From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 December 1803
To Thomas Mann Randolph
Washington Dec. 19. 03.
Dear Sir
The post of last night brings us agreeable information from New Orleans & Natchez. Genl. Wilkinson arrived at N. Orleans from Mobille Nov. 25. settled immediately with Laussat all the circumstances of the delivery, & proceeded next day to Fort Adams, where he would arrive on the 30th. & expect to meet Claiborne there ready for embarcation. on the 29th. Laussat demanded possession of the Spanish officers, who instantly agreed to deliver the place1 on the next day (30th.) at Noon, & every thing was arranged for that purpose. Laussat meant to garrison the forts with militia, & to appoint a person to every office civil & military to take the place of the Spanish incumbents. in all this he acted in concert with Clarke, mixing many Americans in the offices, & giving the command of the militia to a friend of Clarke’s. Claiborne embarked 100. militia Dec. 1 from Natchez2 for Fort Adams, & set out Dec. 2. by land for the same place, expecting to fall in with & carry on to that place 80. militia more. he would find Wilkinson there with all the regulars ready for embarcation, which probably took place on the 3d. or 4th. & they would arrive at N. Orleans the 6th. or 7th. if on the 6th. we shall hear of it Christmas night; if not till the 7th. we shall not hear it till the night of New year’s day. the Marquis of Casa Calva had ordered the barracks to be got ready to recieve & accomodate our troops, and proposed to embark all his own, the moment he had delivered the place, on board an armed vessel then lying ready to recieve them: so that they will be gone before the arrival of our troops. Laussat would hold the government about a week. this is for yourself & mr Eppes. my tender love to my dear Martha & Maria, and all the young ones, & affectionate salutations to yourself & mr Eppes.
Th: Jefferson
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “T M Randolph.” PrC (MHi); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
post of last night: the State Department evidently received communications of 28 and 29 Nov. from Daniel Clark and of 2 Dec. from William C. C. Claiborne. In the first of two letters of the 29th, Clark, who distrusted the intentions of French prefect Pierre Clément laussat, indicated his disapproval of the replacement of officers in New Orleans but also Laussat’s willingness to allow Clark to substitute candidates for those Laussat had previously chosen. In addition to naming Joseph Deville de Goutin Bellechasse, Clark’s friend, head of the local militia, Laussat created a temporary municipal government consisting of a mayor, two mayor-adjuncts, a secretary general, and a 12-member council (Pierre Clément Laussat, Arreté pour l’établissement de l’autorité municipale a la Nouvelle-Orléans [New Orleans, 1803]; , 9:112-14, 123-5; , Sec. of State Ser., 6:106-7, 111-13, 127).
1. Preceding two words interlined in place of “it.”
2. Preceding two words interlined.