To James Madison from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 November 1806
From William C. C. Claiborne
New Orleans November 25. 1806.
Sir
General Wilkinson has this moment arrived in New Orleans. My Letters of the 18. and 19. inst. you will consider as confidential.1 I shall have a conferrence with the General on tomorrow, and will in a few days write you particularly.
I have no doubt that a conspiracy is formed highly injurious to the interest of the UStates and that characters of high standing are concerned—but I am not yet advised of particulars.
General Wilkinson and myself will, to the best of our judgments and abilities support the honor and welfare of our country. I am Sir, with great respect, Your Mo. obt. Servt
William C. C. Claiborne
RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, vol. 8); letterbook copy (Ms-Ar: Claiborne Executive Journal, vol. 16). RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; docketed by Wagner. Italicized words are those encoded by Claiborne in a State Department code; key not found; copytext is Wagner’s interlinear decoding.
1. Claiborne to JM, 18 and 19 Nov. 1806.