30361To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 March 1804 (Madison Papers)
Having understood that there were several Parishes or Districts in Louisiana, whose former Commandants had declined acting under the American Government; that the inhabitants were becoming discontented and in some instances that disorders had ensued, I deemed it adviseable immediately to appoint the necessary Civil Officers, and by some verbal communications to endeavor to impress the minds of...
30362To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 3 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 3 June 1806, New Orleans. “I inclose for your perusal a copy of a Manifesto addressed to the People of the Territory and signed by certain members of the legislative Council, and of the House of Representatives. “That this Publication will raise the popular sentiment in favor of the Signers, is perhaps probable; but I am persuaded its effects will soon pass...
30363To James Madison from William C. C. 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...
30364To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last Mail I had time only to acknowledge the receipt of your agreeable favour of the 26th of May; but I now propose replying to it more particularly. There can indeed be no question of Doctor Sibley’s good sense and information, nor do I doubt his zeal for the Public Interest. Of the Private Character of the Doctor, I had no personal knowledge, but it having been attacked here with some...
30365To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 12 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 July 1804, New Orleans. “The letter which was handed to a printer for publication inviting a meeting of the free people of Colour for the purpose of Memorializing Congress, occasioned an inquietude among the White inhabitants which is just now beginning to subside. The Municipality of New-Orleans expressed a wish that I should punish the Mulatto man who handed the letter to the printer with...
30366To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment understood that Messrs. Girod and Chal , Merchants of this City, have addressed a letter to you, complaining “that I had (to their injury & exclusion) recognized in the Baron of Bastrop, an exclusive right to trade with Citizens at Ouacheta and also with the Indians who might visit that post, which privilege had been heretofore granted to the Baron by the King of Spain”;—The...
30367To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 17 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here this evening about 24 hours after the Troops had disembarked. They had favorable weather, and a short passage from Fort Adams. My detention was occasioned by an accident on the River; The Schooner in which I sailed ran aground at Point Coupee; and I had to proceed hither, with the other Gentlemen on board, in a small Boat much crowded and exposed to the weather. I have however...
30368To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
We are assured he[r]e, on the authority of Admiral Cockran, that a treaty of Peace between the United States, and Great Britain was Signed at Ghent on the 24th. of December last, and which treaty being already ratified by the Prince Regent, awaits only the Sanction of the American Government to put an end to hostilities. Taking it for granted that the Conditions are Such as neither to...
30369To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 9 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
In the course of yesterday, and this morning, I have been assured by many Citizens that the ancient Louisianians will very generally resist with firmness the expected attack; I am well assured, that in this City, there are Agents of Col: Burr; but it will be difficult to expose their Agency, and to bring them to punishment; to effect however this great object of public’ Justice, no exertions...
30370To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
My Letter to the Secretary at War, will advise the President, of the Conviction of four Alabama’s of the Crime of Murder; of the execution of two of these unfortunate Men; the Considerations which induced the pardon of the others, and of the good Understanding which promises to exist between the Citizens of this Frontier and the neighbouring Indians. The Office of Attorney General, for this...
30371To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 September 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 September 1804, New Orleans. “I enclose you a petition addressed to me, and signed by a number of respectable Inhabitants of this City: You will discover, there is some apprehension of an Insurrection among the Negro’s, and that much alarm exists. Altho’ I am not myself of opinion, that we are in as eminent danger as the Memorialists seem to think, I have nevertheless taken every means of...
30372To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 18 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Dean who goes to the City of Washington with public dispatches, I do myself the pleasure to transmit you a Map of a part of this Territory.— It is the most correct of any I have seen, and as such is offered for your acceptance. Mr. Deplantier is now in this City, and proposes, without delay, to locate a portion of the lands granted to General La Fayette.— We hope to be enabled to...
30373To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 26 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 26 May 1806, New Orleans. “I this day rejected the Bill, of which a copy was inclosed to you in my letter of the 22. instant. This act of mine has given rise to a proceeding no less unexpected than it is unprecedented and exceptionable. The Council have passed a resolution proposing an immediate dissolution of the assembly; assigning for reason—that the Governor...
30374To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 15 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed is a copy of my address to the two Houses of assembly. On yesterday, General Adair, attended only by a Servant arrived in this City after a rapid journey from Nashville in Tennessee, and was immediately arrested by orders of Genl. Wilkinson, and is now, I learn, on his passage to the City of Washington; several other individuals were also arrested by the military on yesterday, but...
30375To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 31 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 March 1804, New Orleans. “The laws regulating the commerce of Louisiana, have been received here and that which relates to the registering of vessels has given great satisfaction. We have also seen the law providing for a temporary Government in the shape it passed the Senate; the prohibiting the importation of Slaves is a source of great dissatisfaction.” Believes the people will express...
30376To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 11 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
My letter of the 1st. Instant, will have apprised you of my design to set out on a journey to Washington, in the course of next month; unless in the mean time, events should arise, which would render my presence in the Territory essential to the public Interest; or unless it be intimated to me, that my absence at this period would not be agreeable to the President. An Inhabitant of Opellousas...
30377To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 27 August 1805, “Territory of Orleans 150 Miles from New Orleans.” “I passed over to Batton Rouge on Yesterday, and partook of the hospitality of Governor Grandpré: I was introduced into a Fort , where the Governor has resided for several Months, from an apprehension that Kemper and his Associates, still meditate an Attack against his Government. “The Fort of...
30378To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 November 1804 (Madison Papers)
Within a few days past events have occurred here, which I conceive it my duty particularly to represent to you. I have heretofore informed you of the Arrival in this City of Governor Folch and several other Spanish Officers on their return from Baton-Rouge to Pensacola, and that their passage by this route was with my consent. Governor Folch and Suite have now departed, but during their Stay,...
30379To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honour to enclose you a copy of my address to the Legislative Council, and of the answer returned thereto. The meeting of the Council has had already a happy effect; the few Intriguers who have laboured to stop the Wheels of Government are greatly discouraged, and the well disposed Citizens highly satisfied. The only anxiety I now feel is, that the means I resorted to, to form a...
30380To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg you to receive—accompanied with my warm respects—a Treatise written on the Criminal Laws of this Territory. I have the honor to be Your sincere friend— Major Rd. Claiborne takes this opportunity of sending his old and continued affection to Mr. Jefferson. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
30381To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 January 1805, New Orleans. “I have this moment received your Letter of the 15th. December enclosing my Commission as Governor with the approval of the Senate, and Sundry other Commissions for officers of the Territory of Orleans. I am greatly indebted to the Government for their renewed evidence of confidence, and I pray you to be assured that every effort will be used by me, to Support and...
30382To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 26 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
26 March 1805, New Orleans . “Your private Letter of the 14th. of January with its enclosure was duly received. I have not yet attempted to select any additional Members for the Council, inasmuch as few persons here would accept until the issue of the memorial to Congress was ascertained. “Eugene Dorciere, James Mather and George Pollocks Commissions bear Date the 30th of August, and William...
30383To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 April 1806, New Orleans. “The inclosed correspondence between Governor Grand Pré and myself deserves your perusal. I am inclined to think there is no foundation for the information communicated by Governor Grand Pré, and I rather suppose it is resorted to as a pretext for his late measures. “I have no recent intelligence from Nachitoches; At the date of my...
30384To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 25 June 1806, New Orleans. “A few days since, an inhabitant of this Territory, a Spaniard by birth, was arraigned at the Bar of the Superior Court on a charge of murder; and upon his trial was acquitted. This event is only worthy of notice in consequence of a question which arose in the course of the trial, and the decision made thereon. The Counsel for the...
30385To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 7 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 September 1803 , “ Near Natchez .” Has reason to believe “that much of the vacant Land in Louisiana, will be covered by fraudulent grants” before the U.S. takes possession. Don Joseph Vidal, commander of the Spanish post across the river from Natchez, “manifests great solicitude” that his friends in the Mississippi Territory “should possess themselves of Lands in his vicinity .” Has learned...
30386To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 August 1801, Nashville. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s letter of 10 July enclosing his commission as governor of Mississippi Territory. Requests JM to inform president that he accepts appointment. Expects to depart for Mississippi by late September or early October. Letterbook copy ( Ms-Ar : Claiborne Executive Journal). 2 pp. Printed in Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books Dunbar Rowland, ed.,...
30387To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 1 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
1 March 1805, New Orleans . “I received this morning a Visit from the Marquis of Casa Calvo; He came as he said to ask my advice as to the conduct he should pursue to obtain redress for the King his Master against Don Juan Ventura Morales the late Intendant who had exceeded his powers in the case of Peter Villamil, and not accounted properly for certain monies due the King from said Villamil....
30388To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 January 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a copy of the ordinance for establishing a court of Justice in this City, which was alluded to in my last communication. I have only to repeat that this measure was essential to the interests of the City, and was called for by the voice of the society, and I persuade myself that the proceedings of this Tribunal will be marked with justice and moderation. I also...
30389To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 16 May 1806, New Orleans. “Mr. Graham, who visits the United States by permission of the President, will be enabled to satisfy your enquiries with respect to the state of things in this Territory. Mr. Graham departs with my regret; his attachment to the interest of his country, and his private virtues secured him my friendship, while his good sense and prudent...
30390To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 7 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 June 1804, New Orleans. “On my arrival in Louisiana I was frequently applied to by different persons for permission to trade with certain Indian tribes, west of the Mississippi and within the province of Louisiana. “With a view of conciliating the affections of the Indians by preventing unjust and unprincipled men from participating in their trade, I gave instructions to the Commandants of...