University of Virginia Library

PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the territory south of the Mississippi Territory
and eastward of the river Mississippi, and extending to the
river Perdido,[30] of which possession was not delivered to the
United States in pursuance of the treaty concluded at Paris

on the 30th April, 1803, has at all times, as is well known,
been considered and claimed by them as being within the
colony of Louisiana conveyed by the said treaty in the same
extent that it had in the hands of Spain and that it had when
France originally possessed it; and

Whereas the acquiescence of the United States in the temporary
continuance of the said territory under the Spanish
authority was not the result of any distrust of their title, as
has been particularly evinced by the general tenor of their
laws and by the distinction made in the application of those
laws between that territory and foreign countries, but was
occasioned by their conciliatory views and by a confidence
in the justice of their cause and in the success of candid discussion
and amicable negotiation with a just and friendly
power; and

Whereas a satisfactory adjustment, too long delayed,
without the fault of the United States, has for some time been
entirely suspended by events over which they had no control;
and

Whereas a crisis has at length arrived subversive of the
order of things under the Spanish authorities, whereby a
failure of the United States to take the said territory into its
possession may lead to events ultimately contravening the
views of both parties, whilst in the meantime the tranquility
and security of our adjoining territories are endangered and
new facilities given to violations of our revenue and commercial
laws and of those prohibiting the introduction of slaves;

Considering, moreover, that under these peculiar and imperative
circumstances a forbearance on the part of the United
States to occupy the territory in question, and thereby guard

against the confusions and contingencies which threaten it,
might be construed into a dereliction of their title or an insensibility
to the importance of the stake; considering that
in the hands of the United States it will not cease to be a
subject of fair and friendly negotiation and adjustment; considering,
finally, that the acts of Congress, though contemplating
a present possession by a foreign authority, have
contemplated also an eventual possession of the said territory
by the United States, and are accordingly so framed as in
that case to extend in their operation to the same:

Now be it known that I, James Madison, President of the
United States of America, in pursuance of these weighty and
urgent considerations, have deemed it right and requisite
that possession should be taken of the said territory in the
name and behalf of the United States. William C. C. Claiborne,
governor of the Orleans Territory, of which the said
Territory is to be taken as part, will accordingly proceed to
execute the same and to exercise over the said Territory the
authorities and functions legally appertaining to his office;
and the good people inhabiting the same are invited and enjoined
to pay due respect to him in that character, to be obedient
to the laws, to maintain order, to cherish harmony, and
in every manner to conduct themselves as peaceable citizens,
under full assurance that they will be protected in the enjoyment
of their liberty, property, and religion.

In testimony &c., (October 27, 1810.)