1To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 5 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
By recent letters from Goverr. Claiborne, and from my Atty. H. L. Duncan Esqr. I am advised that certain responses of Govr. Folchs to the Interogatories of Govr. Claiborne would be transmitted to the office of State for my use, and therefore I will beg leave to make application for those doccuments should they have come to hand; to enable me to employ th em on my defence against the accu...
2To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 20 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 December 1803, New Orleans. “We have the satisfaction to announce to you, that the province of Louisiana was this day surrendered to the United States by the Commissioner of France; and to add that the flag of our Country was raised in this City amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants. “The enclosed is a copy of an instrument of writing which was signed and exchanged by the Commissioners...
3To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 23 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
In the moment of sailing I take the liberty to mention to you the bearer Dr. Pendergrast formerly introduced to you by the count Andreani. The Dr. is direct from Cuba and has spent some time in The Havana, where he appears to have made himself master of the views and dispositions of the Inhabitants of the Island. Refering you to him for information which may be usefull and I conceve...
4To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 30 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 March 1804, New Orleans. “Since our last of the 11 instant, a Duplicate of which is under cover we have received the Remainder of the public Records of the Province. The Delivery of the Store-Houses and Magazines & the Evacuation of the City by the Spanish Troops are the only important unfinished Objects relating to our Commission.” Enclose a 27 Mar. 1804 letter from Laussat showing “that...
5To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 8 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
It is with singular Satisfaction, we announce to you the peaceful Transfer of the Province of Louisiana by the Commissioners of Spain to the Commissary of the French Republic, communicated to us by that officer in a Letter, received last Evening (bearing Date the 30. ulto) a Copy of which we transmit you, under Cover, together with his Proclamation, issued on the Occasion, to which we have...
Since our Letter of the 27. ulto but little Progress has been made in the Business of the Commission. Orders have been issued, by Mr Laussat for the Delivery of the Posts of Concord, Atakapas & Opelousas , to such American Officers as have been selected for those stations, and we are waiting like Orders for the Surrender of the Post of Natchitoches on Red River and those in upper Louisiana....
7To James Madison from James Wilkinson (Abstract), 7 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
7 April 1805, Washington . “I have been honored by your letter of the 22d ultimo [not found], and am highly flattered by the mark of Presidential confidence which it conveys to me, as well as by the obliging language in which you have been pleased to make the communication. “I fear my incompetency to the able discharge of the interesting trust confided to me, but shall Endeavour to supply the...
8Extract of a Letter from James Wilkinson, 31 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Burr had a contract with ______ of Pittsburgh, or a company with which he was concerned, for 20,000 barrels of flour, and 6,000 barrels of pork, deliverable here, or at Natchez. It was to follow Burr, and I understand he made a handsome advance on the contract. Since the expositions ______ has sent orders to Natchez to have these provisions taken care of, and not to deliver them before...
9To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 7 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
In my last of the 24th. Ultmo. of which you have a duplicate under cover, I fear I intruded on you some details touching the Indian affairs, which in propriety appertained to the department of War; I shall therefore by the pending mail address the Sequel of that Business to General Dearborn. You have under cover, copies of the Instructions of Governor Harrison, to the Surveyor General of this...
10To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 24 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
Since my last, bearing date the 28th. Ulto. the affairs of this Territory have progressed with tranquility. My neglect of the violent personal invectives, which were poured in upon me by the adverse parties of the Country, appears to have abated the Zeal and ardor of the managers on either Side, and it would seem that a truce has succeeded at all points, excepting the district of St....
11To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 12 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
When I reached this territory, I found a surveyor general in office, authorized by the regulations of Spain to appoint his deputies, and I continued him in commission, as I have done every other appointment of my Predecessor, Governor Harrison. As we have no territorial law, which recognises a surveyor general, or defines the duties of such station, the propriety of the appointment, has been...
12To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 28 July 1805 (Madison Papers)
I reached this place the 1st: Inst: And On the morning of the 4th: the Secretary of the Territory arrived just in season to attest the Enclosed Proclamation. My Predecessor having provided for the prevention of crimes, the maintenance of Order, the Organization of the Militia and the distribution of Justice, and having filled every appointment, it has been deemed adviseable to examine...
13To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 22 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
General Wilkinson has this moment received from Baltimore, where his papers generally are, a Letter from President Adams on a subject which for several Days has agitated the public Councils—He transmits the original for the Presidents perusal & hopes to find the Copy of that to which it is the Answer.—G. W. would wish a copy of this Letter to reach the House of deligates, if he knew how to...
14To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 6 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
When I arrived in this Territory I found Rufus Easton Esqr occupying the Office of Attorney general, under the appointment of Governor Harrison, which was vacated by his acceptance of the Office of Territorial Judge. Particular reasons prevented my filling the vacancy, but on the 29th. Ulto. the day when the General Court commenced its first term, I appointed a District Attorney to attend the...
Since our last of the 27. ulto. a Duplicate of which goes under Cover, the Spaniards have sent off a small Part of their Troops; and we have received repeated verbal Assurances from several of their Officers that a final Evacuation by them is fixed for the 20 of the present Month; and appearances seem to indicate the Reality of their Intention. We have received two Letters from the...
16To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 14 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
You will receive under cover herewith a duplicate of our last of the 7th current, also a copy of a Report made to us by Docr. Watkins Physician of the Port, relative to the Situation of the People on Board the French Transport from St Domingo, and the arrangements to be made for them at Placquemines. On the first of the present Month we received a Letter from the French Commissioner a copy of...
17To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 26 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
To promote the presidential Views relatively to the transfer, of our wide spread Setlers in the lower Districts of this Territory, to some other Quarter of our Domain, I have availed myself of the agency of a few Persons of observation & influence, and have the enclosed communications of a Mr. Bond, (whose Letters have before been transmited to you). The Object appears to be attainable,...
18To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 27 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Our Letter of the 20th Inst. informed you of the Delivery of Louisiana to the United States, and we now inclose an original Copy of the Process Verbal , or minutes of the transaction, which was signed on the occasion by the Commissioners of France and of the United States. The Barracks Magazines Hospital, and public Store Houses in this City, yet remain in the occupancy of the Spanish...
19To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 23 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your even Judgment will best direct the expediency & policy of noticing the inclosed, it has been dictated by a recent charge brought against me, on the point to which I have referance—I propose to stand before the Court Tomorrow. & will suffuse the Cheeks of some of my accusers—with perfect respect & attachment I am Sir Yr ob hu DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
20To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 26 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
General Wilkinson transmits the inclosed to the President for his perusal, & will pay his respects to Him some time this forenoon, to offer such explanations touching Adairs Letter as may be deemed necessary— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
21To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 27 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
Since our last of the 14 current, of which a Duplicate was forwarded by the last Mail; the French national Brig the Argo has dropped down the River, to Placquemines, for the Purpose, as we understand, of taking on Board the People, who came in the Brig Express from St. Nicholas Mole, and proceeding to France. We hope in Consequence thereof, to be relieved from the accumulating Embarrassments...
22To James Madison from James Wilkinson, 21 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
Being desirous to submit my every act to the Executive scrutiny, I take the liberty of trespassing upon You, a copy of my instructions to Colonel Hammond, whose authority has been extended to the adjacent district of St: Genevieve, in consequence of the abdication and arrest of Major Seth Hunt. I have thought proper also to offer information to the poor and ignorant Setlers of the Territory,...
23To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 9 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
The Orders from the French Commissioner, for the Delivery of the Posts at Natchitoches and those in upper Louisiana, of which we have been in Expectation for some Days, are not yet received. The Delay has arisen from the Tardiness of the Spanish Commissioners. We are informed however by Mr Laussat, that he has, at Length, received from the Marquis de Casa Calvo, the necessary Instructions to...
24To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 17 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
No alteration has taken place since our last, of which you have a duplicate under cover, excepting the receipt of the necessary orders, for the delivery of all the Spanish Posts in upper Louisiana, and at Nachitoches and it’s dependencies. But we have to apprize you of an unexpected occurrence of a most unpleasant nature. Early yesterday morning we were formally advised by Mr. Daniel Clarke,...
25To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 17 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor to inclose you a duplicate of my Letter of the 13th. Inst., transmitted by the last Mail, and in obedience to your desire, I avail myself of the conveyance by Judge Sprigg, to forward you one of Burr’s original Letters to me, and by the next safe conveyance, I will transmit you a literal Interpretation of it duly attested, which I have not yet taken time to render to my...
26To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 19 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
about 130 Leagues above the Cado nation & 230 from Natchitoches, we have discovered on either side the Red River, Cliffs of rock Salt—we also find several salt springs above this point & one below it, which discharge themselves into the River, & actually give a brackish taste to its Waters, as low down as the settlement of Natchitoches, during the recess of the floods, or rather before their...
27To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 12 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find under cover the Report I have promised, and I flatter myself you will not condemn the manner, in which it has been obtained. I beg to refer you for Mr. Burling Character (not a common one) to General S. Smith who has long Known Him—On my own part I profess to you, I consider Him the pure Patriot, & hardly to be equaled in any Enterprize which Interests His feelings; and yet he is...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 27 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In a case which excites the sharpest self-reproach & exposes me to severe reprehension, I venture to address myself directly to you, with the hope that you may spare me the publick humiliation, which I have merited by an inexcusable (tho innocent) omission of Duty. The precise injunctions of the Law, relatively to the Oath of Office I am to take, as Governor of the Territory of Louisiana, had...
29To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 23 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been imputed to me that pending the Agitations in the Western Country, occasion’d by Mr. Burr’s Projects, I did denounce many eminent Persons to You in a Letter, or Letters, which have not been published—being conscious that this like a thousand other Rumours, fabricated by my Enemies for my Injury, is void of foundation—I shall thank You Sir for such answer to this Note, as may...
30To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 19 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Hope Burr may have reached the City of Washington, I think proper to transmit you the inclosed—Every day unfolds something of the Plot & convinces me it is not abandoned—This was Burrs parting declaration to His followers, and if Adair is on his way hither, he is moved by objects of higher importance, than personal or legal reparation from me—He is more competent, to a desperate Effort...
31To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 27 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I tresspass this Note on your Time, to inform you that I have strong expectations I shall be able to prove, that Burr sunk his ordnance Boat in the Mississippi near the Bayou Pierre, That He actually seduced a Sergt. Jacob Dunbaugh to defect the Service, who accompanied Him to Natchez & will I hope be in my power in a few Days, and that He corrupted Lt. Jackson & His Garrison at the Chickasaw...
32To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson and Benjamin Hawkins, 1 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding from the public prints, that you are at Monticello, we avail ourselves of the direct conveyance to intrude on you our communications of the 25th ult , and of this day , to the secretary of War; and we hope you may approve of this deviation from the regular course of our correspondence, which we hazard, with the intent to secure time, for the seasonable arrival of any order you...
33To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 1 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit this by a Vessel bound to Baltimore, to cover a duplicate of my letter of the 26th. Ulto. and to trespass some further details on your patience. The enclosed Extract of a letter from S. Dinsmore, will apprize you of the State of things at Natchez, and particularly the Situation of Blennerhassett, Tyler, Ralston and Floyd. Should these men be left to the Mummery of a trial, before a...
34To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, 7 February 1804 (Madison Papers)
In our Letter of the 16th ultimo, we informed you that we have just then received Information, of the Arrival in the River, of a Vessel with French Troops from St. Domingo. It Appeared by the first Accounts, that a great Mortality had prevailed on Board, and we were Apprehensive of her being infected by some Contagious distemper; It now Appears, that her Company consists of Officers, Surgeons,...
35To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 26 March 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your Testimonials in favor of Mr. Ellery & Mr. Alexander, which flatter my pride & gratify my affections, because they bring me Evidence of your remembrance, & inform me that you repose some confidence in the assurance, by which I am bound to receive your Commands, & to Honor your recommendation. The merited repute of this Interesting portal, to worlds known & unexplored, is...
36To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 2 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Stille late of the army—declares that speaking to Mr. Granger in Baltimore Concerning his route to this Country, he Mr. Granger observed to him, why You will be at the Falls of the ohio about the time the Grand Flotilla will reach it—He Capt. Stille enquired what flotilla? Mr. Granger answered have You not heard of the Grand flotilla preparing at Marietta & else where—on Capt. Stille’s...
37To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 10 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret that a variety of interruptions & engagements, should have so long prevented my attention, to the subject you did me the Honor to mention to me.— On turning it in my Mind, the Idea occurred to me that your proposition could not be better sustained, than by an examination of the System of defences, heretofore adopted for our Towns & Harbours, and a comparative view of its merits with...
38To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 18 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
presuming that a sample of the Waters of the Mississippi & Arkansaw Rivers, remarkable for their difference to each other & to the Waters of all other Rivers within my Knowledge, may not be unacceptable to you, I avail myself of a conveyance by Doctor Carmichael of the Army, who will have the Honor to deliver this, to send you a Bottle of each, taken from those Rivers in their lowest & least...
39To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 1 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The remote position of General Dearborn from you, induces me to transmit directly for your information, the last advices received from the Mississippi—I think the Genl. Alviera reported by Colo. Sparks, was sent to Charleston South Carolina from Saint Domingo in 1802, as a that he was considered a man of high pretensions and great audacity—I think Colo. Sparks must be mistaken as to his...
40To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 29 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The late outrage by the British on the chesapeake, has produced every where, within our range of Intelligence at this place, a degree of Emotion bordering on rage—I revere the Honourable impulse but fear its Effects—Measures taken with deliberation will be best sustained, and our National dignity cannot be so well supported, as by those regular & orderly proceedings, which are sanctioned by...
41To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 22 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer hereof Capt. Amos Stoddard, who conducts the Indian deputation on their visit to you, has charge of a few natural productions of this Territory, to amuse a leisure Moment, and also a Savage delineation on a Buffaloe Pelt, of the Missouri & its South Western Branches, including the Rivers plate & Lycorne or Pierre jaune; This Rude Sketch without Scale or Compass “et remplie de...
42To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 12 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
During a Conversation which I had the Honor to hold with you, soon after your Inauguration in the Year 1797., I mentioned the circumstance of our little army being at that period, without an Established Uniform for the officers; you expressed surprise at the irregularity of the Fact, & to remedy the defect, directed me to make the necessary regulations.— I think it probable that an incident so...
43To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 8 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing you the 5th. Inst: I have received a Letter from Mr Gallatin, which enables me to make a specific disposition of the Troops destined to form a Cordon on our Canadian frontier & Support the Collectors in the execution of their Duties, which will accelerate the Service & save Governor Thompkins the trouble of interposing his Authority.— Mr. Gallatin calls for about 300 Men, two...
44To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 3 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received your Original Letter, of the 3d. of January, and Sincerely congratulate you on the Arrest of Burr, though I fear from the route by which he has been Sent, that you Will never find him at Washington. The popular feelings, His extreme art and desperation conspire to favor his escape. Mr. Gaines has certainly done for the best, but I should have prefered to Send him by Sea....
45To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Bonaparte vise a la domination universal, et pour parvenir a ce but il est necessaire d’etèindre las presentes dynasties de l’Europe, et de plàcer ses dependents dans la place des Monarque Actuel, il ne sera jamais tranquille tandis qu’un Bourbon reste dans le trône. Il a dèja seune la Pologne l’a èvige en royaume et placé un de ses favòris sour le Trône. Il a dètronè le Roy de Pruse; et il...
46To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 5 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I regret that Indisposition should have prevented the earlier acknowledgment of your obliging Note of the 3rd. Inst., and I hope it may not be unseasonable at this time, to submit to you the following brief remarks, in reply to that Note.— Mr. Borés intemperate conduct may be imputed to national prejudice, to a false estimate of his own importance, & a delusive reliance on the maternal...
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, with Jefferson’s Note, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
General Wilkinson has the Honor to submit, to the private Inspection of the President, Portraits of several prominent Characters in Louisiana, (the Territory of Orleans) from the Pens of two Gentlemen, strangers to each other, of different Nations & opposite prejudices—The one a French Man, the other an Atlantic American—But both of them, decidedly opposed to the French Government, & as...
48To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 16 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose my Account of disbursements for Secret Service, pending the Scenes in which I was engaged, in the Autumn 1806 & the Winter 1807: the Items of which I beg leave to explain in the following numerical Order viz.— No.—1. This Sum is vouched, see No. 1 under cover, & was paid to Establish the Person Employed at the River Trinity, about sixty Miles in the rear of...
49To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind invitation to dinner this Day, increases the mortification I experience, from not being able to pay my respects to you—An affection of my Head & Breast, which I have resisted several Days, compeled me last Evening to lose blood & I am now under the operation of medicine—I lament the sudden departure of Baron Humbolt as I feel a strong Interest in having his answers to the quere?...
50To Thomas Jefferson from James Wilkinson, 15 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I did intend to transmit you a Copy of Capt Pikes report by Governor Lewis, but have been too occupied to fulfil my purpose—I shall have the Honor to Hand it to you at the Seat of Government The disgraceful & dishonourable Scenes which have been passing in review here, are drawing to a close—Burr has just been acquited on the trial for Misdemeanor, and now a motion will be made for his...