William Charles Cole ClaiborneJanuary 1803 - December 1803A long silence of Claiborne's pen ensues until mid November when he notes that a letter has arrived giving him a commission as one of the representatives to receive Louisiana from the French Prefect Pierre Clement de Laussat. Note: The documents are sometimes out of chronological order because they may be enclosures with letters to Federal officials in Washington or are letters from the Federal government which take perhaps a month to be delivered. |
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| Date Written | From | To | Subjects |
Monday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | $100.25 drawn on War Department for Captain James Ryan to meet payment drawn on Wm.C.C.C. by Silas Dinsmore in favor of Wilkinson. |
Monday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison |
Encloses a hand bill from New Orleans that further inflames the loss of right of deposit there. Claiborne states that now he has 2000 militia well organized and a portion, maybe 600 men might take possession if there are only Spanish troops to defend the city. He adds that there are a number of inhabitants of New Orleans and on the coast devoted to American interests. The handbill refers to acts that look official and show a determined hostility toward the United States. The violation of the treaty related to the right of deposit agitates many in the Mississippi Territory. Pinckney's Treaty, Article XXII |
Friday |
Granger | Wm. C. C. C. | A post office is established in Greenville and Dr. Shaw is named the postmaster. |
Saturday |
David Rawn | Wm. C. C. C. | $37.75 for stationary from the Treasury of the United States. |
Sunday |
Madison | Wm. C. C. C. | An enclosed letter to William Hulings is left open so that Claiborne can see the view of President Jefferson on the Spanish decree closing the right of deposit. Madison says to use a hired express courier to New Orleans for delivery. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | William Hulings | The proclamation of the Intendant is seen as a direct violation of the treaty with Spain. William Hulings is to determine if it was under the direction of the crown or the Intendant's own will. The Secretary of State also asks for a determination of the time that the French are to take possession of the city. What preparations are the Spanish officials making? Include other general information that would be helpful. |
Friday |
William Hulings | Wm. C. C. C. | Hulings encloses a translation of an order for delivery
to the province of Louisiana, not yet communicated publicly by the government! Senor Don Pedro Cevallas: The King, having ceded to the French Republic the province of Louisiana, communicates the Royal order of delivery to the French Commissary. Inhabitants wishing to remain Spanish may pass to Havana to receive their destination. It is dated July 30, 1802. |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | William Hulings | Claiborne acknowledges receiving a copy of the royal order and detailed wishes from Hulings |
Monday |
Dearborn | Wm. C. C. C. | The character and conduct of Mitchell is not known enough to give an additional allowance. The President is disposed to gratify Major Colbert who wishes to send his son to Washington for an education. Mr. Dinsmore is recovering from the duel. While this conduct is not approved he could prove to be a useful agent. Mr. Chambers is trusted as an agent to the factory of the Choctaws. New settlers are encouraged on the Southwestern frontiers. A settlement is to be made in Congress with purchasers of Georgia lands and boundaries are to be determined by General Wilkinson. |
Monday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn |
Mitchell has been well known for several years by Claiborne. He has recovered his health and will exert himself in agency to the Indians, but the department should suspend the increase in salary until results are seen. Dinsmore is useful with the Cherokees and should prove the same with the Choctaws. He is now in Natchez and will set out in 12-14 days with the Choctaw annuity for 1803 by way of Orleans and Mobile. Extension of a line parallel to the Mississippi River will be completed in 20 days. Wilkinson is progressing rapidly. Claiborne visited him to confer on the Choctaw factory. Wilkinson decided it should be established on the Tombigbee but the delay due to work on the boundary line has frustrated the factor Chambers who at this time is a temporary clerk for Claiborne. New Orleans is still shut against American deposit. It is well understood that the decree of the Intendant is likely to be revoked. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Wm. C. C. C. has bargained with Joseph Calvit for the site of the new post - Ft. Dearborn - and ample supply of timber for construction and years of firewood. The price is $15 per acre, but it has advantages: contiguity to the town of Washington and plentiful water. Hauling of water can be done by a public team, the sawing and putting up block houses is to be done by soldiers. Wilkinson will send a company of troops from Ft. Adams. It will be a better deposit of military stores than Ft. Adams which is on the frontier. The new fort will be bear the center of population in the territory. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | The port of New Orleans is still closed, but Claiborne believes that the Intendant will rescind the decree when he realizes the injury to American commerce. Encloses a copy of the "official decree". |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Claiborne forwards the land claims from Washington County,
most of which are incomplete. Most were not obtained previous to October
of 1795, but claimed possession by virtue of an order of survey by the
Governor General of Florida commonly called a grant. It was not until
after the conquest of Florida by the Spanish that they introduced the
custom of issuing patents. Previous to that time a warrant of survey and
possession was the only means of Spanish conveyance and subsequent to
the period alluded to, this kind of title after the three years occupancy
was esteemed valid. Abstract 1 - Quantity of land claimed under British and Spanish Grants. Abstract 2 - Land claimed under British and French patents . Abstract 3 - Land claimed - under occupancy - by persons who were actual settlers within the ceded territory in October of 1795. In Washington County - 108 heads of families who have settled vacant land and made considerable improvements subsequent to 1795. If land is sold low to actual settlers it will prevent considerable emigration to Louisiana. The original papers are filled in the office of governor Claiborne. |
Sunday |
Wilkinson | Wm. C. C. C. | The general has finished the Choctaw boundary and includes a list of items to be given to the Choctaw Commissioners. The list is of articles of clothing such as long coats, capes, hats, fine white shirts, leggings, etc. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | The latest from New Orleans: The Intendant is firm, the deposit is not restored. Boats are arriving daily on the river at Natchez, many ships are waiting at the port of New Orleans. Few will now enter the river. |
Saturday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Wilkinson | The articles to be presented to the Choctaw commissioners are not available. Wilkinson must buy them at stores at Fort Adams, drawing money on Claiborne's account as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. |
Sunday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Near Natchez. Claiborne has appointed a Brigadier General of the militia: Col. Benajah Osmun. Will the president please confirm. |
| Date Written | From | To | Subjects |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Claiborne encloses a map of land purchased for the new garrison. There is enough land to provide all the lumber needed for construction and fuel. |
Friday |
Wilkinson | Wm. C. C. C. | From Ft. Adams. Since the request to draw the Choctaw boundary came through Claiborne, Wilkinson believes it best to transmit expenses through him rather than the Secretary of War. A second package includes an account of those expenses. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Wilkinson | Believes payment for Wilkinson's expenses should come directly from the Secretary of War. |
Monday |
Madison | Wm. C. C. C. | Acknowledges Claiborne's letter of November 12 with an enclosure of a letter from the Spanish Governor at New Orleans saying that the Intendant had acted without orders from Madrid and without governor Salcedo's approval. The president passed it on to Congress and has appointed James Monroe, late governor of Virginia and now Minister Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to France and eventually to Spain. Included is a letter to the Intendant from the Spanish Minister to the United States which Claiborne passes on to William Hulings |
| Date Written | From | To | Subjects |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Washington, Mississippi Territory. Encloses a rough draft of the fort now being built. It was presented to him by Lt. Hopkins of the First Regiment. Claiborne has named it Ft. Dearborn. |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Encloses a proclamation by Intendant Morales. The port of New Orleans is partially open. Claiborne welcomes the Monroe appointment. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | William Hulings | Claiborne is still in the dark in respect to the power and intentions of the Spanish Intendant. |
Saturday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | The latest intelligence from William Hulings: many vessels are lying opposite from New Orleans, waiting for return cargoes. |
Monday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Draws a bill for $232.62 payable to Benjamin Wilkinson for expenses accrued in the Indian Department. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | ----- | Remission of a fine. George Dickinson convicted of selling spirituous liquor - 3 gallons of whiskey to Indians in Adams County. The fine is remitted - half was to go to the county, half to the informer. JPs Samuel Brooks and James Ferrall. |
Saturday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Appoints JPs in Washington County: Figguire Lewis, Ranson Howell, William H. Hargrove, James Callier, William Pierce. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Re: Free navigation of certain rivers falling to the Bay of Mexico from territories of the United States and passing through the dominions of his Catholic Majesty. A memorial and petition from the Territorial Legislature. On the twelfth the two houses of the assembly has elected Dr. William Latimore of Natchez the delegate from the territory to Congress. |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Dearborn | Draws a bill on the War Department for $655 to Robert Boyce. |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Appointments | Various officials appointed: Mayor and Aldermen, Marshall, Sheriff. |
Monday |
Madison | Wm. C. C. C. | M. Pinchon, the French ambassador has been asked not to follow the example of the Intendant in closing the port. He has written a letter dispatched from Baltimore to the commissioner receiving Louisiana from Spain. A duplicate is enclosed, please pass it on. Word from a business partner of Mr. Clark - Daniel Coxe - says that he should have returned by now to New Orleans. |
Sunday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison |
Several French Officers have arrived at New Orleans and information on the sailing of a fleet with the French Army is received, but Claiborne does not give credit to this rumor. Daniel Clark has returned from Europe and is in Natchez. |
Sunday |
Oddly, during a period when Claiborne should have been reporting events in the old Southwest and Louisiana his letter books are silent. Other sources tell us that Daniel Clark has rushed to Natchez to ask Governor Claiborne to gather his militia and march on New Orleans. The Spanish are weak. The French are distracted. Clark has just arrived from the courts of Europe as an unofficial representative of the United States. He believes that the time is ripe for the U. S. to take Louisiana for its own. Claiborne, on the other hand, is Jefferson's man in the Southwest and will do nothing on his own initiative. Yet he knows that Clark is right. This meeting between the two men begins a long relationship of enmity which is inevitable given the cultural and political differences between Clark's Louisiana and the United States. To the surprise of both, the diplomats negotiate the purchase of one third of a continent and President Jefferson and Congress decide to put aside the Constitution and take a chance. Between late March and mid-November a chronology of events will have to come from another source. |
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| Date Written | From | To | Subjects |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Claiborne has received his appointment as a commissioner
for receiving possession of Louisiana. General Wilkinson
is absent. He has been in Pensacola for four weeks after surveying the
boundary line in the Tombigbee District between the U. S. and the Choctaw
Nation. He forwards by express rider a note to Capt. Turner, the Commander
at Ft. Adams, to meet with Claiborne to consult on proper means, arms
and provisions. He has also addressed letters to Daniel Clark and Pierre Clement de Laussat by confidential messenger and encloses copies. He notes that Clark has business ability and great force of character, but seems to have been fussy and domineering. This was also true of Laussat, which accounts for the differences between the two men. Claiborne encloses two letters from Clark with copies of his answering letters. There is some evidence that the Spanish wanted to delay the transfer but nothing concrete has been done. A recent arrival from there says that the defenses have been ignored. If Wilkinson were here Claiborne would urge immediate descent with troops and volunteers. He prepares the militia but awaits further replies from Clark and Laussat. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Daniel Clark | Claiborne encloses a letter from the State Department.
The necessity of using force is contemplated at New Orleans. He needs
information of the military strength at New Orleans and the best approach
to the city. Ordinarily Claiborne would have asked Wilkinson,
but Wilkinson is not available. Claiborne has confidence that Clark can
rally any necessary force for the interests of he United States. Claiborne expects Laussat to be cordial, but he understands that Clark does not have a friendly rapport with the French diplomat and suggests the aid of William Hulings If Spain is really disposed to resist they are to expect reinforcements from Havana. Claiborne wants Clark's opinion on this. He is to give a duplicate of his reply to Major Tares, who is in New Orleans as a private citizen on his own business. Claiborne reminds Clark of the pacific principles on which the purchase commenced. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Pierre Clement de Laussat | Claiborne forwards messages from Washington and announces that he and Wilkinson are to be the commissioners for the transfer. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Albert Gallatin | The Treasury Secretary has sent some suggestions on handling money in the transfer and Claiborne asks for an outline on handling duties of imports and exports. Wilkinson is still in Pensacola. He fears that the Spanish will try to delay the transfer much the same way as they did the Natchez district from 1795 to 1798. He promises to continue corresponding with Daniel Clark. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Daniel Clark |
A reply to a letter from Clark dated the 11th. Clark has applied to the Spanish government for one or more companies of cavalry to pass by land to New Orleans. Well timed says Claiborne, since Louisiana has not yet passed to French hands. The Militia of Mississippi will accompany regular troops from Ft. Adams. Also a printer with all the necessary apparatus will arrive in New Orleans in the course of two weeks. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Captain Turner, Commander at Fort Adams, says Wilkinson left Pensacola on the 27th of last month and should arrive tomorrow. All healthy troops at the fort will be ready to march in three days. |
Monday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Daniel Clark | Claiborne has received Clark's letters of the 14th and 15th instant. The dispatch riders have been delayed, General Wilkinson has not arrived and is coming via New Orleans. Claiborne expects 200 militia to march. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Daniel Clark | No further official communications have come from Washington. Has Trask arrived? |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Daniel Clark | Claiborne has information that Wilkinson
left Ft. St. Stephens on the 11th
for Mobile and by way of the lakes to New Orleans and Ft. Adams. He expects
mail from Clark and the French Prefect in 2-3 days. The latest from Clark
confirms that the commissioner's presence is needed immediately and should
be accompanied by a respectable military force. He wants artillery train
but it is not ready, should opposition be made and a coupe de main
prove impracticable. The commander at Ft. Adams has 14 boats afloat and in six days will have 2 or 3 more, but ordinance cannot be completed in less than ten days. The cotton crops and other private business have cut into volunteers and an idea prevails that the force is intended more for parade than service. Claiborne has incurred some expense for the comfort of the volunteers. At New Orleans the works around the city are neglected, but forts on the lake and at Plaquemines are strong and regular and may demand heavy cannon. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Special messenger arrived tonight with communications from Daniel Clark and Pierre Clement de Laussat. French officer Laudais passed through Natchez three days ago probably with orders for Laussat to assume control of Louisiana. Claiborne agrees with Clark that a respectable force would facilitate negotiations and expedite delivery of the territory. Wet and unsettled weather without intermission has worked against volunteerism for a considerable time . He will proceed with the volunteers to Ft. Adams within three days and then leave for New Orleans. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Claiborne has received a communication from Madison dated the 14th! He is glad to learn that Mr. H. B. Trist is to relieve him of revenue duties in New Orleans. |
| Date Written | From | To | Subjects |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Claiborne has impressed a schooner at Natchez Landing to carry a company of Natchez artillery, one of riflemen and one of militia infantry immediately for Ft. Adams. He will leave himself tomorrow for Ft. Adams by land. He understands that Wilkinson has arrived at New Orleans on the 25th of November and is expected soon at Ft. Adams. Two or three companies raised in Jefferson County will not arrive in time. The mounted infantry from Tennessee has not yet reached Natchez, but is on the way. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Claiborne forwards another letter from Daniel Clark. The French officer Laudais brought with him original papers alluded to by Clark, which removes all difficulties respecting the cession. |
Sunday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | From Ft. Adams. Wilkinson and Claiborne both arrive as does another communication from Daniel Clark assuring that there will be no bloodshed over the transfer. Claiborne will take what volunteers will be ready on the 6th. The owner of the schooner, Bilbow, is also here and expects some kind of indemnity for the use of his ship. Although Claiborne believes that this is the most arbitrary act of his life the impressment of the ship is necessary and valuable. |
Monday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | The volunteers number about 160 with 30-40 expected tomorrow. They are inadequately clothed and Claiborne will furnish clothes and blankets from public stores at the fort. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | The volunteers are not here from Tennessee. Claiborne worries about expenses of military preparations. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Heavy rain fall delays the departure. Total volunteers and regulars - 450-500 men. |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | The militia is getting restless. Wilkinson believes they will leave tomorrow. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | New Orleans is now in American hands. Claiborne encloses copies of the proclamation and a short address to the citizens of Louisiana. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Proclamation | A proclamation by his excellency, William C. C. Claiborne, governor of the Mississippi Territory, exercising the powers of Governor General and Intendant of the Province of Louisiana... |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Speech | In the Grand Salee of the City Hall - The Cabildo. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Circular | The Island of New Orleans and the Providence of Louisiana are amicably surrendered to the Commissioners of the United States. This circular is sent to the governors of Kentucky, Tennessee, the Ohio Territory and the Secretary of the Mississippi Territory. |
Friday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Act | In one of his first acts Claiborne separates forever the office of Notary Public from the office of auctioneer. The man holding these two lucrative jobs is Pedro Pedesclaux. |
Saturday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Act | Spirituous Liquors are not to be sold to privates or noncommissioned officers without written permission from a commissioned officer. |
Tuesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Madison | Claiborne finds the territory in a neglected state. Pierre
Clement de Laussat has tried to bring him up to date, but the Frenchman's
interest is only temporary. Laussat abolished the Cabildo, in part a hereditary
Council, and established a municipality which was more congruous with
the new American government. The militia is not well organized. Difficulty arises from two companies of people of color. Claiborne believes that to recommission them would outrage part of the nation, but to not recommission them might produce future mischief. To disband them would raise an armed enemy within the territory and to disarm them smacks of tyranny. He begs a quick decision from the State Department. Claiborne did not include the treaty in his first proclamation because it had been published in several New Orleans newspapers in English and French. He describes the plantation homes he passed along the banks of the river as an almost uninterrupted line of magnificent buildings. He says New Orleans has many fine buildings and is not unlike the city of Baltimore that he visited four years previously. The governor's house is large. He offers Salcedo this house until he is ready to leave, but the elderly Spanish governor leaves in a few days. Claiborne goes to a ceremony at the Ursuline Convent which has an abbess and eleven nuns whose sole object is the education of female youth. At present there are 73 boarders and 100 day scholars. Several nuns fled to Havana on the arrival of the French, but he is told that they will return. The army here is small, so Wilkinson retains the militia of the Mississippi Territory. He mentions that he had Wilkinson provide clothing and blankets and asks that they be made gifts rather than be deducted from their pay. |
Wednesday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Proclamation and ordinance |
Claiborne pardons Benjamin Payatt and John Quarles, now in the city jail. With another ordinance he establishes a court of pleas of not less than seven justices and an alguazil mayor or sheriff. The proceedings are to be recorded in English and French. A table of fees is to be approved by the governor. |
Thursday |
Wm. C. C. C. | Regulations |
Regulations on shipping and the port. 1. All vessels within 24 hours of arrival will have yards top'd and jib-boom in with sprit-sail yard, fore and aft. 2. All vessels on the outside tier at the levee should have at least one large anchor in the stream. 3. All vessels discharge ballast when and where collector of customs says. 4. Vessels with cargo to discharge have preference to station over those loading. 5. Vessels lying by or in ordinary will not be at levee between the gates of city unless the harbor master says it is not an inconvenience. 6. Vessels at the levee between the gates of the city with no crews aboard may be removed by the harbor master. 7. Fines may be levied for not obeying the harbor master. 8. Procedures for arrivals. 9. Area near the market is reserved for small boats. 10. Flat boats and rafts from up river will lie above the upper gate. 11. Fees for harbor master - 2 cents for each registered ton, 25 cents for all barges as well as flats and other craft laden with merchandise. 12. Additional fines. |
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