RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Dec. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Sibley & James Read to be employed in Louisiana”; also endorsed by TJ: “Sibley Dr. John. emploimt. Louisiana. perhaps Surgeon. Natchitoches.” Enclosures: (1) James Read to Stone, Wilmington, North Carolina, 8 Nov., noting that after he pays his debts, he will have “little Property left”; he plans to go to Louisiana and requests that Stone “procure for me an elligable appointment to that place” (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Read James to David Stone. to be empld. in Louisiana”). (2) John Sibley to Stone, Natchitoches, “250 Miles up red River in Louisiana,” 8 Oct., noting that he was in Louisiana when news of the cession arrived; he fears that “some efforts might be made to exchange the Floridas for that part of Louissiana west of the Missisippi,” but if that happens it will be from “a want of proper information”; he is anxious to convey “Historical & Geographical Sketches of this country” to Stone, Senator Jesse Franklin, and others in Congress, but “Jealousey” of the government renders “communications somewhat difficult”; he plans to send Governor Claiborne information useful to the government; he sent a detailed account to Fayetteville and requested that his son, George C. Sibley, transmit a copy of it to Stone, who may share it with the president or secretary of state, if he thinks proper; Sibley wishes to settle at Natchitoches and seeks an office under the new government; Stone and Franklin can vouch for his “republican Principles and attachment to the Present administration”; his knowledge of the French language will give him a great advantage; he thinks a small military force will be necessary at first in the territory “or they will not respect the government,” not because there is opposition to the cession, but because the “Government has always been a Military One” (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Sibley Dr John”).