To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 8 September 1803
From Isaac Briggs
Washington, near Natchez
Mississippi Territory
8th. of the 9th. Month 1803.
My dear Friend,
On the 12th. of the month just past, I arrived at Natchez;—on the day following I waited on Governor Claiborne, who had provided for me an office in this place, and from whom I have experienced the highest proofs of friendship. In a few days after my arrival here, I was attacked with an intermittent fever; a greater prostration of strength, than I ever remember to have felt, was the consequence, yet so perfect has been my recovery, that I believe I never was in better health than at present.
It appears to me probable that not less than thirty millions of acres in the Territory of Louisiana will be hereafter claimed, under fraudulent, antedated Spanish Grants, issued since information has arrived here, of the cession of that Territory to the United States, and under privileges of pre-emption for surveys made since the knowledge of that event. May I propose to the consideration of the President the expediency of sending an Agent to take possession of that Territory, and to stop such unfair practices, without a moments unnecessary delay? On the subject of these peculations, I have written fully to the Secretary of the Treasury.
I write to the President, with the freedom, the sincerity, and, let me add, the affection of a real friend—in consideration of my motive, pardon me if I presume too much.
The appointment, of Thomas Rodney and Robert Williams esquires as commissioners, is very popular here, and has given, I believe, universal satisfaction. I cannot say so, of the appointment of Edward Turner esquire. I have not heard any member of the families to which he is allied speak on the subject; but it has been a topic of conversation every where, and in every company in which I have been; and expressions of regret are universal, I believe, without a single exception. I am told he is son-in-law to Colonel Cato West, and nephew to Thomas M. Green esq.—the family-connexions of these two men are said to be very numerous, and very deeply interested in those land-claims, on which the Commissioners are to decide. His moral reputation, I believe, stands fair; but he is represented as young and inexperienced. Republicans and Federalists equally disapprove this appointment: no appointment of a person resident in this Territory would be popular. The Republicans conjecture that the President has been misinformed respecting this young man’s suitableness for the station. The Federalists surmise, and the leading ones are industrious to fix it as a general belief, that this appointment has been made in consequence of Governor Claiborne’s recommendation.
I have no personal dislike to this young man nor to any of his connexions—(I know neither him nor them, except by report)—such a sentiment forms no part of my motive for giving the above information—my sole motive for it is, friendship for the President. As I wish to live in peace with all men, I hope this communication will be considered in confidence. Were I in this young man’s precise situation, I would resign: For I imagine, if he continues in it, it will render him an object of almost popular hatred.
I am, with the utmost sincerity thy friend
Isaac Briggs
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Pr. U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received on 2 Oct. and so recorded in SJL.
In a letter to the secretary of the treasury, also dated 8 Sep. 1803, Briggs reported the prevalence of “practices highly fraudulent and injurious to the United States” in the newly acquired Louisiana Territory. Specifically, “a vast number of Adventurers” were surveying large quantities of land on the west side of the Mississippi River, which Spanish officers were claiming and disposing of at prices as low as ten cents per acre. Even some respectable citizens of Mississippi, Briggs added, “have been invited to a participation in this harvest of iniquity,” with offers of valuable land at cheap prices and assurances of good titles, which Briggs implied to mean “antedated Spanish Grants.” Knowing that similar transactions occurred in the Mississippi Territory in the interim between the signing of the Pinckney Treaty of 1795 and the territory’s evacuation by the Spanish, Briggs suggests “an easy solution of the Mystery by which this Peculation will be veiled:—The warrant of survey, the Surveyor’s certificate, and the final Grant, will bear concurrent date, prior to the Cession of Louisiana to France.” Briggs has been informed that most of the surveyors are Spanish officers and their assistants Spanish soldiers, all of whom will leave Louisiana with the Spanish government. “I therefore apprehend,” Briggs wrote, “that for any tribunal hereafter to discriminate between the just and the fraudulent claim, will be difficult, even if Oral testimony be admitted, but if, to its exclusion, the Spanish record be paramount evidence, impossible” (, 8:664-5).
edward turner had been appointed register of the land office at Natchez after being recommended by Thomas Marston Green and John Breckinridge. TJ removed him in 1804 (Robert V. Haynes, The Mississippi Territory and the Southwest Frontier, 1795-1817 [Lexington, Ky., 2010], 80-1; Vol. 40:59, 60n).