5433. MONOPOLY, Indian trade.—[continued].
The enclosed reclamations
of Girod and Choate against the claims of
Bapstropp to a monopoly of the Indian commerce,
supposed to be under the protection of
the 3rd article of the Louisiana Convention,
as well as some other claims to abusive
grants, will probably force us to meet that
question. * * * Congress has [extended]
about twenty particular laws * * * to
Louisiana. Among these is the act concerning
intercourse with the Indians, which establishes
a system of intercourse with them admitting
no monopoly. That class of rights,
therefore, is now taken from under the treaty,
and placed under the principles of our laws.—
To James Madison.
Ford ed., viii, 313.
(July. 1804)
