Sugar planter. [volume] (West Baton Rouge [i.e. Port Allen, West Baton Rouge Parish, La.]) 1856-1925, 1860-01-14
New orleans Correspondence.
New ORLEANS, Jan 18th.

New ORLEANS, Jan 18th: 1860.
ED. SUGAR PLANTER When in 1903, the
extensive and beautiful region Of Louisiana
was coded to the United States by the First
| Consul of France, it was the desire and in
~tention of President Jefferson to appoint Gen.
lafayette, Governor of the newly acquired
Territory. The appointment of the bosom
friend of Washington, one who had perllled
his life and fortune in the cause of American
independence, would have been highly graft
flying to every citizen of the republic, while
at the same time, it would have been ex-
tremely acceptable to the people of Louisi-
ana, who were at that period of kindred race
and language. The offer was made, but ex-
traordinary circumstances rendered the ac-
ceptance impossible. 1t will pc remembered,
that for several years previous to the %cession,
Lafayette had been an exile, and in close con-
inement, in the Austrian dungeons at Olmutz,
and all his estates confiscated by the reyolu-
tionary bloodhounds Of the reign Of terror.
Our Minister = France, Mr.. Livingston,
writing to the President on the 2sth of Octo-
Der, 1902, said: "Lafayet.e's situation de-
mands the aid of our country. He was ready
to sacrifice every for US, and we owe him
something effectual. We must try and get
Mr.. Randolph, or some other le~d;ng member
of Congress to patronize him. Our gratitude
will do US honor abroad, and not be unpopu-
lar at home"
The appointment of Lafayette being out Of
the question, the second choice fell upon w.
C. C. Claiborne, then Governor of the Missis~
sippi territory. As he was Chief Magistrate of
the Orleans Territory during nine years, and
the first Governor Of the State of Louisiana,
which important and responsible positions he
filled with signal ability, at the most critical
period of our history, it may not be out of
place to give q brief sketch of his antecedents
prior to his new and arduous administration.
Born in Virginia at the commencement of
the war of independence, son Of a revolution
airy sire, from earliest childhood he had heard
related from the lips of his father, the gallant
exploits of the American soldiers, the hard
ships they had encountered, the battles they
had fought, the victories they had won. This
mode Of familiar family instruction was well
calculated to impress upon his youthful mind
. strong attachment to the principles of our
free government, and that ardent love of lib
erty which was ever msnifest both in his
private and public life. AT the early age of
nine years he had adopted as his motto
"Cara patria, carlo, liberals; rbi est h6e,tat, ibi
est m.ea patyia." [Dear to me is my country,
but dearer is liberty; where liberty dwells,
there is my country S
At the age of sixteen he left the Academy
at Richmond at which he had acquired some
knowledge of the Ancient languages and
Mathematics, and at which he had gained the
first prize in oratory, and removed to New
York for the purpose of stud ying law. Con-
gress was th.n in session at New York, but
shortly afterward being removed to Philadel-
phia, Mr.. Claiborne went thither also. Here
he became connected with a literary club, Of
which Mr.. jefferson and other eminent men
of that period were members. This was the
beginning of that intimate friendship, which
lasted during life, between the great and
little Mingo,o as he and Jefferson were styled
by their enemies. Before he was of age he
obtained license in Richmond, Va, to practice
law; and by the advice of Gen. John SEWER
then a delegate in Congress, from the Terri
tory South West OF the Ohio,'' he removed to
Sullivan county, now State of Tennessee,
where he entered upon the practice of the
law, in which he was eminently successful.
A short time after his arrival in the Terrific
Ty, he was elected a member Of the Conven-
ton called to organize a State Convention
and Government, and it was 10 this Conven-
ton that he first became associated with the
immortal Jackson, who first proposed the
name of Tennessee for the new State.
After the adjournment OF the Convention,
Gen. Sewer was elected Governor, and Mr..
Claiborne, at the age of twenty-five years,
was appointed a Judge Of the Supreme Court
of the State. After a short continuance in
office he was elected a Representative to
Congress. This was the memorable session,
when the contest between Jefferson and Burr
occurred. Mr.. Claiborne, as a matter of
course, voted for his friend throughout the
thirty-seven bailotings that took place. His
Congressional career though of short duration
was useful to his constituents ard honorable
to himself.
A misunderstanding having arisen between
the Governor and people Of the Mississippi
Territory, the citizeus petitioned the Presi-
dent to appoint Mr.. Claiborne, as Governor;
the request was granted, and he reached the
beautifuls hills of Natchez IN 4he o2d If M