1To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of your letter of the 21. of March, inclosing a copy of an act of Congress which authorizes the President to accept of such Company or Companies of Volunteers, not exceeding 30,000, as shall make a tender of service. The present state of things on the western side of the Mississippi, as far as I am advised, authorizes a hope that no difficulty will shortly...
2To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 12th. Ultimo (covering copies of the orders of the Secretary’s of War & of the Navy relative to the deserters which had been forcibly taken from the District of Baton Rouge) has been received; & in reply to a late letter from Governor Grand Pré, in which he expressed a Solicitude, to learn the orders of the President, relative to that transaction , I did on the 11th....
3From William C. C. Claiborne to Anonymous, 23 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to address to your Care, one Hogshead, three Boxes & two Cases directed “to the President of the United States,” and which were this day put on Board the Ship Comet, (Captain McNeil) bound for Baltimore.—The Hogshead & Boxes contain Curiosities which were collected by Captain Lewis in his Voyage up the Missourie; In one Cage , is a living animal, cal’ld the Wild Dog of...
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 24 January 1806, New Orleans. “I have the honor to enclose you a Copy of a statement made me on Oath, by Stephen a free black man; I do not credit it in whole; I however, have no doubt, but that the free people of Color have been tampered with, and that some of them are devoted to the spanish Interest. “Mr. Morales is yet in this City, and should I not an [ sic...
5To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 5 July 1805, New Orleans. “In a former Letter, I advised you of the departure of Captain Carmick for Pensacola with a communication from me to Governor Folch upon the Subject of the Post Road through West Florida. Captain Carmick was detained much longer than was expected, and has returned without Governor Folch’s Answer. A Copy of Captain Carmicks Letter to me...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer Mr. Hopkins was charged with public Despatches (of great importance) to the Secretary of State, and I trust will have safely delivered them, when he presents you with this Letter.— Mr. Hopkins is desirous of obtaining a Commission in the Army of the U. States; He is a young Man of amiable disposition, correct habits, and good Judgment—I can venture, therefore to recommend him to...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I now do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 3rd. of February last. Mr. Reibelt was illy fitted for the Management of Indians, & he might himself to be pleased with the Change. I have recently appointed Mr. Reibelt Parish Judge for the Parish of Avoyelle in this Territory; An Office which is respectable, & which will give him six or seven hundred Dollars per...
8To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 April 1804, New Orleans. “I have nothing interesting to communicate, nor would I write you by this mail, were it not to inform you, that the most perfect good order prevails in this city. I find, the most trifling occurrences here, attract attention to the Northward, and that a disposition exists among some people to give to certain events a consequence they do not merit: To prevent...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your Letter of the 6th. of May, advising me of the additional restraints imposed by Congress on Coasting Vessels, with a view of preventing those evasions of the embargo Laws, which “the worthless part of Society,” have of late so successfully practiced.—Pending the interdiction of our Commercial Intercourse with foreign Nations, it is not probable that...
10To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I shall set out for New-Orleans in two Days, & expect to arrive there on or before the 18th. Instant. Tyler who stands charged with the Crime of Treason, is said to be in the Opelousas District; I have given orders for his Arrest, & will have him conveyed to the Hon’ble the Judge for the District of Orleans, who will I presume order him to be sent to Richmond. John Smith of Ohio, is at Batton...
11To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 7 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 April 1804, New Orleans. “I have received an answer to the letter which I addressed to the Marquis De Casa Calvo on the 28th. ultimo; a translation of the answer and of the documents accompanying it are preparing, and when completed, the originals shall be transmitted to you. It seems La Coquette was fitted out at this place, and was permitted to depart after the receipt of assurances from...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 17 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The legislature having adjourned, I feel my mind relieved from much of that anxiety I lately experienced. I nevertheless am abundantly occupied in my office, and am for the present confined to the City. So soon however as I shall cause the laws passed by the legislature to be printed and distributed, it is my intention to visit the several Counties on and adjacent to the Mississippi, with a...
13To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have been duly honored with the receipt of your letter of the 20th. Ultimo, and am happy to find that my correspondence with the Governor General of Techus, relative to fugitive Slaves, is approved. I am in daily expectation of receiving an answer from Governor Salcedo, and if my propositions are acceded to, I will endeavor to procure the passage of a Law as advised by the President....
14To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 May 1804 (Madison Papers)
I this moment met with the enclosed letter from Mr. Matthew Lyon to his constituents, and I sincerely hope it may be the only Copy that has reached this city. As a Western man, I feel myself under no obligations to Mr. Lyon for his boasted zeal for the Western interest, and although I am not disposed to question the purity of his motives, I am firmly persuaded, that during the last Session, he...
15To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 September 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 September 1804, New Orleans. “From the great havock which the diseases of this Climate, have recently made among Strangers, and the frequent embezzlement of the property of deceased Persons by unprincipled Men, I have been induced to make special provision for the care of the Estates of certain Intestates. A Copy of my Ordinance in this subject is enclosed, and I hope it will meet the...
16To 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...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 18 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter to the Secretary of State, I have given the particulars of the stoppage at Mobile of the American Schooner Ann, bound to Fort St. Stephens with provisions for our Troops.—I am firmly impressed with an opinion, that the Spanish Government is not disposed to extend towards the United States either a just or respectful conduct.—I further believe, that, to obtain for our fellow...
18To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 17 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
The case of the Batture has given rise to a warm Newspaper discussion, which for the present seems wholly to engage the public Mind. New-Orleans has so long been the residence of the Governor of the Territory, that the Inhabitants of that City, or rather some of them, think me culpable in taking a short excursion into the Country. But I am persuaded the President will not object to my retiring...
19To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 July 1804, New Orleans. “I received on this morning an answer to my letter of the 25th instant to the Marquis of Casa Calvo, and having procured a translation thereof, for my own use, I now enclose you the original Copy . “The answer of the Marquis developes in part the views of his court in relation to Louisiana; every exertion has been and will be made to conciliate and perpetuate the...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My Letter of the 12th Instant, acknowledged the receipt of your agreeable favours of the 17th & 18th of July;—Since which I have turned my attention, to the several subjects embraced in Queries relative to Louisiana, and I now lay before you, the result of my inquiries and reflections— 1st. What are the best Maps general or particular of the whole or parts of the Province? Copies of them if to...
21To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
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...
22To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 November 1805, New Orleans. “I enclose you a copy of the answer which the House of Representatives have returned to my address, You will perceive that it is respectful and friendly. I am happy to find that nothing of party spirit has yet been manifested, and I indulge a hope that the Members generally will pursue a conduct which will be approved. “Believing...
23To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
The tranquillity in which I found this province is uninterrupted: and every appearance promises a continuation of it. This is the season of festivity here; and I am pleased to find that the Change of government gives additional spirit to the public amusements. It gives me great satisfaction to learn from every side the favorable inclinations of the people; and their confidence in the justice...
24To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
It is my duty to advise you that slaves escaping from the Territory of the United States to the Province of Taxus, receive the protection of the Spanish Agents, and to suggest the very serious injury which is likely to result therefrom to the Inhabitants of the Territory of Orleans. The enclosure No. 1 is a Copy of a Presentment of a Grand Jury upon this subject, and that No 2 of a Letter...
25To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 26 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
26 March 1805, New Orleans . “I am Honored with the receipt of your Letter of the 25th Ultimo, and shall be particularly attentive to its contents. The Marquis of Casa Calvo is yet in this City, and I believe contemplates remaining for Some time; there at present exists between the Marquis and myself a friendly intercourse, and I shall embrace an early opportunity to make to him the...
26To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 9 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 9 January 1806, New Orleans. “Mr. James Mather, late a Member of the Legislative Council, and now the Judge for the County of la Fourche, writes me under date of the 2d. of January, as follows: ‘The Marquis Casa Calvo remained in this settlement at least 15 days, during which time he principally employed himself in persuading the people—that all this side of the...
27To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 March 1804, New Orleans. “The contents of your private letter gave me great pleasure; the permanent residence of Moralis in Louisiana, I should greatly regret.… “The Marquis De Casa Calvo is the enemy of Moralis, and a hint from me to the Marquis, that Moralis’s removal from Louisiana, would be agreeable, will (I believe) effect the object. “Moralis is a sensible, intrigueing, designing,...
28To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 30 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 September 1803 , “ Near Natchez .” Advised JM in his letter of 7 Sept. that citizens of the Mississippi Territory were surveying lands west of the Mississippi River “with a view … to obtain fraudulent Titles” from Spain. Encloses a copy of his letter to Clark on this subject and Clark’s answer. “It seems that Captain Vidal has no authority to grant Lands or even to authorise a Location, but...
29To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 January 1805, New Orleans. “I now enclose you the Correspondence between the Marquis of Casa Calvo and myself, upon the Subject of his Guard. I had not considered this Guard as an object of serious concern; it was small and for Some time did not seem to excite disquietude among the Citizens. “I was certainly impressed with an opinion that the Marquis could not maintain his Guard as a Matter...
30To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 February 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 12 February 1806, New Orleans. “Captain Ross returned to this City on this morning—and I now enclose for your perusal, a copy of his Report to me.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, TP , Orleans, vol. 8). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner. For enclosure, see n. 1. The enclosure (3 pp.; docketed by Wagner; printed in Carter,...