21To 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...
22To 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,...
23To 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...
24To 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...
25To 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...
26To 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...
27To 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....
28To 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...
29To 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,...
30To 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...