Notes on Policy in the West, ca. 1804
Notes on Policy in the West
[ca. 1804]
our policy to fill Orleans
but to draw off from Louisiana, except St. Louis
settlers return to Kasks. from mth. Illinois to Ohio
prevent rigorously squatters in Louisa.
Commandants. to prevent squatters
Indians. toll Cis-Misipians over.
Chickasaws. invite to make settlemt back of St. Louis on the head of St. Francis.—
do every favor to emigrant Chickasaws &c
in time restrain hunting to the emigrants.
Cherokees at St. Francis. encouraged.
Indian commerce.
Ouisconsing. stop English
Sioux
Osages.
nations up Missouri.
explore Osages river to source.
MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27110); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated; on verso of an address sheet in an unidentified hand: “Sam: A. Otis Secretary.”
These notes almost certainly postdate the legislation approved in March 1804 creating Orleans Territory and Louisiana District. Several of the subjects, such as dealing with squatters in upper Louisiana and encouraging members of the major southern Indian nations to settle across the Mississippi River, factored into discussions within the administration during the year (Vol. 43:183-4, 250-1, 256-9, 324-5; Vol. 44:570-2, 596-7).
Moingona river: that is, the Des Moines (Vol. 42:8n).