Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1803-12-29

PIERRE Gle MEM LAOooAl
C6loniaI Prefsct, and Commissioner Of tie
French ygoUernnent-
To the People Of LOUISIANA.
people of Louisiana
The mission which has made me traverse.
the Ocean for two thousand i've hundred
LEAGUES and placed me IN the midst of you,
this mission, on which have for so long a
time built SO many high hopes and so many
wishesfor your happiness, is now changed;
that mission of which am at this moment
the minister and executor is less pleasing
though equally Aattering to me; inasmnch
as it supplies me with consolation deriv-
ed from the belief that it will be generally
more advantageous to you.
In virtue of their powers and authority
the commissioners of his Catholic Majesty
have surrendered to me this country and
youevery where see the unfurled standard
Of the French republic, and hear the re-
peated roar of her cannon, announcing to.
you that on this day she resigas her domi-
MON over those regions. People of Loui-
siana, this event will Immediately take
place; for am on the eve of transmitting
this country to the commissioners of the
United States, who are charged to take
possession of it in the name of their GO
vernment, their arrival / momentarily ex-
pect.
The approaches of a war, which COM
mencednnder such bloody and terrible au,
spices and which menaced the four quar-
tiers of the globe, induced the French go
vernment to turn It's attention and its cares
TO these regions. Motives of prudence and
humanity, uniting with a more enlarged
and solid policy, motives in a word, wor-
thy Of the genius of that power which bal
lances the great destinies of nations, have
given a new direction to the benehcient IN
rentions of France and have determined her
TO cede Louisiana to the United States of
America.
You, thus become, people of louisiana,
the interesting pledge of friendship be-
tween two Republics, which cannot fail of
increasing, and becoming every .dav more.
secure and more strong; a pledge which
viii powerfully contribute TO their common.
repose and their common prosperity.
The third article OF the treaty will not
escape Your notice. Itisthere said g The.
inhabitants Of the ceded territory shall be
Incorporated IN the union of the United
States, and admitted as soon as possible,
according TO the principles of the federal
constitution, to the enjoyment of all the
rights, advantages and immunities of citi-
zens of the United States; and in the mean
tine they shall be maintained and protect
cd in the free enjoyment of their liberty,
property, and the religion which they pro-
fcss.'
thus you behold yourselves, people cf Leuisi-
anna, suddenly invested with a right TO the pri-
Wedges Of free constitution and government,
raised By power, commented BY treaties, and test.
cd by a long experience.
You are sbeI, 10 make part Of an slready
numerous and powerful people, renowned for
tier erterpfze, their INDUSTRY, their patriorIsnl,
TER knowledge !; aud who, in their rapid career,
lfem'se soon 10 arrive at the highest and most
ntii'isnt rank, ever reached by any nation upon
'st lace Of the glcbe LIS position is at the same
'a'e 50 fortunate, as TO prevent It's splendor and
'Ssesss omlessFning its happiness.
Haweye, benevolent may be the views Of the
''P'sss county, tof which you are not ignorantl
'ps Immense distance Of such colony. IS ram
isis Witch covers crpfession, exa6tion, and
sslsc ard the facility and certainty Of conceal.
'ssas wsich i afnds, often corrupts tie man,
".'o ~ other circumstances W uld have looked
S.'' dsSesiasion on injustice. From this momsnt
~ Cease 70 be exposed to this fataf-ev.
Sen The nature of tie government Of tie y.