The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-12-21
.Mr. Srtth 10 Gspsrnsm Claisorne.
pEPAurMENr OF STATE, occ 81.

)
SrR-from the enclosed poo. .tion ot the pres
ident of the United States you will perceive his de-
termination 10 take posse of the territory there
in specified, in the name sodon behalf of the United
States the considerations which have constrained
him resort to this necessary sure, and ms d-
recton that you, govcEour Of Ncw-tlreans terri
tory, shall execute the same. Of this proclamation,
upon your srriva 1t Natchez you will, without dc.
lay to be printed many copies, in the Eng
lish French, and Spanish langusgeso may be deem.
ed necessary, and YOU will c"use the same To be x
tensi,ely crcula cd throughout the said territory.
You will immediatn.y proceed by the nearest AID
bes to the town of Washington, in the Missip-
pi territory. From the secretary of war YOU will
ceive order to the officers commanding the several
frontier posts to afford you such assistance passing
the wilderness, and in descending the western waters
a. you may require. And, despatch is very desr-
able, you are authorized, in case your horses should
fall TO procure others at the pubiick expense. After
having made at Washington the necessary arrange.
ments with govemour Holmes and with the command.
ins officer OF The regular troops, you will, without
deay proceed into the territory, and, virtue of the
presidents proclamation, take possession ofthe same
in the name, and on behalf of the United States of
America.
As the district, the possession of which you are III.
rectCd 10 take, is considered making pare Of the
territory of Orleans, you viii, after taking osse sson
lose no time, in proceeding TO organize the militia to
prescribe the bounds of parishes to establish parish
courts, and finally to do whatever your legl powers
applicable to the case will warrant, and may be cal.
culated 10 maintain order, to 10 the inh.bi.
tans the peacabie enjoyment OF their liberty proper.
ty, and religion, and place them, as FAR as NAV be,
the same footing with the inhabitants of the 9th.
districts under your authofty A TAR as your pow
may be Inadequate TO these and ether requisite OBJ
jccts, the legislature of Orleans which It's understood
will soon be in session. will have an opportunity of
making further provisions for them, more especially
tor giving by aw, TO the inhabitants of said TERRITORY,
"A re- al pf arsl
semby it being desirable that the interval o,his pri-
vaton, should not be prolonged beyond the unavoid-
able necessity of the case.
IT, contrary to expectation, the occupation of this
territory on the part Of the United States should be
opposed by force the om,nandng officer Of the reg
utS ,Toops ON the Mississippi, will have orders from
the sccretaryof ,o afford yoa upon your appli-
Cation, the requisite aid should AN additional force
be accessory. You wl draw from the Orleans terrific
~, rs will go,ernour Homles from the Mississippi ter
rtory,mits in such numbers, and in such proper,
from your respective territories, as you and gov.
Holmes may deem proper Shout II, however. ANY par.
icuar pia {, however small, in possession Of
Spanisa force,you will proce ID 10 employ force ~
ganst it but you will make mine date report thereof
to this department
You viii avail yourself Of the first favousa.
bic opportunities that may occur, to transmit
to the several governours of the Spanish
provinces in the neighbourhood, copies Of the
presidents proclamation, with accompanying
letters o. conciiatory tendency.
To deiray any reasonable expenditures
which may necessarily attend the execution
cf these Instructions the president au,hsriz.
IS you,ha,ing due regard TO eoonomy,to drav
Sor a'sum, not exceeding in any event, twenty
thousand dollars
From the confidence which the pr s;den;