1To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 August 1801, Nashville. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s letter of 10 July enclosing his commission as governor of Mississippi Territory. Requests JM to inform president that he accepts appointment. Expects to depart for Mississippi by late September or early October. Letterbook copy ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal). 2 pp. Printed in Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books Dunbar Rowland, ed.,...
16 September 1801, Knoxville. Reports that arrangements for his descent of the Mississippi are nearly completed; expects to leave the first week of October. Has received information from the Mississippi Territory that “the public Mind is tranquil,” party spirit has considerably subsided, population is increasing, and relations with the Spanish and the Indians are harmonious. Requests regular...
3To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 7 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 October 1801, Nashville. Plans to depart for the Mississippi Territory on 8 Oct. Reports that the territorial assembly was convened by Secretary John Steele on 20 July. It conducted little business during a five-week session and what it did remains incomplete without gubernatorial sanction. Steele is reported ill; his life is despaired of. Quotes a passage from a 3 Sept. letter received from...
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...
12 December 1801, Natchez. Encloses a copy of his 2 Dec. address to the territorial legislature together with their answer [of 4 Dec.]. The legislature seems to be composed of “honest men, much attached to the United States, and devoted to the Interest of this Territory,” despite their inexperience. Believes that all opposition to admitting the Mississippi Territory to the second grade of...
20 December 1801, Natchez. Has just received word that U.S. commissioners have concluded a treaty at Fort Adams with the Choctaw, who consented to a road through their lands to Tennessee; presumes construction will begin immediately. Large quantities of flour and other exports have passed by Natchez recently, demonstrating the increase of industry and wealth in the West. Mentions reports that...
7To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 January 1802, Natchez. Reports that “nothing very interesting” has occurred since his letter of 20 Dec. Territorial legislature transacts business slowly, but with care and prudence. “Political disquietude is nearly exiled,” and the judiciary is the sole subject of popular discontent. Regrets that territorial Supreme Court is “so deficient in Law Knowledge.” The chief justice “was...
20 January 1802, Natchez. Encloses a letter received from Mississippi attorney general Harding regarding land claims in the territory. Believes that the information contained in Harding’s letter, if true, will affect legality of the Supreme Court decision referred to in his own letter to JM of 20 Dec. Asks JM to lay enclosed letter before U.S. attorney general and to request his opinion on...
23 January 1802, Natchez. Announces arrival on 21 Jan. of Jefferson’s recent message to Congress. Prospects for unanimity in the territory are not as pleasing as he had supposed. Factions still exist, and it will take time to lay their “Evil Spirit” to rest. The territorial legislature is “amply supplied” with love of country and honest intentions, but “there is a deficiency in Legislative...
10To 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...
11To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 February 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” States that he does not know whether his frequent letters to JM have been received as he has had no communications from the State Department since his arrival. Reports that an election for the territorial legislature will be held in July and the people are already agitated. “Popular favor is uncommonly fluctuating; the population of the District, is...
12To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1802 , “ Near Natchez. ” Refers to his letter of 5 Feb. advising JM of his request to Wilkinson to construct a blockhouse at a central location to store spare arms from Fort Adams; hopes the president will approve it. Is currently occupied with the difficult task of organizing the militia. The election of members of the territorial legislature, to be held the fourth Monday in July, has...
13To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 April 1802 , “ Near Natchez. ” “It is confidently reported at New Orleans that East & West Florida’s are Ceded to France; I have understood, that no official information of the Cession, had reached the Governor General of Louisiana, and that he denies the truth of the report; it is nevertheless generally believed and has occasioned much anxiety & uneasiness among the Inhabitants of Orleans.”...
14To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 April 1802, Natchez. On 18 Apr. received JM’s letter of 22 Feb. enclosing Dr. David Lattimore’s commission as a member of the legislative council of the Mississippi Territory; Lattimore, who has accepted the appointment, “unites to pure Republicanism, handsome Talents & an Honest Heart.” The “utmost harmony” exists between Americans and Spaniards at New Orleans. Supports the president’s...
15To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 May 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” “The Legislature of this Territory met in Session on the 3rd. Instant and on the day following I made to the two Houses a Communication of which the enclosed is a Copy.” The legislature adjourned 13 May after making “several very wholesome Laws, amongst which is an Act to establish a College in the Mississippi Territory.… This College shall bear the name of...
16To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 May 1802, Washington, Mississippi Territory. “I have the honor to enclose you, a Manuscript Copy of the Laws passed at the last Session of the Territorial Legislature; There being at present, no Secretary in the Territory, (Colo. Steele’s time of service having expired) the original Laws, are deposited with me for safe keeping. The acts passed at the Session, previous to the last, are yet...
17To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1802, Washington, Mississippi Territory. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s letter of 9 Apr. enclosing his commission as governor of the Mississippi Territory. Letterbook copy ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal). 1 p. Printed in Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books Dunbar Rowland, ed., Official Letter Books of W. C. C. Claiborne, 1801–1816 (6 vols.; Jackson, Miss., 1917). , 1:116.
18To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 31 [sic] June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 [sic] June 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” Acknowledges JM’s letter of 11 May enclosing the opinion of the attorney general. Observes that the Spanish governor was “extremely liberal in his donations, after the promulgation of the treaty between the United States, and Spain. And there is no doubt but many tracts of land in this District are claimed by antidated grants; and I believe the fraud may...
19To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 August 1802, Natchez. “In a former letter I stated to you the want of confidence on the part of many of the Citizens of this Territory in their Supreme Judiciary; the deficiency of legal talents in two of the Judges; and the propriety there was, in supplying the first vacancy with a character of good law information. It is now reported that Judge Tilton has resigned.… But there is another...
20To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 8th Instant, I had the honor to receive your Communication of the 20th of July, and on the next day, I published a hand Bill, addressed “to persons Claiming Lands within the Mississippi Territory,[”] and of which the enclosed is a Copy. In my publication, I have endeavoured to comply literally with your instructions, and I trust the Language which is used, cannot be construed “as...
21To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 October 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” Encloses a letter received “last evening” from Hũlings together with a translation of an extract from Morales’s 16 Oct. proclamation. “These despatches, announce ’that the Port of New Orleans, is shut against foreign commerce and the American deposit .[’] Not understanding from the Intendant’s Proclamation, whether or not, another place on the banks of the...
22To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 November 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” Sends such information as he has been able to collect in reply to JM’s inquiries of 26 July. In conformity with JM’s request, land claimants of the descriptions mentioned were invited by public advertisement to file “the particular Authority and extent of their respective claims, and the chain of Title derived to the present claimants from the Original...
23To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 November 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” “The embarrassment of our trade at N: Orleans, still continues, private letters state, that American produce may be landed by paying a duty of 6 pCent, but not otherwise.” Encloses an extract in Spanish [not found] from the intendant’s proclamation, as “the translation, which was sent you is sufficiently faithful, but does not possess the strength of the...
24To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 November 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” “I have this day drawn upon you, for the sum of Eighty dollars, payable at five days sight to Ferdinand L. Claiborne, merchant at Natchez, or to his order.” Explains that he paid this sum to Samuel May “for going express from Natchez to Nashville, as will appear from the vouchers enclosed” [not found]. The letters that May carried “communicated the late...
25To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 November 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” Encloses a duplicate [not found] of his 5 Nov. letter , having discovered an omission of a few words in the third inquiry regarding claims derived under the British and Spanish governments previous to the treaty of 1795 and unsettled at the date of the treaty. “After the word Settlement these words should have been inserted, ‘ within the ceded Territory .’”...
26To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 November 1802, Natchez. Encloses “an Original Copy of a Communication (together with a translation thereof)” received “this morning” from the governor general of Louisiana, in answer to Claiborne’s 28 Oct. letter. Letterbook copy and copy of enclosure ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal); Tr ( DNA : RG 233, President’s Messages, 7A-D1); Tr of enclosure ( DLC : Jefferson Papers)....
27To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 December 1802, “ Near Natchez .” The legislature met at Washington [Mississippi Territory] on 5 Dec. Encloses a copy of the address he delivered on 8 Dec. to an assembly of both houses “together with the answers returned.” David Ker received his commission “by the last mail” and has undertaken his official duties. Ker’s appointment has satisfied “ a great portion ” of the citizenry, and he...
28To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 January 1803, Natchez. “The enclosed hand bill [not found] has this moment reached me; it has every appearance of being an official publication.” The conduct of the Spanish government in Louisiana is “indeed extraordinary.” Recent acts manifest “determined hostility” to the U.S. “The violation of the Treaty, so far as related to the deposit at Orleans, gave rise to much agitation in this...
29To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 January 1803 , “ Near Natchez .” Reports that he received JM’s 29 Nov. 1802 letter with its enclosures on 10 Jan. and forwarded the letter to Hũlings by hired express. “I presume it has by this time reached him.” “At the date of the last advices from New Orleans, that post continues shut to the American deposit, and it was not understood that the Intendant was likely to revoke his decree. I...
30To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1803 , “ Near Natchez .” Encloses “general abstracts” [not found] of a recently received return of the claims filed in Washington County. Most titles exhibited in the county “are very incomplete.” “It is not believed, that any of the citizens claiming under Spanish sales, had obtained patents previous to October 1795, but remained in possession of their lands, by virtue of an Order...