The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-03-29
(COPY)
Weqo- Orleans, Fe6. 1st. 1910.


SIR,
In conformity with the request Of the
Legislative Council, and house of Represen
tatives of the Territory OF Orleans, have
the honor to transmit YOU certain resoiuti-
oas, expressive of their high sense = Of your
long faithful and important public servi-
ces :" and of their grateful recollection Of
your interference in the case of the Bat
ture, the preservation of which as a pub :
lie common is considered to be OF no less
AN object of public utility than of national
justice.
The Legislative Council and House of
Representatives further reques ed me to
convey 10 you their best wishes, for a
continuance of your life, health and hap
piness," to which beg leave to add those
also of
Your faithful friend,
(Signed)
WIN. c. c. CLAIBORNE.
Mr. Til: JEFFERSON,
Monticello. Virginia.
(COPY)
MONTICELLO, May 8, 1910.
SIR,
Your favor of February first but lately
came to my hand. 1t brings me new proofs.
in the resolutions 1t enclosed, of the indsl-
gence with which the Legislature of Or.
leans has been pleased to view my conduct
in the various duties assigned 10 me by our
common country. The times in which we
have lived have called for all the services
which any of its citizens could render. and
if mine have met appreciation, they are full
ly rewarded.
The nterposition. noticed by the Legis-
iature OF Orleans, was an act of duty of the
office ] then occupied Charged with the
care OF the general interests of The nation,
and among these with the preservation OF
their lands from intrusion, exercised on
their behalf a right given by nature 10 all
men, individual or associated, bat of res
culng their own property wrongiul!y taken.
In cases of foicible entry on individual pos
session, special provisions both of the COM
mon and civil law have restrained The
right of rescue by private force, and sub
stituted the aid of the civil power |; bur no
law has restrained the right of the nation 10
sell, from removing, by ITS own arm, IN
truders ON it's possessions On the ntra I.
statute, recently passed. had rcquiI ed
that such removals should be diligently
made. The Batture of New o leans being
part OF the bed contained betveen the two
banks of the river; naked shoal indeed
at low water. but covered through the whole
season of its regular full tides, and then
forming the ground of rhe por, and harbour
lot the upper navigation, over which YES
sells ride of necessity, when moored to the
bank, deemed it public property in which
all had common use. The renewal too of
the force, which had possessed itself Of it,
vas the more urgent from the interruption
it might give to the commerce and other
lawful uses of the inhabitants of the city &
OF the western waters generally.
III this aid from the public auth ority was
particularly interesting to the Territory
OF Orleans, it certainly adds new satisfac-
ton to my consciousness ofhaying done what
was right.
/ ask the favor of you TO convey to the
Legislature OF Orleans my gratitude foi the
interest they are so kind to express in nv
future happiness and l pray the COVER
n r of the universe, that he may always
have them and our country in his holy
keeping
(Signed)
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
His ErceNency Coz. }
(yalhDrue