Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 28 May 1805

From Albert Gallatin

28 May 1805

Dear Sir

The last paragraph of the enclosed letter seems to confirm the hints that Great Britain had not succeeded in forming any efficient alliance on the Continent.

There is an act passed by the legislative council of Orleans for dividing the Territory into Counties; which, if it has been received either by you or by the Department of State would assist in dividing the two land districts. It will be necessary to establish it soon as Mr. Thomson has accepted & writes that he will be on the spot in July.

By a sketch of the revenue (impost) for 1804, I find that after deducting the

drawbacks, debentures, bounties, expences of collection it amounts to 13,180,000
That of 1803 was only (in which our estimates are founded) 11,310,000
making an increase of 1,870,000
which arises from the following items vizt.
New Orleans revenue 270,000
light Money & specific duties for six months at most 100,000
Mediterranean fund for six months 470,000
natural & war increase 1,100,000
1,940,000
deduct increased expences of collection 70,000
Increases as above 1,870,000

Our receipts have not, however, kept altogether pace this year with that apparent increase, owing principally to the great re-exportations this year of articles imported last season.

 The gross revenue of N. Orleans has been for the three last quarters of 1804— 232,576
add for another quarter 68,000
Makes for the whole year. 300,000

The first quarter of 1804 gave but 34,000 dollars under the Spanish duties & regulations. Our laws commenced on 1st April.

With great respect and attachment Your obed. Sert.

Albert Gallatin

RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 28 May and “Orleans counties. finance” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not identified, but see below.

any efficient alliance: in May 1805, a number of newspapers printed an account detailing the uncertain state of British negotiations with Sweden and Russia (Aurora, 3 May).

On 10 Apr., William C. C. Claiborne approved an act that divided Orleans Territory into twelve counties (Acts Passed at the First Session of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Orleans [New Orleans, 1805], 144-209).

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