In Washington City and New Orleans, private and encrypted letters are written regarding difficulties arising from the cession of Louisiana. One letter condemns the actions of the French colonial prefect in New Orleans, and the other questions the constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase.
In Pittsburgh, Lewis oversees construction of the expedition’s military-style barge before departing down the Ohio River.
Louisiana Difficulties
New Orleans in 1803
by J. L. Bouqueto de Woiseri
Aquatint print, Public Domain.
Expecting that Louisiana’s Purchase would bring prosperity and progress, New Orleans artist J. L. Bouqueto de Woiseri titled his painting “Under My Wings Every Thing Prospers.”
The French colonial prefect in New Orleans, Pierre-Clément de Laussat, is held in contempt by the American Consul there, Daniel Clark:
private
New Orleans 18th. August 1803
Sir [James Madison]
. . . . .
The Satisfaction generally expressed throughout this Country on the event of the Cession is great, and no symptoms of discontent are manifested except by a very small Portion of the Merchants & Mechanics and a number of Seamen & Adventurers lately arrived from France on whom the Prefect has been practising his revolutionary Arts since his arrival. He is a violent & bad Man whose Projects of Plunder & Monopoly are ended, can brook no contradiction, manifests a hatred & pretended Contempt for our Nation, has disgusted all the Spanish Authorities, and by his Conduct has lost the Confidence of all the well disposed & thinking People.
. . . . .
I have the Honor to remain with respect & Esteem Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servt.
Daniel Clark[1]Daniel Clark to James Madison, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-05-02-0342 accessed 19 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Secretary … Continue reading
Constitutional Difficulties
Monticello Aug. 18. 03.
Dear Sir [James Madison]
I inclose you two letters from Rob. R. Livingston. That of the 2d. of June is just intelligible enough in the uncyphered parts to create anxieties which perhaps the cypher may remove. I communicate them for your information, & shall be glad to recieve them decyphered. I infer that the less we say about constitutional difficulties respecting Louisiana the better, and that what is necessary for surmounting them must be done sub silentio.
Accept my affectionate salutations and assurances of constant esteem.
Th: Jefferson[2]Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-05-02-0343 accessed 14 June 2022. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, … Continue reading
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Notes
| ↑1 | Daniel Clark to James Madison, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-05-02-0342 accessed 19 May 2022. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, vol. 5, 16 May–31 October 1803, ed. David B. Mattern, J. C. A. Stagg, Ellen J. Barber, Anne Mandeville Colony, and Bradley J. Daigle. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, pp. 322–323.] |
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| ↑2 | Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, Founders Online, National Archives, founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/02-05-02-0343 accessed 14 June 2022. [Original source: The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State Series, vol. 5, 16 May–31 October 1803, ed. David B. Mattern, J. C. A. Stagg, Ellen J. Barber, Anne Mandeville Colony, and Bradley J. Daigle. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 2000, pp. 323–325.] |
