1To 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...
2To John Adams from James Wilkinson, 12 September 1804 (Adams Papers)
I rely on your goodness to pardon me for this intrusion, which springs from my solicitude to preserve inviolate, as far as may be in my power, the sound principles by which Military institutions are governed. A single Officer (Col. Butler) not long since, resisted an order for regulating the Uniform of the Head; standing alone in apposition to his Brethren & the universal practice of armies,...
3To Alexander Hamilton from James Wilkinson, 15 November 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
Although you can have no motive for desiring to extend the circle of your acquaintance, yet I am persuaded your Hand & your Heart will ever be free, to the Honourable, the amiable & the erudite of whatever clime or Country; under this impression I have presumed to introduce to you Mr John Forbes of Pensacola, principal Copartner in America, of the opulent & respectable House of Paton & Leslie,...
4To 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...
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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
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....
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...
10To 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,...