4829. LOUISIANA, Government for.—
With respect to the territory acquired, I do
not think it will be a separate government,
as you imagine. I presume the island of New
Orleans, and the settled country on the opposite
bank, will be annexed to the Mississippi
territory. We shall certainly endeavor
to introduce the American laws there, and
that cannot be done but by amalgamating the
people with such a body of Americans as May
take the lead in legislation and government.
Of course, they will be under the Governor of
Mississippi. The rest of the territory will
probably be locked up from American settlement,
and under the self-government of
the native occupants.—
To General Horatio Gates.
Ford ed., viii, 250.
(W.
July. 1803)
