QUERIES AS TO LOUISIANA - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807) [1905]
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The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 10.
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QUERIES AS TO LOUISIANA
j. mss.
[July 15? 1803?]
1. What are the boundaries of Louisiana, and on what authority does each portion of them rest?
2. What is the distance from New Orleans to the nearest point of the western boundary?
3. Into what divisions is the province laid off?
4. What officers civil or military are appointed to each division, and what to the general government with a definition of their powers?
5. What emoluments have they, and from what source derived?
6. What are the annual expenses of the province drawn from the Treasury?
7. What are the nett receipts of the Treasury, & from what taxes or other resources are they drawn?
8. On what footing is the church & clergy, what lands have they and from what other funds are they supported?
9. What is the population of the province distinguishing between white and black, but excluding Indians, on the East side of the Mississippi? Of the settlement on the west side next the mouth? Of each district settlement in the other parts of the province? And what the geographical position and extent of each of these settlements?
10. What are the foundations of their land titles? And what their tenure?
11. What is the quantity of granted lands as near as can be estimated?
12. What is the quantity ungranted in the Island of New Orleans, and in the settlement adjacent on the west side?
13. What are the lands appropriated to the public use?
14. What buildings, fortifications, or other fixed property belong to the public?
15. What is the quantity & general limits of the lands fit for the culture of sugar? What proportion is granted & what ungranted?
16. Whence is their code of laws derived? A copy of it, if in print.
17. What are the best maps, general or particular, of the whole or parts of the province? Copies of them if to be had in print.
Washington July 17th, 1803.
Dear Sir,
—Your favor in answer to my queries came to hand a few days ago, and I thank you for the matter it contains & the promptness with which it has been furnished. Just on my departure from this place, where I habitually pass the sickly months of Aug. & Sep. I have time only to ask information on a particular point. It has been affirmed by respectable authority, that Spain on receiving the East & West Florida of the English, did not continue that distinction, but restored Louisiana to it’s antient boundary the Perdido, and that the country from the Perdido to the Iberville has been ever since considered as a part of Louisiana, & governed by the governor of Louisiana residing at New Orleans: While the country from the Perdido Eastwardly to the Atlantic has been called as antiently, by the simple name of Florida, & governed by the governor of Florida residing at St.Augustine. The terms of the treaty render this fact very interesting if true, inasmuch as it fills up the measure of reasoning which fixes the extent of the cession Eastwardly to the Perdido. I write the present to ask of you to ascertain this fact & to give the information as quickly as possible, as it may yet be received in time to determine our proceedings. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect.
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