1303. CLAIBORNE (W. C. C.), Appointed Governor.—
Among the enclosed
commissions is one for yourself as Governor of
the Territory of Orleans. With respect to this
I will enter into frank explanations. This office
was originally destined for a person [80]
whose
great services and established fame would have
rendered him peculiarly acceptable to the nation
at large. Circumstances, however, exist,
which do not now permit his nomination, and
perhaps may not at any time hereafter. That,
therefore, being suspended and entirely contingent,
your services have been so much approved
as to leave no desire to look elsewhere
to fill the office. Should the doubts you have
sometimes expressed, whether it would be eligible
for you to continue, still exist in your
mind, the acceptance of the commission gives
you time to satisfy yourself by further experience,
and to make the time and manner of withdrawing,
should you ultimately determine on
that, agreeable to yourself.—
To Governor Claiborne. Washington ed. iv, 558.
(M.
Aug. 1804)
