Dearborn had written to William C. C. Claiborne on 1 July regarding reports that Spain still retained outposts in Orleans Territory on the Red River near Natchitoches. Replying on 11 Aug., Claiborne identified the sites as a “Small Settlement” on Bayou Pierre about 30 miles from Natchitoches and the “old Post” of Los Adaes, which it was rumored Spain intended to reoccupy. Claiborne conferred with the Marqués de Casa Calvo and requested the evacuation of Bayou Pierre and delivery of Los Adaes to the United States. Casa Calvo, however, understood that the sites lay within the province of Texas. If his pending expedition to locate the boundary between Louisiana and Texas found otherwise, “they would be immediately delivered” (Terr. Papers description begins Clarence E. Carter and John Porter Bloom, eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1934–75, 28 vols. description ends , 9:458-9; Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books description begins Dunbar Rowland, ed., The Official Letter Books of W. C. C. Claiborne, 1801–1816, Jackson, Miss., 1917, 6 vols. description ends , 3:162-4).

Caddo: John Sibley wrote to the War Department on 9 Aug. regarding “Chiefs of certain Tribes visiting the Seat of Government &c.” The letter was received on 24 Sep. but has not been found (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). On 17 Oct., Dearborn informed Sibley that the president wished him to “encourage a few of the Principal Chiefs of some of the considerable Tribes or Nations to make a visit to the seat of Government;—and, if practicable, to induce the Great Chief of the Caddos to be of the party.” Dearborn enclosed a blank passport for the delegation and also Sibley’s commission as agent for tribes in Orleans Territory west of the Mississippi River (Terr. Papers description begins Clarence E. Carter and John Porter Bloom, eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1934–75, 28 vols. description ends , 9:514-16).

James Wilkinson wrote to Dearborn from St. Louis on 10 Aug. with observations on Louisiana Territory. He recommended establishing a military post on the Platte River at the Pawnees’ towns, another on the Wisconsin River to regulate commerce with Canada, and a third at the mouth of the Minnesota River (“River St. Peire”), where “certain Canadian traders, are commencing an Establishment.” He also suggested appointing Louis Lorimier “as a Sub Agent of Indian concerns.” Wilkinson described Lorimier as highly influential among the Delawares and Shawnees in Louisiana and potentially useful in attracting other Native Americans to the new territory. After submitting correspondence from Wilkinson to the president, Dearborn wrote to him on 16 Oct. and stated that establishing the new military posts would not be “prudent” at the time, although those suggested for the upper Mississippi River might prove “proper and highly useful.” Dearborn encouraged Wilkinson to take “effectual measures for recruiting” and filling the companies under his command “to their full complement.” He also enclosed a commission appointing Lorimier “a Sub Agent to the Nations of Indians, residing in the Territory of Louisiana” (same, 13:182-6, 239-40; commission for Louis Lorimier, 16 Oct. 1805, DNA: RG 75, LSIA).

In a letter to Dearborn of 26 Aug., William Henry Harrison recommended procuring all Piankashaw lands “between the Wabash and the lands ceded by the Kaskaskias Treaty” and promised that such an acquisition by the United States could be made “in ten days after I shall receive your instructions.” Dearborn replied on 11 Oct. and, by the direction of the president, instructed Harrison “to close a bargain, as soon as it can be effected, with the Piankashaws” (Douglas E. Clanin and Ruth Dorrel, eds., Papers of William Henry Harrison, 1800-1815, 10 microfilm reels [Indianapolis, 1994-99], 2:324-7, 357-8; Harrison to TJ, 29 Aug.).

DeWitt Clinton wrote to Dearborn on 22 Sep. from New York regarding “plans of fortifications &c.” prepared by French engineer Arsène Lacarrière Latour. The War Department received the letter the following day (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). Lacarrière later wrote to the War Department on 29 Oct. seeking remuneration for his efforts. Replying on 1 Nov., Dearborn informed him that he could not be compensated because his efforts had not been carried out “under the direction of the Executive of the General Government, or specially authorized by Law.” Dearborn returned Lacarrière’s plans at his request (DNA: RG 107, MLS). For Clinton’s earlier letter on Lacarrière’s plans for the defense of New York harbor, see Clinton to TJ, 18 Jan. 1805.

Wilkinson sent a lengthy letter with multiple enclosures to Dearborn on 8 Sep. regarding British commerce in Louisiana Territory. Replying on 16 Oct., Dearborn stated that the “subject of British Traders &c. will be further considered;—and such instructions will be forwarded, as may be judged expedient” (Terr. Papers description begins Clarence E. Carter and John Porter Bloom, eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1934–75, 28 vols. description ends , 13:196-204, 239).

Guards: in May, the New Orleans council established a city guard or “gendarmerie” of 7 officers and 32 gendarmes paid and equipped at city expense. Its primary purpose was “to search and pursue fugitive negroes” and to police the city’s enslaved and free Black population. Although Claiborne supported its establishment, exorbitant expense and the unruly behavior of its members quickly led to widespread complaints against the organization (Eberhard L. Faber, Building the Land of Dreams: New Orleans and the Transformation of Early America [Princeton, 2016], 225-8; Claiborne to TJ, 31 Oct., 6 Nov.).

Decoigne’s sale: for the land ceded by Kaskaskias led by Jean Baptiste Ducoigne, see TJ to the Senate, 31 Oct. 1803.