From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 February 1804
To Henry Dearborn
Feb. 17. 04.
Th:J. to Genl. Dearborne
Altho’ the communication of the within to me might be considered as confidential, yet it is so important that Wilkerson’s maneuvres should be understood that I send it for your perusal, in confidence also. he is turning on us the batteries of our friends in aid of his own. the business of the Commission terminated on the 16th. of Jan. when the order for the upper posts was given, as that compleated the delivery of possession. how long his military duties may keep him there you can best judge. but in my opinion he should understand that his powers as Commr. terminated with the delivery of the last1 order, and that he should be brought away as soon as possible, or I should not wonder if some disturbance should be produced to keep him there. be so good as to return the inclosed immedly. affectte. salutations.
PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the War Department. Enclosure not found.
order for the upper posts: on 16 Jan., in accordance with instructions from Dearborn and Madison, William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson sent orders to Captain Amos Stoddard at Kaskaskia regarding the transfer and occupation of upper Louisiana. Stoddard was first to act as France’s commissioner for receiving the province from Spain, then as the agent of the United States to take charge of “the several Posts, Territories & Dependencies” that had been transferred from France to the United States. Until Congress made provision for a permanent government, Stoddard was to exercise both the civil and the military functions formerly exercised by the Spanish commandants. Such functions, however, were to be kept “carefully separated & distinct.” To that end, Claiborne commissioned Stoddard civil commandant at St. Louis, while instructions regarding military affairs were to come from the “Commander in chief of the American Troops.” Arriving at St. Louis on 24 Feb., Stoddard formally received upper Louisiana from Spain in the name of the French Republic on 9 Mch., then assumed control for the United States the following day (Glimpses of the Past, 2 [1934-35], 80-2, 92, 95-7; Vol. 41:632-5).
1. Word interlined.