31To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My official Letters to the Secretary of State , have advised you, of Mr. Livingston’s exertions to promote a Memorial to Congress , the object of which is to obtain the immediate recognition of Louisiana as a Member State of the Union. Mr. Livingston is supported by Messrs. Evan Jones and Daniel Clark, and there is no doubt but they will be joined by many french Inhabitants.—I have not seen...
32To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 29 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with real concern I announce to you, the death of my esteemed friend H. B. Trist. He died this morning of a malignant yellow fever, after an illness of five days. The loss of this citizen is a public misfortune, and will occasion much private distress:—He was faithful to the trust with which you honored him, and had he lived a few years longer, would have made ample provision for the...
33To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 30 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
During my late Illness, I had the pleasure to receive your esteemed favours of the 7h., 12h and 17h. of July;—But being then unable to write, I requested my private Secretary Mr. Briggs to inform you of their receipt, and to forward to you, the Names of several Gentlemen as suitable Characters for the Legislative Council.—I regret exceedingly the miscarriage of your Letter to me of the 17th....
34To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been informed that Doctor John Watkins had declined the appointment of Surgeon to the garrison of New Orleans, permit me to name to you Doctor Oliver H. Spencer as qualified in the opinion of those who know him to fill that Station. Doctor Spencer is a young man of promising talents: his skill, industry and attention in the practise of medecine and his amiable deportment in private life...
35To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last letter to you, I have greatly recovered my health, and I have the pleasure to add, that Mrs. Claiborne is now pronounced by her Physicians to be out of danger.—The fever continues to prevail here; but within a few days it has assumed a milder shape, and in several instances has yielded to medicine. The mortality during the last month was principally confined to Strangers;—but on...
36To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 13 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have filled up the blank Commissions , which you committed to my Care, with the name of John Thibaut of New-Orleans, & I now enclose the Bond he has given, and the Oaths he has taken & subscribed , in manner as the Law directs.— Mr. John Thibaut is a Native Frenchman, and was highly recommended to me as a Man of Integrity and Information; He resided four years in the U. States, & for the...
37To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 18 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This City continues the Seat of Disease:—On the 16th. Instant died of the prevailing fever, my private Secretary Joseph Briggs; on yesterday Mr. John Gelston late of New-York, and on this Morning Mr. Benjamin West late of Philadelphia.— My own family is heavily afflicted; Mrs. Claiborne continues ill, and her Brother (Mr. Lewis) is expected to die in the course of the Day.—The distress of the...
38To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recently experienced the heaviest of Afflictions.—It has pleased Allmighty God to call to the abodes of Rest my whole family.—On the evening of the 25th. Instant my only Child , a sweet little Daughter near three years of Age, breathed her last, and on the morning ensuing Mrs. Claiborne closed a Life , with the continuance of which my happiness was intimately connected.—Every medical...
39To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Mail, I could only acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favour of the 30th. August;—But I shall now do myself the pleasure to reply to it more particularly. On receiving the Appointment of Governor of this Territory, I feel sensibly the honor confered, and shall be the more solicitous to deserve a Continuance of your Confidence;—I am however firmly persuaded that the office...
40To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 22 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last Letter , I have filled the Blank in the Marshalls commission, with the Name of Francis Joseph Le’Breton Dorgonoy, and administered to him the Oaths of Office.—This Gentleman is a Native of Louisiana; an independent Farmer, and possessing (as is stated to me) inflexible Integrity. Mr. Dorgonoy is also an American in sentiment and feeling; he has of late given umbrage to some...