Being class’d with the friends to the present administration, I have felt it my duty to make confidentially to the executive department of the Government for the benefit of the United states, the communication herewith sent—And I feel the more warranted in doing this from the respectful manner in which my name has by various characters of high respectability been mentioned to your Excellency—

It may be a question with some whether in a Territory standing in the relation of Louisiana to the United States the public opinion of the territory ought to be consulted in framing the laws necessary for its temporary Government before it shall have progressed to an independent state Government—If the people are entitled to be heard, it ought to be thro’ proper representatives with a vote on every point which might relate to the interest of the Territory and the representation ought to be fairly and legally made—otherwise individuals may have it in their power to state as the public wish, what the people never desired and laws may be imposed which may prove obnoxious to the major part to be governed by them

I allude to the late memorial which has gone forward to congress and which is alledged to contain the sentiments of a majority of the Inhabitants of the District of Louisiana—whether this allegation is true or false may be seen by a brief account of the rise, progress and change of opinions in this Country. My communication is confidentially made because a publication might tend to prejudice those characters against me, whose interests it might affect—and that in a Country where in a great measure on the good opinion of the public my living depends—

I have the honor to be, Sir with high consideration Your most obedt and Most humble servant