Carlos Dehault Delassus
Date and artist unknown. Courtesy Missouri Historical Society, https://collections.mohistory.org/resource/145796.
Portrait caption:
“Marquis Charles de Hault de Lassus
Last Spanish Governor of Upper Louisiana”
Carlos Dehault Delassus served as the Spanish lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana and resided in St. Louis at the time the Lewis and Clark Expedition wintered there in 1803–04. In December 1803, he refused permission for the expedition to go up the Missouri without first consulting his superiors. That permission came on 28 January 1803.
Delassus’s most important role was to organize the transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United States, which was accomplished on 9 and 10 March 1804 via Amos Stoddard acting in a duel role as French and American representative. Two days later and at the request of Stoddard, Delassus delivered a speech to the Indians informing them of the transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United States. The speech was witnessed by Lewis.
Selected Pages
November 30, 1803
Spain cedes Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana Province Pierre-Clément de Laussat leads a procession of 60 Creoles through the rain to the Cabildo—the city’s seat of government—and signs papers officially transferring Spanish Louisiana to France.
December 7, 1803
Cahokia arrivals
Meramec River, MO to Cahokia, IL
Lewis traveling by land, and Clark by river, arrive at Cahokia. Lewis meets two useful locals, John Hay and Nicholas Jarrot who help him negotiate entering Spanish territory.
December 8, 1803
Spanish resistance
Cahokia, IL On or near this day, Lewis meets with Dehault Delassus, the Spanish Governor of Upper Louisiana, and all agree that the expedition should spend the winter near Cahokia.
January 15, 1804
intoxicated helpers
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL In a letter to his brother-in-law, Clark describes his situation at Rivière à Dubois. Several men and a wagon, all loaded with whiskey, appear at camp.
January 28, 1804
Spanish obstacles removed
In his field notes, Clark records each hour at winter camp across from the mouth of the Missouri. The Spanish governor of Louisiana formally allows the expedition to proceed up the Missouri River.
February 19, 1804
New Spanish orders
Wood River Camp, IL On or near this date, the Spanish Lieutenant Governor Dehault Delassus receives orders to transfer the Upper Louisiana Territory to Captain Amos Stoddard.
February 24, 1804
"a great Dinner & porrade"
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL In St. Louis, Amos Stoddard and several citizens are told by Spanish Lt. Governor Dehault Delassus that he is ready to transfer Louisiana to the United States. A dinner and parade follow.
March 8, 1804
Announcing Louisiana's transfer
Wood River Camp, IL Lewis is in Cahokia with Captain Amos Stoddard and his honor guard who are traveling to St. Louis to formally receive the Upper Louisiana Territory. Clark is likely already there.
March 9, 1804
Lowering the Spanish, raising the French
Wood River Camp, IL Lewis serves as a witness to the delivery and receipt of the Upper Louisiana from Spain to France. With speeches and ceremony, the Spanish flag is lowered, and the French flag is raised.
March 12, 1804
Informing the Indians
Winter Camp at Wood River, IL At the request of Capt. Stoddard and in the presence of Meriwether Lewis, Dehault Delassus delivers a speech to Indians informing them of the transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United States.
May 28, 1804
Drying wet cargo
At the Gasconade River, the expedition hunts and dries wet cargo. Having met with Captains Lewis and Clark on 25 May, trader Régis Loisel is now in St. Louis warning Spain of American encroachments.
