To James Madison from Daniel Clark, 22 September 1806
From Daniel Clark
New Orleans 22 September 1806
Sir
I inclose you a Copy of a Letter which I think so strongly indicative of the Views of France on this Country as to require measures on the part of the Government of the U.S. that the impressions likely to be made by such interference may not be productive of an ill effect.1 It will require only to make this thing known to you to point out the Danger that would arise, if through any intrigue an improper Person or one not devoted to the Interests of the U.S. should be recommended to the Bishop of Baltimore and by him nominated to the Pope to be made Bishop of Louisiana. The danger would be increased if such a Person were attached to the views of the French Government and could be induced to assist them by his influence at any future Period when its Interest or wishes might be at variance with those of the U.S. As the Bishop has the appointment of all the Curates throughout the extent of his Diocese whose Interest will be at all times great among the common People it will more forcibly strike you how attentive the Government of the U.S. should be to see that a proper Character and one well affected to it, should be recommended to so important a Situation. I have the Honor to remain Sir Your most obedient Servt.
Daniel Clark
RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, New Orleans, vol. 1; filed at 24 Jan. 1804). For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure was a copy of a 5 June 1806 letter from Jean-Étienne-Marie Portalis, French minister of religious affairs, to Jean Baptiste Victor Castillon, president of the parish council of the cathedral of St. Louis in New Orleans (1 p.; in French; DNA: RG 59, ML), a translation of which was published in the Richmond Enquirer on 7 Nov. 1806. Portalis stated that he had informed Napoleon of Castillon’s earlier letter reporting disunity among Catholics in that city owing to a vacancy in the bishopric. In response, Napoleon ordered Portalis to inform Castillon that the Pope had given temporary jurisdiction over New Orleans to the bishop of Baltimore, and had asked him to recommend persons to fill the vacancy, “provided the Government of the United States does not object to the election.” The emperor intervened in this way, Portalis wrote, because New Orleans Catholics “were once Frenchmen,” whom Napoleon held in “unceasing regard”; he wished to “arrest the progress of evil” and “support … all their religious rights,” including prominently “the preservation of an Episcopal See” in New Orleans. Portalis was also instructed to advocate with JM in their interest. For the church schism, see William C. C. Claiborne to JM, 18 Mar. 1805, 9:147–48 and n. 3.