Octr.—two of 3, 5, 8 & 10th. Novr.—and now inclose your Commission as Governor, with the approbation of the Senate, and sundry other Commissions for Officers of the Territory of Orleans. Your letters now acknowledged present two subjects on which the instructions of the Executive...
30From James Madison to William C. C. Claiborne, 24 December 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 December 1804, Department of State. “In lieu of the commissions forwarded by the last mail for Messrs. Prevost and Brown, the habendum of which was during good behaviour, I have transmitted others for four years which is conformable with the letter of the law.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. See JM to Claiborne, 15 Dec. 1804 , and n. 1. Prevost’s commission is printed in...