31To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My official Letters to the Secretary of State , have advised you, of Mr. Livingston’s exertions to promote a Memorial to Congress , the object of which is to obtain the immediate recognition of Louisiana as a Member State of the Union. Mr. Livingston is supported by Messrs. Evan Jones and Daniel Clark, and there is no doubt but they will be joined by many french Inhabitants.—I have not seen...
32To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with real concern I announce to you, the death of my esteemed friend H. B. Trist. He died this morning of a malignant yellow fever, after an illness of five days. The loss of this citizen is a public misfortune, and will occasion much private distress:—He was faithful to the trust with which you honored him, and had he lived a few years longer, would have made ample provision for the...
33To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 30 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
During my late Illness, I had the pleasure to receive your esteemed favours of the 7h., 12h and 17h. of July;—But being then unable to write, I requested my private Secretary Mr. Briggs to inform you of their receipt, and to forward to you, the Names of several Gentlemen as suitable Characters for the Legislative Council.—I regret exceedingly the miscarriage of your Letter to me of the 17th....
34To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been informed that Doctor John Watkins had declined the appointment of Surgeon to the garrison of New Orleans, permit me to name to you Doctor Oliver H. Spencer as qualified in the opinion of those who know him to fill that Station. Doctor Spencer is a young man of promising talents: his skill, industry and attention in the practise of medecine and his amiable deportment in private life...
35To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last letter to you, I have greatly recovered my health, and I have the pleasure to add, that Mrs. Claiborne is now pronounced by her Physicians to be out of danger.—The fever continues to prevail here; but within a few days it has assumed a milder shape, and in several instances has yielded to medicine. The mortality during the last month was principally confined to Strangers;—but on...
36To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 13 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have filled up the blank Commissions , which you committed to my Care, with the name of John Thibaut of New-Orleans, & I now enclose the Bond he has given, and the Oaths he has taken & subscribed , in manner as the Law directs.— Mr. John Thibaut is a Native Frenchman, and was highly recommended to me as a Man of Integrity and Information; He resided four years in the U. States, & for the...
37To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 18 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This City continues the Seat of Disease:—On the 16th. Instant died of the prevailing fever, my private Secretary Joseph Briggs; on yesterday Mr. John Gelston late of New-York, and on this Morning Mr. Benjamin West late of Philadelphia.— My own family is heavily afflicted; Mrs. Claiborne continues ill, and her Brother (Mr. Lewis) is expected to die in the course of the Day.—The distress of the...
38To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recently experienced the heaviest of Afflictions.—It has pleased Allmighty God to call to the abodes of Rest my whole family.—On the evening of the 25th. Instant my only Child , a sweet little Daughter near three years of Age, breathed her last, and on the morning ensuing Mrs. Claiborne closed a Life , with the continuance of which my happiness was intimately connected.—Every medical...
39To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Mail, I could only acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour of the 30th. August;—But I shall now do myself the pleasure to reply to it more particularly. On receiving the Appointment of Governor of this Territory, I feel sensibly the honor confered, and shall be the more solicitous to deserve a Continuance of your Confidence;—I am however firmly persuaded that the office...
40To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 22 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last Letter , I have filled the Blank in the Marshalls commission, with the Name of Francis Joseph Le’Breton Dorgonoy, and administered to him the Oaths of Office.—This Gentleman is a Native of Louisiana; an independent Farmer, and possessing (as is stated to me) inflexible Integrity. Mr. Dorgonoy is also an American in sentiment and feeling; he has of late given umbrage to some...
41To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
There is not in this Territory, all that political Union, which I could wish; But I verily believe that the Discontents are not extensive, nor do I think them of a serious nature.—The Memorial no doubt, was signed by many Citizens; But I nevertheless do not view that Instrument as a fair expression of the public will.—Twenty persons composed the first meeting; three or four Sketches of a...
42To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have forwarded you by the Ship Fame bound to Baltimore, a small Box containing a few Fossils &c. collected by a Mr. “ Richard King on his excursion to the Hot Springs, on the Ouachita River,” and of which I solicit your acceptance.— Mr. King in his Letter to me, speaking of the Hot Springs—observes—“These Springs form the most extraordinary Phenomenon in the World. The water is hot almost to...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Governor Folch is now in this City, and was received by me with respectful Attention. On this morning accompanied by my Militia Officers, I waited upon the Marquis of Casa Calvo; visited with him the Cathedral Church, and assisted at high Mass.—This day is the feast of St. Carlos, and with a view of testifying my respect for his Catholic Majesty so long as my Country shall be in Peace with him...
44To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Governor Folch is yet in this City, arranging (as is understood) with the Marquis a plan for improving and strengthening the Garrison at Pensacola. These Gentlemen (I hear) are impressed with an opinion that the U. States will abandon their Claim to West Florida, and that East & West Florida will be given in exchange for the West Bank of the Missisippi;—But this I presume is in conformity to...
45To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A late arrest of a Spanish officer in this City by the Civil authority, has occasioned much agitation here, and excited in a great degree, the displeasure of the Marquis of Casa Calvo, and of Governor Folch. I have not time by this Mail, to furnish the Secretary of State with the particulars of this affair, but I pray you to be assured, that the conduct of the constituted authorities has been...
46To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My Administration here, from the time of my Arrival in Louisiana, to the close of the late provisional Government, has already became an object of some discussion: to this I can have no objection; I wou’d rather court it, were I assur’d, that the Enquiries wou’d be conducted with Candour.—but some publications have appear’d here upon the subject, in which, I do not think Justice has been...
47To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the 12th. Ultimo Messrs. Poidrass Morgan and Watkins have been attending in the City with a view of meeting in Council in conformity to my Proclamation . Messrs. Kenner and Wikoff (who from fear of the Fever had avoided the City) appeared a few days since. These five Gentlemen are all who of the original Thirteen named as Councillors thought proper to accept. The situation of things here...
48Enclosure: Composition of the Orleans Territory Legislative Council, 2 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Members Originally named for the Council, and Stephen Boré } Declined Serving Evan Jones Daniel Clark Michael Cantrell Jack Romain Gaspar Dubuys Bellechasse Degoutin & Robert Dow ——— Julian Poidras } Accepted William Wikoff Benjamin Morgan John Watkins &
49To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose you a copy of my address to the Legislative Council, and of the answer returned thereto. The meeting of the Council has had already a happy effect; the few Intriguers who have laboured to stop the Wheels of Government are greatly discouraged, and the well disposed Citizens highly satisfied. The only anxiety I now feel is, that the means I resorted to, to form a...
50To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to announce the arrival of Judge Hall; he reached this City three days ago; and on this Morning, I delivered him his commission, and administered the oaths of Office. The death of Colonel Kirbey is really an event I greatly lament;—But I persuade myself his vacancy will soon be filled by an able and judicious Judge.—Mr. Prevost is attentive to his duties, and his decisions...
51To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mail has this moment arrived, and brought me your Letter of the 28th. of October.— The communication you made to Mr. Gelston fell into proper hands, and has been used as you intended.—As the Mail will leave this early in the morning, I shall defer replying particularly to your Letter until next Week.— Accept Dear Sir assurances of my respectful attachment RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The...
52To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Mail I received your Letter of the 28th. of October, and was happy to learn your determination to appoint Mr. Brown the Successor of my friend Trist. I have particularly observed the Conduct of Mr. Brown in public and private Life, and I doubt not but he will continue to merit your Esteem and Confidence.—The family of my departed friend are in the enjoyment of health, and I am...
53To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
On yesterday in this City, there was great rejoicing—The Citizens generally evinced a grateful recollection of the period which annexed Louisiana to the United States, & thro’ out the Day there was a degree of harmony which afforded me singular pleasure.—The paper enclosed will give you some account of the particulars.—You may be assured Sir, that the great body of this people, are becoming...
54To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 22 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
On this morning, (accompanied by the Mayor of the City Mr Petot) I visited the ground adjacent to the Canal of Carondulet, and find the Land low, and in some parts subject to be overflowed;—But my impression is, that the whole may easily be reclaimed, and will soon be valuable.— The commons of the City as explained by the Mayor, and as he said, were defined in a Grant issued by a french...
55To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a plan of the City of New-Orleans. It will shew you the situation and extent of the commons claimed by the City, and also of the vacant Land on the Canal of Carondulet, which I alluded to in my Letter of yesterday. I am Dr Sir, With great respect Your faithful friend RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as...
56To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your Letter of the 2nd. Ultimo, together with its several enclosures.— Your Letter to Mr. Brown was immediately delivered;—that to Colonel Kirbey is returned to you, & whose death I presume you have by this time been informed of.— Mr. Brown has mentioned to me his Intention to decline serving either as Judge or Secretary; the Salary is not sufficient to support him comfortably,...
57To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have forwarded a Commission as Councillor to Doctor John Sibley; he is certainly a Man of Information, & is capable of making a good member of the Legislature. I must confess that I felt terror on seeing the Paragraph concerning the Doctor, which I enclosed you by the last Mail —My personal acquaintance with him is limited, but as an interesting Correspondent I had respected him, & formed an...
58To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 17 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately had but too much occasion to Solicit from your feelings a tribute of condolence for the private misfortunes which have marked my residence in this Country. Once more I have to resume the unfortunate recital by announcing to you the Death of my Brother in Law, and private Secretary, Mr. Micajah G. Lewis, who on Tuesday last, was killed in a Duel near this City. You have no doubt...
59To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The late Indian Agency which has been confered on Doctor John Sibly has occasioned an investigation of his private character, and I discover that it has received many injurious reproaches. Mr. Bradford the Editor of the Orleans Gazette has addressed to me a Letter upon the Subject, which I deem it a duty to lay before you, more especially since in some of my former Letters to you, I spoke...
60To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Robinson a passanger on Board the Brig Enterprise Bound for Baltimore has promised to convey to you a Barrell of excellent Brown Sugar, Manufactured by Mr. Fortier a respectable Planter of this Territory. Mr. Fortier has requested me to forward to you this Sugar, and to pray your acceptance of it as a Sample of the Production of this fertile District— I am my Dear Sir with great Respect...