30511To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 19 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
19 May 1805, “On the Missisippi .” “I am this moment informed, that the Marquis of Cassa Yrujo is greatly interested in the Florida Speculation, or in other words, that, he has either accepted or purchased a portion of the Lands East of the Missisippi which were recently sold by Moralis. I am not at liberty to name the Gentleman who has given me this information; from certain considerations he...
30512To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of the 3d. instant, I am completely disappointed in my contemplated visit to the United States; I had made all the arrangements for my departure, and even taken my passage—when the unexpected summons for Mr. Graham, as a witness in Burr’s trial, rendered my continuance in the Territory indispensible. I regret the disappointment the more on account of the ill health of Mrs....
30513To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 19 January 1805 (Madison Papers)
I feel myself bound in duty to myself and the Government I have the Honour to serve, to forward to you the enclosed papers containing some severe strictures on my late administration, general public character and private manners; and I hope I shall be excused for offering some observations on the principal matters of accusation. I trust the Executive will not readily believe, that the Affairs...
30514To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 13 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 13 January 1806, New Orleans. “The enclosure No. 1 is the translation of a letter from Mr. Morales to me, and that, No. 2, of my answer. You will perceive my determination not to be drawn into a discussion. “I have the pleasure to inform you that the most perfect order at present prevails, and I have no doubt but I shall be able to preserve it. “The regular...
30515To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
About 20 minutes since, I received a Letter from my friend Docter Sibley, enclosing me a Map of the Country West of the Mississippi, which I hasten to forward to you:—The Doctor’s Letter contains much useful Information, & therefore I have taken the liberty to transmit it for your perusal & must beg you to receive it in confidence.— The Northern Mail is now closing, and the Post-Master allows...
30516To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 27 November 1805, New Orleans. “Mr. Cobourn has not Yet arrived in this City, and it is apprehended, that he either has or will decline accepting the Commission which has been offered him. “The Economy observed in the Salaries of the Judicial officers of this Territory, will I fear effect the respectability of our Judiciary; The Compensation of a Supreme Judge...
30517To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last Letter , I have endeavoured to inform myself of such vacant Land which from quality and situation was the most valuable. I have sought information upon this subject, from several old Inhabitants, but more particularly from Don Carlos Trudeau late Surveyor General of Louisiana, a man of some Science, great integrity of Character, and possessing much local knowledge.— Mr. Trudeau...
30518To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 27 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 October 1804, New Orleans. “In my Letter of the 16th. Instant, I mentioned only six offices that might properly be considered as lucrative; Perhaps to those, I ought to have added the Attorney General for the Province, the Physician for the Port of New-Orleans, the Secretary to the Municipality, and three Vendue Masters or Auctioneers, all of whom are commissioned by the Governor, although...
30519To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 23 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a plan of the City of New-Orleans. It will shew you the situation and extent of the commons claimed by the City, and also of the vacant Land on the Canal of Carondulet, which I alluded to in my Letter of yesterday. I am Dr Sir, With great respect Your faithful friend RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as...
30520To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 October 1804, New Orleans. “On yesterday I was informed by a Mr. Dubourg, a respectable Merchant of this City, that a Vessel of his with 40 Negroes on board had entered the Mississippi, Since the 1st. of October; that these Negroes belonged to his Father & another Inhabitant of Louisiana; that owing to contrary winds, & bad weather the vessel was prevented entering the Mississippi untill...
30521To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 21 July 1806, “120 Miles from New Orleans.” “I received on yesterday your private letter of the Ultimo [not found]. “It affords me pleasure to learn, that our differences with England are likely to be brought to an amicable issue, and I persuade myself that we shall be equally fortunate in our negociation with Spain. I must confess however, that on this point...
30522To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 8 June 1806, New Orleans. “On yesterday the legislature of this Territory adjourned sine die. Previous to the adjournment, a Committee composed of the President of the Council, and Speaker of the House of Representatives attended the Executive for the purpose of enquiring whether he had any further communications to make to the two Houses. To this Committee I...
30523William C. C. Claiborne to Thomas Jefferson, 17 May 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Colo: Liblong late an Officer in the Spanish service, and one of the most respectable and Antient Inhabitants of this City, I have the honor to enclose for your acceptance, a Tragedy in manuscript, of which the Colonel is himself the Author.—I do not know, that this production as relates to the stile & manner, possesses any peculiar merit; But when we bear in mind, that the...
30524To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 October 1804, New Orleans. “I enclose you a copy of a letter which I addressed to the Marquis of Casa Calvo on the 9th instant, relating to the continuance of certain Spanish Officers in this Territory, as also a translation of his answer. “I am persuaded that these foreigners are not well disposed to the interest of the U. States, and I thought it a duty to express my disapprobation to...
30525To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 20 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 20 August 1805, New Orleans . “Mr. Moralis has at length acceeded to my wishes, And given an assurance in writing, that ‘during his residence in this Territory no further Sales of Lands west of the Perdido shall be made by him’; nor will ‘he complete the Titles for Land heretofore contracted for under the Spanish Government, and which lie within the Limits...
30526To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 14 October 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From William C. C. Claiborne. 14 October 1805, New Orleans. “The Marquis of Casa Calvo has communicated to me his intention of passing by way of the Bayou Laforche and the River Tache to the Sea, and from thence to the Mouth of the Sabine, which River he proposes to ascend as far as the Old Post of Adais. In making this excursion, the Marquis states that he has two objects in view; the one,...
30527To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 2 June 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 June 1804, New Orleans. “I received on last evening a letter from Governor Folch of Pensacola, of which the enclosed No. 1 is a translation, and returned on this morning, an answer, of which the enclosure No. 2. is a copy. I was much disposed to have answered Governor Folch’s letter with some asperity, but thinking that, a Conciliatory Style, would be more agreeable to the Executive, I...
30528To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 15 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now in the County of Acadia and my Indisposition having assumed a more serious aspect, I shall avail myself of the hospitality of Mr. Barranger, and continue with him, until my fever (which is still slight) shall have left me. Mr. Barrangers farm is in a high state of cultivation, & his Improvements greatly surpass those of any other Citizen; his house is commodious; built of brick, and...
30529To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 10 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 April 1804, New Orleans. “Last Sunday I made a visit to the Convent in this City and was received by the Nuns with every mark of respect. “To an affectionate and complimentary Address, which was presented me, I returned an answer a Copy of which is enclosed. “I am much pleased with this institution; the Nuns have uniformly supported the most amiable character and the education of female...
30530To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 21 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 December 1802, “ Near Natchez .” The legislature met at Washington [Mississippi Territory] on 5 Dec. Encloses a copy of the address he delivered on 8 Dec. to an assembly of both houses “together with the answers returned.” David Ker received his commission “by the last mail” and has undertaken his official duties. Ker’s appointment has satisfied “ a great portion ” of the citizenry, and he...
30531To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne (Abstract), 24 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
C. Claiborne. 24 March 1805, New Orleans . “The disposition on the part of the Catholicks of this Territory (which I mentioned in my last Letter) to assume the prerogative of electing their own Priests, is extending itself. On yesterday, I was informed by the Civil Commandant of the District of St: Bernard, that a Priest who had been superseded by the Vicar General, had assaulted his Successor...
30532To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 30 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
Finding Mrs. Claiborne’s Health much impaired, and being apprehensive that a residence here during the summer might, endanger her life, I propose leaving this City (with my family) for the Mississippi Territory in the course of the Day. I shall myself continue in the vicinity of Natchez for four or five Days only, & expect to return to New Orleans on or before the 20th. August. I am not yet...
30533To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 11 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 April 1804, New Orleans. “The inflam’atory address (enclosed you in my letter of the 8th. instant) is very generally censured, and I have been requested by a number of respectable citizens to offer a reward for the discovery of this incendiary and (when discovered) to punish him with severity. Lest however, a consequence might be attached to this unimportant affair both here and in the...
30534To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 September 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 September 1804, New Orleans. “I enclose you a communication, which I have this Day received from the Commandant of the District of Nachitoches. I fear some of the Indian Tribes West of the Missisippi are disposed to be troublesome, and if as is stated, they are encouraged by the Spaniards to war against the U. States, there is no doubt, but the Lives and property of the Citizens on our...
30535To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly Letter of the 13th. of last Month, I had the honor to receive, on the 1st. Instant, accompanied with a Letter from the Secretary of State, enclosing me a Commission, as Governor of the Mississippi Territory.—I acknowledge with Gratitude, my Obligations to you, for this high proof of Confidence and Esteem, and, I trust, that every Act of my public Life, will evince my great...
30536To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 1 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to receive yours of the 18th. of March, covering the complaint of M. Baudin , whose goods were siezed in execution at the suit of M. Labie; and I pray you to accept my thanks for this additional proof of the confidence which you are pleased to repose in me. I have already announced to the Department of State the establishment of a Court for the dispatch of Judicial business in...
30537To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A few Days ago, near 300 Spanish Troops were embarked for Pensacula; about 70 Spanish Soldiers are yet in this City & between 12 & 16 officers; the former it is said will be removed in a short time and many of the latter contemplate resigning and settling in Louisiana. The Liberality of Congress in extending Register to Vessels owned by Citizens of Louisiana, has given great satisfaction, &...
30538To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 6 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 November 1802 , “ Near Natchez .” “The embarrassment of our trade at N: Orleans, still continues, private letters state, that American produce may be landed by paying a duty of 6 pCent, but not otherwise.” Encloses an extract in Spanish [not found] from the intendant’s proclamation, as “the translation, which was sent you is sufficiently faithful, but does not possess the strength of the...
30539To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 24 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 May 1804, New Orleans. “In my letter of the 24th. of January I mentioned the agitation in the public mind which the case of St. Julien (on a charge of murder) had occasioned here, and the line of conduct I had pursued. I now enclose the translation of a late letter to me from the Marquis of Casa Calvo on this subject (No. 1), and a copy of my answer (No. 2.). A copy of the Prefect’s...
30540To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 5 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
A Paragraph in a Newspaper, which was handed me on yesterday by a friend, has given me much Inquietude. It is there stated, that in the List of Balances reported to Congress, as having been due for the last three years, a considerable amount is attached to my Name. It cannot be, that the Accounts & Vouchers, I have from time to time transmitted to the Government are examined, or no Balance or...