USA > Louisiana > The history of Louisiana : from the earliest period, Volume II > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
New-Orleans, 23d March, 1803.
(Signed) Gilberto Leonard. Manuel Almirez.
[Translation.]
( This fund of deposit is cash deposited for a particular purpose, such as the fortifications of Pen- sacola, &c. g.c. to which it has not been applied.
The ramos particulares, or private funds, are those of individuals under the royal protection, for the payment of pensions, &c. to officers' widows, etc.
'The ramos agenos are funds which do not belong to the king, but are destined for the purposes men- tioned, being generally discounts from salaries, to pay invalids, etc.
The deposits, constituting a part of this fund, proceed from property in dispute to which the king has a claim, and the amount is deposited until the claim is decided.
VOL. II.
28
.
218
CHAPTER [1803
The sum due to the fund of tobacco, is a balance which remained of that particular fund, after the purchases for the king's account were completed.
That due to the public deposit is the amount of certain property for which suits are depending be- tween individuals.
'That to the regiment of Louisiana is taken from the military chest of that regiment, which has consi- derable funds of its own in cash.
The amount of certificates is the sum then due to the public, for supplies, salaries, and wages, which have not been paid for want of cash.
Salaries and Expences not comprehended in the provincial regulation.
ANNUAL.
Governor, late of Natchez, now Baton-Rouge, $2500 Secretary to ditto, 840
A colonel of artillery, 2000
'I'wo captains of said companies, 1680
One lieutenant do. 528
Two engineers, 2000
Allowance for table expences (when employed $25 per month) cannot be specified, 0000
Officers of the army additional, who have been put on pay, viz. 2 captains, I lieutenant, and 3 sub-lieutenants, 3096
Officers added to the ctat-major de place ; 5 captains, 2 lieutenant;, and I on half pay, 2476 Augmentation of pay to the public interpreter, 264 An interventor or comptroller of public stores, 800 'Two officers for revision of accounts, 1140
One ditto, added to the secretary's office of the intendency, 360
Auditor of war,
2000
219
THE ELEVENTH.
1808]
Storekeeper, interpreter, and baker of New-
Madrid; interpreter and baker of Illinois, 1200
An additional clerk to the public stores, 360
Storekeeper at Baton-Rouge, 360
Storekeeper, surgeon, interpreter, and baker, at Apalaches, 1300
Commandants of the posts of St. John the Bap- tist, of the German parish, Opelousas, New- Bourbon, Cape Bourbon, Cape Girardeau, St. Andrew, and St. Fernando of Illinois, 600 A French engineer, 1200
An emigrant captain of the same nation, 741
Expences of artillery department, 10,900
Provincial hospitals in various places, 5000
Indian presents and expences, in addition to the sum mentioned in the provincial regu- lation, 30,000
Allowances to couriers yearly, 1000
Supply of provisions, medicines, &c. to the garrison of Pensacola, 20,000
Secret expences of government-cannot be precisely fixed, 0000
Pay of 9 dragoons, at $25 per month, and rations, on condition of finding their own horses at Pensacola, 3500
Four corporals of militia employed in vari- ous posts of the province, under the orders of the commandants, at $10 per month, Pay of the harbour-master, 1
480
2000
Assistant to ditto,
360
Salary of the two canons,
1200
An assistant to the curate,
720
A ranger of the forest at Concordia, opposite Natchez, 210
One ditto in Ouachita, 240
220 CHAPTER [1803
Fifteen serjeants on half pay, 2,025
Pensions to four officers of the royal hacien- da, who have retired, 1550
Seven sacristans appointed since the esta- blishment of the regulation for St. Bernard, Baton-Rouge, New-Feliciana, or Thomp- son's creek, Rapids, Natchitoches, Arkan- sas, and Now-Madrid, at fifteen dollars per month cach, 1260
House rent in various places, viz.
Commandant of' Baton-Rouge, 360
Curate of Baton-Rouge, 180
Ditto of Feliciana, 180
Commandant of Natchitoches,
300
Ditto of Concord,
240
Ditto of New-Madrid,
240
Six seamen at the Balize, at $6 per month and rations, 837
Four do. for the boat of the revenue officer employed there, 480
Two ditto at Mobile, to look after the king's launch, at 10 dollars each, per month, and rations,
Allowance to the commandant of the en- campment at Esperanza, opposite the Chickasaw Bluffs, 72
Store-keeper, surgeon, apothecary, and as- sistant to the hospital at Plaquemines, 984
$109,271
EXTRAORDINARY.
Brigade of presidarios, or people condemned to the public works; their maintenance, cloathing, &c. S.c. 25,000
1803]
: 'THE ELEVENTH.
Pay of the officers and people employed in the galleys and gun-boats, S.c. 60,000
Rations for ditto, and repairs of vessels, 10,000
Expences of fortifications, and repairs, in the capital, and other posts, 20,000
Transportation of troops and presidarios, 1,800
Maintenance of criminals, 1,500
Expences of running the line of demarcation with the U. S. from the begining of 1797,
hot brought into account until the whole was completed ; exceeding 150,000
Premiums to soldiers of good character, who have served beyond a certain period, 4,500
$302,000
Grand total, annual and extraordinary
1
expchces, $111,271
Expences which, for want of cash, were paid in' certificates, in the year 1802.
Salaries of the revenue department, 5,235 38
General expences of ditto, 3,665 37
Ditto of the king's store, for supplies, 28,990 87
Ditto extraordinarios,
713 50
Ditto for chapel service,
197 88
Ditto of the military hospital,
1132 37
Ditto of criminals condemned to public works, 42 62
Ditto for the city guards, 681 71
House rent, 1365
Maintenance of persons confined, 280 12
Purchase of stores for Vera-Cruz. 1191 37
Passate of troops discharged, 28
Pay of soldiers, 15
222
CHAPTER [1803
Ditto of militia, 3166 62
Ditto of half pay officers and serjeants, 45
Department of artillery and workmen, 1038 37
Pay of the crew of the galleys, 14,441 56
Repairs of ditto, 960 94
Repairs of fortifications, etc.
3319 31
Allowance for table expences to officers on service, 1197
Salaries to the Indian department, 2021 75
General expences of ditto, 15,983 31
Rations to officers ou service, 80
Dollars, 116,352 37
Annual revenues of the city of New-Orleans. Hire of the stalls in the beef market, $2350
Tax of seven-eights of a dollar on every car- cass of beef exposed to sale, calculated at 3325 Hire of the green and fish markets, &c. &c. Tax of one quarter of a dollar on every car- cass of veal, mutton, or pork, exposed to sale (supposed) 1200
Tax of half a dollar per barrel of flour, baked in the city, for which the bakers do not render a just account, 2800
1383
Tax of 40 dollars on taverus, 20 on lodging houses, and 40 on billiard tables, estima- ted at 3500
:
Tax of 3 dollars on all ships for anchorage, destined for the repairs of the levee of the city: this tax not being paid by the Ame- rican shipping. 500
Tax of 2 dollars per pipe on taffia imported, 800 Ground rents on the great square. 132
C
1803]
THE ELEVENTH. 223
Rent of the old market-house, now turned into a gaming house and ball-room, 1800
Ground rents, arising from the sale of the square opposite the hospital, 693
Moveable shops and stalls, 360
Tax of a dollar on all vessels entering the Bayou St. John, 470
$19,278
Mem .- Some of the above items are casual, and depend on the hiring of stalls, and greater or less consumption of the city.
Erpences of the cityj.
A commission of five per cent. to the treasurer for all sums he may receive.
To the six regidors or members of the cabildo or town council, first created, 350
200
The notary who serves as clerk to the council, To the two porters of the council, who are likewise employed by the treasurer in col- lecting the hire of the stalls, &c. &c. at 35 dollars per month,
4 20
To the serjeant employed to look after the city carters, who are obliged to bring weekly two loads of earth for repairing the streets which are unpaid: at 12 dollars per month,
141
To the corporal who looks after the persons condemned to the public works; at 12 dol- lars per month.
141
To the city cryer, $12 per month, 144
To the executioner, 15 do. 180
For lighting the lamps of the city. about 1800 gallons of oil annually.
.
-
1
224
CHAPTER
[1803
Repairing lamps, ladders, candlewick,
· 400
To 14 watchmen, who serve likewise as lamplighters, 2580
To the guard appointed to attend at the Ba- you bridge, 62
Repairs of the Bayou bridge (casual)
Repairs of the city levee, or dyke, now in a dangerous st ite, being partly carried away this spring by the undermining of the ri- ver, and which will be very expensive to repair.
Ditto of the streets, gutters, and city drains, uncertain.
There are besides the above, many casual and extraordinary expences, which cannot be particularly enumerated.
Imports at New-Orleans, in 1802.
Fans assorted, dozens, 468
Fan for cleaning rice,
Steel, Ibs. 1
34,834
Olive oil in bottles, dozen,
1648
Ditto, common, in flasks, doz.
420
Ditto in jars,
50
Oil, essentials, phials, doz.
6
Do. linseed. gallons,
1132
Do. fish, gallons,
3931
Do. turpentine, Ibs.
215
Olives, in flasks, doz.
236
Brandy of Provence, gal.
1960
Do. of Bordeaux, do.
5178
Do. bottled, doz. 191
Do. of peaches, gallons, 30
Taffia, hhds. 67
Whiskey, gallons.
300
180S]
THE ELEVENTH. 225
Scented waters, bottles, 485
Hungary& other waters, bottles, 103
Capers, in flasks, doz. 261
Copperas, lbs.
800
Carpets, wool, 6
Cotton, Ibs.
39,808
Red lead, Ibs. 1120
Almonds, in shell, lbs. 3917
Do. shelled, lbs. 400
S arch, lbs. 130
· Tar (brought in vessels originally
bound to other poris) barrels,
325
Bitters, bottles,
288
Broadcloths, ells,
600
Anchovies, botiles, 283
Eels, salted, flasks,
30
Anniseed, in baskets,
662
Telescopes,
26
Indigo, lbs.
1597
Ploughs, 4
Herrings and Pilchards, lbs. 21,100
1
Harness with brass mountings,
6
Glass bottles, cases, 3 ·
Filberts, Ibs. 500
Quicksilver, Ibs.
21,210
Sugar, white, Ibs. 201
Ditto, brown, Ibs. 23,302
Sulphur, Ibs. 4,050
Codfish, dried, quintals, .
318
Bafas, pieces of 10 ells,
507
Scales, pairs, 2
Balls for muskets,
300
Buckets, dozen,
159
Varnish, common, gallies,
5889
VOL. H.
Press of mahogany,
226
CHAPTER [1803
Ditto, fine, bottles, 24
Dresses for women, in pieces 110
Cambricks, in 6 ell pieces, 132
'Trunks, empty,
40
Baize, ells,
4250
Beaufort, unbleached, ells,
1.188
Calf' skins, doz.
123
Bath coatings, ells,
4290
Book-cases, mahogany,
2
Bidets, 48
Screens (paper)
10
Biscuit, quintals,
153
Blondes, silk, &.c. ells,
901
Purses, silk, doz.
50
Fire-engines,
2
Puffs, swansdown, doz.
21
Boots, pair:,
98
Boot-legs, do.
425
Half-boots, pairs,
269
HIff-boot legs, do. €
617
Empty bottles,
100,140
Bramantes or Flanders, ells, 14,151
Batter, bbls. 38
Britanias, pieces,
15,472
Brin of all breadths, ells,
30,144
Baffots, mahogany,
6
Basis of plaister,
74
Cables, Ibs. 59,137
Cacao, Ibs. 1021
Coffee, Ibs.
189,9:0
Coffre-pots of iron tinned, 42
Callimancoes, ells, 9,019
Copper kettles for sugar boilers, 4
Chaises,
Chairs, 15
4
6
*
-
1809
THE ELEVENTH.
227
Breeches patterns, cotton web, 110
Ditto and pantalons made, 1482
Bedsteads, mahogany, 1
Sheets, Inen, doz. 46
Do. check and ticking, doz.
925
Canapees or sophas,
21
Canvass, ells,
4350
Cinnamon, Ibs.
200
Cotton bagging, ells,
38
Hemp, Ibs.
65,832
Quills for writing, M.
57
Carabines,
10
Sca-coal, hhds.
100
Cotton cards, pairs,
1524
Verdegris, Ibs.
21
Pork, salted, barrels,
2537
Beef, do. do.
237
Bacon, Ibs.
68,556
Venison smoked, lbs.
100
Carts and drays,
3
Carts with their harness,
6
Feathers, cartons,
24
Flowers, artificial, do,
60
Check jackets,
10
Caps, leather, doz.
29
German rolls, ells,
10,125
Casimirs, do.
919
Onions, quintals,
127
Sieves, wire, &c. doz.
887
Lace, ells,
4069
Sashes for women,
Wax, manufactured, lbs.
1550
Beer, bhds.
92
Do. bottled, doz · 807
228
[1803
Shoe blacking balls, Ibs. 200
Waistcoats of various materials, 875
Jackets of do. doz. 191
Vermillion, lbs. 530
Girt web, ells, 485
Ribbons, silk, pieces,
9113
Do. velvet, do. 677
Do. for the hair, 60 ell pieces, 3:29
Tape, doz. pieces,
3176
Binding, worsted, pieces,
2430
Satin ribbon, pieces,
204
Cotton tape, groce of pieces,
3
Prunes, Ibs. 6308
Nail- a-sorted, lbs. 133,738
Cloves, Ibs. 280
Copper manufactured, Ibs.
400
Copper in sheets, Ibs. 180
Head-dresses for women, 58
Iron chests,
3
Glue, Ihs.
205
Counterpanes quilted,
330
Oznaburg, white, clis, 6371
Do. brown, olls, 53,945
Sweatmeats, dried, Ibs.
417
Do. in syrup, Ibs.
87
Coral, boxes,
26
Neckhandkerchiefs, do.
23
Fishing lines,
5444
Leather dressed, dozen skins,
17
Cyder, gallons, 1050
Do. bottled, doz.
374
Saddles,
208
Windsor chairs, doz.
179
Riding chairs,
1
Mahogany arm-chairs. 8
-
4 CHAPTER
. 1803]
THE ELEVENTH.
229
Sersuckers, pieces of 12 ells,
221
Hats, doz.
1357
- Soal leather, lbs.
500
Cork soles, pieces,
50
Suspenders, elastic, pairs,
162
Kentucky tobacco, lbs.
241,816
Do. twist, Ibs.
918
Rapee snuff, bottles,
363
Corks, M.
778
Do. for demijohns, M.
8
'Tea, Ibs.
5567
.
Ticken, ells,
24,2.11
Tiles, M.
27
Whiting, casks,
67
Ink, boules,
319
Ink-stands, doz.
50
Toilette glasses,
12
Molasses casks, broke up,
130
Turpentine, Ibs.
1786
Velvets, cotton,
1182
Glass for doors and windows,
2980
Watch glasses,
501
White-wine vinegar, gallons.
5145
Red do. do.
105
Composition vinegar, bottles,
75
Catalonian wine, gallons.
6972
Andalusian, do. do.
3171
Do. bottled, doz.
40
Corsican wine, pipes,.
5
Claret, hlds.
3575
Do. bottled, doz.
4062
White wine, Bordeaux, casks, Do. bottled, doz.
114
1371 .
Provence wine, hhds.
234
Do. bottled, doz.
334
.230
CHAPTER
[1803
Canary wine, gallons,
1620
Madeira, do. do.
150
Do. bottled, doz.
20
Frontignac, gallons,
271
Champagne, do.
35
Alicant, do.
16
Violins,
36
Soap, lbs.
156,752
Soap balls, Ibs.
146
Cordage, lbs.
323,615
Cages,
40
Syringes,
1119
Do. small,
97
Shoes, men's and women's of
every description, pairs, 9758
Exports for 1802.
Garlic, ropes,
500
Cotton, clean, Ibs.
2,161,198
Tar, barrels,
1846
Anchors,
1
Indigo (produce of former
years, long in store,
336,199
Rice, quintals,
46
Masts,
127
White sugar, Ibs.
100
Brown do.
2,493,274
Pitch, bbls.
258
Cables,
1
Cane, reed, M.
9
Beef, bbls.
217
Pork, do.
636
Tables of common wood, 18
Black lead, lbs.
118
Corn mills,
122
.
1803]
THE ELEVENTHI.
931
Fire-dogs gilt, pairs, 40
Mustard, doz. bottles, 132
Muslins, different kinds, ells, 15,793
Muslinets, do. 3236
Petticoats made,
12
Nanquinets, ells,
3158
Cards, groces of packs,
375
Walnut plank, feet,
1000
Nutmegs, Ibs.
71
Hand organs,
.
4
Guayac wood, quintals,
280
Cloaths, ells,
14,950
Stronds, 16 oll pieces,
673
Handkfs. all descriptions, doz. 9,083
410
Letter-paper, reams,
516
Common writing do.
6,144
Paper hangings, pieces,
6,242
Wrapping paper,
1,360
Writing desks, mahogany,
2
Parasols,
3,162
Raisins, Ibs.
34,617
Chocolate, lbs.
1,880
Pickled turkeys & geese, bbls.
3
Satin cloaks,
12
Pewter, quintals,
20
Wigs for men and women,
111
Pears, barrels,
86
Shot, Ibs.
10,059
Flints, M.
349
Grindstones,
1 1116
Mill stones, pr.
140
Whetstones, doz.
8
Dripstones,
38
Beaver, Ibs. 36
Potatoes, quintals,
232
CHAPTER [1803
Fox and racoon, lbs.
22
Otter, Ibs.
272
Bear, skins,
26
Decrskins in hair, Ibs.
93
Do. shaved, Ibs. -
1900
Pepper, Ibs.
2070
Paints, common, Ibs.
10,553
Do. fine, Ibs.
230
Pipes, clay, groce,
577
Pistols, pairs,
31
Slates, M.
165
Do. for schools, doz.
6
Coined money, marks,
181
Piatillas, white, pieces, 2670
Do. brown, do. 211
Lead in sheets, Ibs.
3800
Powder, Ibs. 6420
Hair-powder, Ibs.
10,090
Pomatum, pots & sticks, doz. 262
Cheese, Ibs. 38,579
Hardware, packages,
416
Gold watches,
10
Clocks for staircases,
1
Do. for chimney-pieces,
12
Rosin, quintals, 40
30
Rum, gallons,
13,798
Russia sheetings, pieces,.
1970
Sheets ready made, pairs, 3
Salt, barrels, 4727
Bologna sausages, lbs. 100
Salmon, Ibs. 2880
Sardines, Ibs. 3180
Sorges, woolen. ells, 736
Frying pans.
2985
Ploughshares,
1303]
THE ELEVENTH.
233
Tallow, Ibs.
610
Do. manufactured, lbs.
26,065
Secretaries, mahogany,
2
Sowing silk, Ibs.
278
Silk of other descriptions, lbs.
1,000
Garden seeds, lbs.
100
Boot stockings, doz.
18
Bacon, Ibs.
3,068
Wax, Ibs,
120
Peas and beans, barrels,
123
Nails, Ibs.
200
Sugar, boxes,
2,050
Beef hides,
2,109
Calf skins,
144
Staves, M.
. 24
Flour, barrels,
5,575
Hams, lbs.
.₥
2,998
Wool, Ibs.
462
Earthenware, crates,
Hogs' lard, Ibs.
11,889
Molasses, casks,
1 : 312
Logwood, tons,
433
Beaver skins, lbs.
179
Otter do. lbs.
6
Raccoon and fox, Ibs.
138
Deer, in hair, Ibs.
103,897
Do. shaved, lbs.
121,608
Bearskins,
982
Buffalo robes,
32
Pimento, Ibs.
7,281
Lead, in pigs, Ibs.
167,192
Ash oars,
200
Snuff, bottles,
- 54
Tobacco, Kentucky, Ibs.
87,622
Do. in carrots, Ibs.
7.768
VOL. II, 30
1
234
CHAPTER
[1803
a
Boards, of 10 to 12 feet, 690
Shingles, M. 30
Vanilla, per MI pods, 92
.1
The annual produce of the province was supposed to, consist of
3,000 lbs. of indigo, rapidly declining,
20,000 bales of cotton of 300 lbs. each,
5,000 hhds. of sugar of 1000 lbs. each,
5,000 casks of molasses, of 50 gallons each.
'There were but few domestic manufactures. The Acadians wrought some cotton into quilts and home- spun, and in the more remote parts of the province, the poorer kind of people spun and wove wool mixed with cotton, into coarse cloth. There was a machine for spinning cotton in the parish of Iberville, and another in Opelousas ; but neither was much em- ployed. In New-Orleans, there was a considerable manufacture of cordage, and a few small ones of hair powder, vermiceli and shot. There were near the city, about a dozen of distilleries, in which about four thousand casks of taffia, of fifty gallons each, were made, and a sugar refinery which produced about 200,000 lbs. of loaf sugar.
1
In the year 1802, two hundred and fifty-six vessels of all kinds entered the Mississippi : eighteen of which were public armed vessels: the others merchantmen. as follows:
American.
Spanish.
French.
Ships,
48
14
0
Brigs,
63
17
1
Polacres,
0
4
0
Schooners,
50
61
Sloops,
9
1
1
-
-
170
97
0001 0 0
1
-
235
THE ELEVENTH.
1803]
Of the American vessels, twenty-three ships, twen- ty-five brigs, nineteen schooners and five sloops came in ballast.
Five Spanish ships and seven schooners came also in ballast.
The tonnage of the merchantmen, that entered the Mississippi, was ;wenty-three thousand seven hundred and twenty-five registered tons.
In the same year, there sailed from the Mississippi :
158 American vessels, 21383 Tons.
101 Spanish, do. 9753 do.
3 French do. 105 do.
265 31211 Total.
The tonnage of the vessels that went in ballast, not that of public armed ones, is not included. The latter took off masts. yards, spars and naval stores. .
There was a considerable coasting trade from Pensacola, Mobile and the rivers and crecks falling into lakes Ponchartrain and Maurepas and the neighboring coast. From it, principally, New-Or- leans was supplied with ship timber, lime, charcoal and naval stores; Cattle was also brought from these places. Schooners and sloops of from eight to fifty tons, some of them but half decked, were employed in that trade. Reckoning their repeated trips, five hundred of them entered the bayou St. John in 1802, with thirteen galleys and four boats.
There was also some coasting trade between New- Orleans and the districts of Attakapas and Opelou- sas by the Balize.
- 236
CHAPTER [1803
Estimate of the produce shipped from New Orleans, in the year 1802, including that of the settle ments on the Mississippi, Ohio, &c.
Flour, 50,000 barrels, tons, 5,000 500
Salt beef and pork, 3,000 barrels,
Tobacco, 2,000 hogsheads, 1,400
Cotton, 31,000 bales, 17,000
Sugar, 4,000 hogsheads, 3,000
Molasses, 800 hogsheads, 500
Peltries, 450
Naval stores, 500
Lumber, chiefly sugar boxes, 5,000
33,350
1
Potash, Indian corn, meal, lead, cherry and walnut planks, hemp, masts, spars, hams, butter, lard, peas, beans, bis- ‹ it, ginseng, garlic, cordage, hides, staves, tobacco, in carrots, 6,650
1
40,000
Clark .- Archives.
1
237
THE TWELFTH.
18031
CHAPTER XII.
Claiborne's first proclamation -- Superintendant of the revenue .- Court of pleas .- Communication from the Spanish minister .- Spanish convention .- First terri- torial form of government --- Collection and navigation laws .- Proclamation of pardon to deserters .--! )c- parture of Laussart and Wilkinson .- Dissatisfaction of the inhabitants .- General meeting .- Memorial to congress .- A deputation chosen to carry it -Bank. of Louisiana .- Military associations .- Expedition to · the Pacific ocean .- Insurrection at Bayou Sarah .- The new government put in operation .- First session of the legislative council .- Exploring parties to the Washita and Red rivers .- Bishop of Monterey .- Second form of territorial government .- Amendments proposed by the deputation .- Land laws .- Office of discount and deposit of the Bank of the United States .- Second session of the legislative council .- Exploring party to the sources of the Mississippi-Captain Lewis reaches the Pacific ocean -The Marquis de Casa Calvo, and the remaining Spanish troops, leare New Orleans .- Pope's bull .- The Kempers seized at Pinckneyville, and liberated near Pointe Coupce. ·
THE first act of Claiborne, on his entering on the functions of governor general and intendant of the province of Louisiana, was a proclamation of the twentieth December, 1803, by which he declared that the government heretofore exercised over the pro- vince, as well under the authority of Spain as under that of the French republic. had ceased, and that of
-
238
CHAPTER
[1803
the United States was established over it-that the in- habitants would be incorporated in the Union, and admitted, as soon as possible, according to the princi- ples of the federal constitution, to the enjoyement of all the rights, advantages and immunities of citi- zens of the United States, and in the mean time main- tained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty, property and religion, that the laws and mu- nicipal regulations in force, at the cessation of the late government, still remained in vigour. He made known the powers, with which he was invested. that the officers charged with the execution of the laws, (except those whose powers were vested in him- self, or in the person charged with the collection of the revenue) were continued in the exercise of their respective functions. He exhorted the people to be faithful and true in their allegiance to the United States, and obedient to the laws, under the assurance, that their rights would be under the guardianship of the United States, and their persons and property protected against force or violence, from without and within.
'Trist, the collector of the United States, at Fort Adams, had been appointed superintendent of the revenue in the province.
By the substitution of a municipal body to the Cabildo, Laussat had abolished the offices of principal, provisional and ordinary alcades; so that there re- mained in New-Orleans, no tribunal or officer, vested with judicial powers, but Claiborne and the alcades de barrio: to remedy this evil, he established, on the thirtieth of December, a court of pleas, composed of seven justices. Its civil jurisdiction was limited to cases, which did not exceed in value three thousand dollars, with an appeal to the governor, in cases where
.
-
THE TWELFTH.
239
1804]
it exceeded five hundred. Its criminal jurisdiction extended to all cases, in which the punishment did not exceed a fine of two hundred dollars and im- prisonment during sixty days. The justices had individually summary jurisdiction of debts, under the sum of one hundred dollars; but from all their judgments an appeal lay to the court of pleas.
Early in the new year, the Marquis de Casa Irujo, Spanish minister at Washington city, gave assurance to the department of state that his sovereign had given no order whatever for opposing the delivery of Louisi- ana to the French, and that the report current in the United States, and elsewhere, of the existence of such an order, was wholly without foundation; since there was no connexion whatever between the pretended opposition and the representation made last year, by the Spanish minister to the government of the United States, on the defects which impaired the sale of Louisiana, by France, to these states, in which he had manifested the just motives of the Spanish govern- ment, in protesting against that alienation. The Marquis added, that he was commanded to make it known, that his majesty had since thought it_proper to renounce his protest, notwithstanding the solid grounds on which it was founded; affording, in this way, a new proof of his benevolence and friendship for the United States.
The president ratified a convention between the United States and Spain on the 11th of August, 1802, which he had laid before the Senate, during the last session, and which had not been definitively acted on, when that body adjourned.
By an act of congress, of the twenty sixth of March, the province of Louisiana was divided. That part of it, south of the Mississippi territory, and an cast and +
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.