James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 5 February 1807

To Caesar A. Rodney

Department of State, Feb. 5th. 1807.

Sir.

The enclosed documents from Judge Lucas, evince a difference of opinion between him & the acting Governor.1 Should the construction of the latter be erronious it may be necessary to warn him of it, I therefore request the favor of your sentiments upon the case. I am &c.

James Madison.

Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). Enclosures not found, but see n. 1.

1. JM may have referred to John B. C. Lucas to Albert Gallatin, 25 Nov. 1806, and its enclosure from Lucas to Clement B. Penrose of the same date (printed in Carter, Territorial Papers description begins Clarence Carter et al., eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States (28 vols.; Washington, D.C., 1934–75). description ends , Louisiana-Missouri, 14:40–43), but it is unclear whether JM saw that letter. Acting governor Joseph Browne and Lucas expressed differing opinions on the 2 March 1805 law for “ascertaining and adjusting the titles and claims to land, within the territory of Orleans, and the district of Louisiana” (U.S. Statutes at Large description begins The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America … (17 vols.; Boston, 1848–73). description ends , 2:324–29). For the dispute, see Browne to JM, 26 Aug. 1806 (PJM-SS description begins Robert J. Brugger et al., eds., The Papers of James Madison: Secretary of State Series (Charlottesville, Va., 1986–). description ends , 12:247–49).

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Source Project: Madison Papers
Title: James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 5 February 1807
Author: Madison, James
Recipient: Rodney, Caesar A.
Date: 5 February 1807

Reference

Cite as: “James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 5 February 1807,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-13-02-0375. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, vol. 13, 1 November 1806–31 March 1807, ed. Tyson Reeder, J. C. A. Stagg, Anne Mandeville Colony, Ellen D. Goldlust, Mary K. Wigge, Katherine E. Harbury. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2024, pp. 390–391.]

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