1To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 29 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
In the exercise of the discretion vested in me, by your letter of the 14th. Ultimo, I have selected the Louisiana Courier, as the most eligible paper in this City, for the publication of the Laws of the present Session of Congress, & have directed the letter of appointment, you enclosed me, to the Editors thereof, Messrs. Thierry & Co. The Louisiana Courier is conducted with some talent and...
2To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 20 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am this moment informed by the Military Agent, that two thousand Regular Troops are ordered to this City; You will excuse me for suggesting it as an object of some importance, that the officer selected for this Command, should possess a disposition and, turn of Mind, calculated to conciliate the Citizens generally, and to preserve a good understanding with the Civil Authorities. Colonel...
3To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 19 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose for your perusal a Copy of the Answer of the Representatives of the Territory, to the address, I had the honor to deliver to the two Houses on the 14th. Instant. This answer, (one Member only having voted against it) may be considered as conveying the political sentiments of the great majority of the people of the Territory; Indeed Sir, the Louisianians are...
4To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 15 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you, a Copy of a letter addressed to me by His Excellency Nemesio Salcedo, Governor General of the Province of Texas communicating his determination to deliver the fugitive Slaves, to the Order of their Masters. The contents of this letter (which were made known to the Parish Judge of Nachitoches by a Spanish officer to whose care it was committed) have diffused...
5To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 8 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosure (No. 1) is a copy of a letter to me from Judge Carr of Nachitoches, and furnishes the latest information concerning the fugitive Slaves: The enclosure (No. 2) is a Copy of my answer. I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect, yo: hble Servt., DNA : RG 59-TP-Territorial Papers, Orleans.
6To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 2 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you a "Memoire" on the subject of the Batture; together with several interesting Documents. The Author Judge Moreau is supposed to be well informed on the Civil Law, & I am persuaded, you will find his Memoire worthy of your perusal. You have enclosed, a Copy of a correspondence (Marked A) between the Mayor of New Orleans, the Wardens of the Port and myself, on the...
7To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 1 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
On the 29th. Ultimo, I transmitted under cover to the Secretary at War, a letter which Mr. Mather, the Mayor of New-Orleans, had addressed to me touching a Conspiracy, which he supposes to exist. Whether there is or is not cause for that apprehension which the Mayor expresses, I cannot yet undertake to say; I have however esteemed it a duty to take some measures of precaution, & with this...
8To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 14 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
The death of Mr. Van Pradelles has left the office of Register of the land office for this District, vacant; On this occasion, I am told, that Judge Lewis, and Mr. Grymes the District Attorney will both be recommended to the President; of these two Gentlemen, I cannot but think Mr. Grymes has the strongest claims for preference. Mr. Lewis is already a Commissioner and a Judge of the Superior...
9To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 18 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Edward Livingston, left this City a few days since for the City of Washington, with a view (as is reported) of having a personal conference with the President of the U. States, on several subjects private & political. Among the former, the case of the Batture will be introduced; among the latter, the acts of General Wilkinson during the winter of 1806, & of Governor Claiborne generally are to...
10To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 23 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Being requested by Governor Folch to forward the inclosed packet, I have taken the liberty to send it under Cover to the Department of State, & must beg the favor of you, to cause it to be placed in the Mail at Washington. On the 17th. Instant, I transmitted to you Copies of the Letters which have passed between Governor Folch and myself on the subject of the Embargo. I am Sir, with great...
11To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 17 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed is a translation of a letter addressed to me by Governor Folch together with a Copy of the answer which (after consulting with the Collector of the District of Orleans) I returned thereto. If an uninterrupted passage for Spanish Vessels to and from Bâton Rouge was permitted; or if the provisions of the Embargo Act, as regards our intercourse with the Inhabitants of the Florida’s be...
12To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 17 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
General Moreau & Governor Folch continue in this City, and have contracted a great intimacy; perhaps their objects may be perfectly innocent, but I am not without my suspicions . I know not when Moreau will depart; at one time, he proposed taking a passage in the first Vessel for Charleston; at another, he designed passing by Land, the nearest and best route to Georgia and from thence thro’...
13To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 1 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
On yesterday I was told by Mr. Desforgues the french Consul, that General Moreau had taken his passage for Charleston, and would sail on the 4th. of this month; But on this morning I have understood, that his voyage is postponed for twenty days. It seems by the Northern papers, that Moreau’s visit hence, has excited some uneasiness, and late private letters from Washington state, that even the...
14To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 18 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a Copy of an Address which I delivered on this day to the Legislative Council & House of Representatives of this Territory. I trust you will not suppose, that I have been too pointed in my concluding remarks; many of those deluded or wicked men, who so lately combined against the Peace and happiness of our Country, have found it convenient to return to this...
15To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 21 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I some days ago had a conferrence with Governor Folch on the subject referred to in my letters of the 23d. and 24th. ultimo; and I find that the refusal of a passage for our Troops by the way of Mobile to Fort Stoddart does not arise from any conduct of the Executive of this Territory towards the Agents or Vessels of the King of Spain; on the contrary, Governor Folch acknowledged his line of...
16To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 24 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
My friend Mr. Graham has this moment informed me, that he forwards by this mail, his resignation, and requests that a Successor may be speedily named. I sincerely regret the resignation of Mr. Graham; he is indeed a Loss to the Government; but since his determination is fixed, I felicitate myself with a hope, that I may find in his Successor, as honest a man, and as faithful a public officer....
17To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 24 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Governor Folch, accompanied by two or three Spanish officers arrived in this City last Evening. I shall have a conference with him on this day, and will endeavor to make some arrangements as to the difficulties referred to in my letter of the 21. instant. I am Sir, very respectfully, Your hble Servt. DNA : RG 59-TP-Territorial Papers, Orleans.
18To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 21 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Governor Folch of Pensacola has recommenced his unfriendly proceedings towards the US. He has refused a passage to the American troops by the way of Mobile to Fort Stoddart, and threatens to oppose them with force of arms. The commerce also of the U. S. on the Mobile continues subject to detention and embarrassment; duties are exacted, even on the Military Stores of the US, as will appear by...
19To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 27 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
General Wilkinson continues to be much abused in this City, and nothing will be left undone, by a Party here, to effect his ruin. This faction are equally inimical to me, but for purposes best known to themselves, they do not, for the present, manifest as openly their hostility. During the late interesting Crisis, I resorted to a measure of precaution which I have not heretofore communicated...
20To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 27 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of two Addresses signed by many respectable Citizens of this Territory, approving the late conduct of General Wilkinson and myself. I am dear Sir, With great esteem and respect, your hble Servt. DNA : RG 59-TP-Territorial Papers, Orleans.
21To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 23 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you a Memorial to Congress, as reported by a Committee of the House of Representatives of this Territory, but which has been rejected by the House; there being fourteen Members in favour of the rejection, and seven against it. This Memorial is founded in error, and it is greatly to be regreted, that any Citizens of this Territory, much less a Committee of the Legislature, could...
22To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 20 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Your private letter of the 26th. Jany. has been received, and I lost no time in acquainting Mr. Duplantier, (by letter) of your sentiments relative to the location of the Lands of General Lafayette, and which I am persuaded will regulate his conduct. I am Dear Sir; with respect and Esteem yo: hble Servt. DNA : RG 59-TP-Territorial Papers, Orleans.
23To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 11 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Graham having returned, and the state of things being now such, as to admit of my absence from the Territory, I shall avail myself of the President’s permission, and will leave this for the United States about the last of April or the first of May. The conspiracy seems now at an end; but General Wilkinson and myself, are encountering here much abuse, for the conduct which we pursued; for...
24To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 6 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I fear I was greatly deceived in the character which was given me of a Mr. Hopkins, a young man who was the bearer of my dispatches of the 5. & 6. of December last. I have heard, from good authority that he lost by gaming some money at Natchez and behaved otherwise imprudently. His indiscretions were renewed at Nashville; and I fear it is true that he is undeserving of confidence: While...
25To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 3 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
Lieut. Gains of fort Stoddard has arrested Burr and forwarded him under an escort, to the City of Washington, where the subtle Traitor, will I trust meet the punishment due his Crimes. I find that much censure is attached to the measures of General Wilkinson by some Members of Congress, and that the Machinations of Burr, are by them, considered as of little moment; I however, as an American...
26To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 28 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I was advised by a private Letter from Mobile, under date of the 20th. Inst, of the arrest of Mr. Burr, by Lieut Gains the Officer commanding at Fort Stoddart; I was at first disposed to credit the information; but no official Communication upon the Subject having been received, I am inclined to think the Report unfounded. By a Vessel 19 days from New-York, we have papers from Washington to...
27To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 26 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this day received your private letter of the 17th. Ultimo, acknowledging the receipt of my communications of the 9th. of December. The course Mr. Burr has taken in his flight is not ascertained; I learn however by a Gentleman from the Mississippi Territory that the general opinion there, was, that Burr was concealed at Natchez, where his adherents are said to be numerous. My opinion is...
28To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 20 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
Previous to the receipt of this letter, you will have heard of the escape of Col. Burr from the Mississippi Territory, and of the reward offered by Governor Williams for his apprehension. The reports are variant as to the course Colo: Burr may pursue in his flight. One conjecture is, that he is making to the sea Coast, & from thence to Europe; another, that he has gone to the City of...
29To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 6 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
I learn that Colo. Burr’s associates are daily arriving in the Mississippi Territory, and that among them are Blannerhasset & Tyler; I learn also, that Aaron Burr has had the address to make many good Citizens believe that he is an innocent & persecuted man, & that the real traitor is General James Wilkinson, whom he (Burr) denounces as "an Enemy to the U. States, & a Spanish Pensioner". I...
30To James Madison from William Charles Coles Claiborne, 29 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you the answers which have been returned by the two houses of the assembly to my address of the 13th. Instant; you will perceive by these documents, that the Legislature partake in a great measure, of that agitation which at present pervades the public’ mind; & that altho’ the measures lately pursued here with a view to the public safety, are not openly censured,...