To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 March 1806 (Abstract)
From William C. C. Claiborne, 27 March 1806 (Abstract)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 27 March 1806, New Orleans. “On the 24. instant, the House of Assembly formed a Quorum; and on the following day I delivered to them an Address, of which the inclosed is a Copy.1
“I am anxious to learn the real state of affairs between the United States, and foreign nations—and particularly so, as it relates to Spain. The free navigation of the Mobile, by American Vessels, is still prohibitted, and our Fellow Citizens, on the Tombigbe, are experiencing therefrom, the most serious inconvenience: Their articles of exportation are of no value; and many of the necessaries of life which were hitherto received by the Mobile, are in great scarcity; In short, Sir, if the present state of things should continue for six months longer, the settlement will be ruined, and perhaps abandoned! The American Citizens on the Tombigbe have entered into an agreement—not to traffic or to have any intercourse with the Spaniards, so long as the free navigation of the Mobile is denied; but this agreement only proves the spirit and patriotism of our fellow Citizens; it will produce no injury to their Oppressors; but if the intercourse of our Seaports, and particularly New Orleans with Pensacola and Mobile, was interdicted, our unjust Neighbours would, in their turn, experience much inconvenience, and their means of annoying us would be deminished; for it is a fact that most of their supplies, and some in the military department, are received from this City.
“I cannot learn with certainty that any of the Gun Boats are on their passage to this Port. A respectable Force in this quarter is, at the present crisis, highly necessary. The regular Troops here are few in number, and not prepared to take the Field to advantage; in as much as we have no Field Pieces mounted, and only a small supply of Ammunition and Camp Equipage. I am no friend to a Standing Army; my whole conduct in public life proves the Fact; but at the present period our best interests require, that there should be at least Twelve Hundred troops in this Territory! The presence of such a Force would not only deter the Spanish agents in our vicinity from venturing on acts which were calculated to irritate; but what is infinitely of more consequence—it will give our new fellow Citizens a confidence in the American Government—which, I am sorry to say, many of them at this time, do not possess.
“I have labored to enfuse among the People here, a martial Spirit, and to keep up a degree of military ardor, but I perceive, with regret, that the spirit which was for a while roused, is declining, and that a general apathy is prevailing! The native Americans declare that the Government neglects them—and the ancient Louisianians, seeing no military preparations, are impressed with an opinion that the United States are unable or unwilling to contend with the power of Spain.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, vol. 8). RC 3 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner, with his note: “T. b- a.” For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure, an extra from the Orleans Gazette; and Commercial Advertiser, 25 Mar. 1806 (1 p.; printed in , 3:274–81, where it is dated 24 Mar. 1806), is Claiborne’s address to the Orleans Territory legislative council and the house of representatives, noting there was no provision under the law for employment of offenders sentenced to hard labor; suggesting that a penitentiary be erected and that “vagrants” be confined “to some laborious occupation,” which would prevent them from “annoying Society by their mischievous example” and defray the expenses of their support; suggesting the passage of an act prescribing “the punishment of offences committed by Slaves” and providing for their quick trial; commending the company incorporated under the “act for improving the inland Navigation of the Territory of Orleans”; observing that the interior roads of the territory and the levees were being neglected; suggesting the construction of a road along the Mississippi from New Orleans to Plaquemine, which could be used to tow vessels up the river as needed; reporting that the act of the last council for the establishment of a university was not being fulfilled as quickly as had been anticipated while praising tax-supported schools; suggesting that the legislature attend to regulations for future elections and to “provision for the support of the poor”; noting that the city hospital founded by Andre Almonester had previously been under the supervision of the governor, but the change in government had made the continuance of that now doubtful; stating that the treasurer would report on the state of the finances; reporting on the reform of the militia organization, especially in view of the current situation in relation to “Foreign Powers”; and expressing a hope that America could remain at peace and that the people of Orleans would support Congress and the Jefferson administration whatever happened.