Accept assurances of my high
consideration and respect.
TH. JEFFERSON.
NATCHEZ, _November 25, 1802_.
The Honorable the Secretary of State,
_Washington_.
SIR: I have the honor to inclose you an original copy of a communication
(together with a translation thereof) which I this morning received
from the governor-general of the Province of Louisiana in answer to my
letters of the 28th ultimo.
I am, sir, with respect and esteem, your humble servant,
WILLIAM C.C. CLAIBORNE.
[Translation.]
New Orleans, _November 15, 1802_.
His Excellency WILLIAM C.C. CLAIBORNE.
Most Excellent Sir: I received a few days past your excellency's
esteemed letter of the 28th ultimo, in which your excellency, referring
to the twenty-second article of the treaty of friendship, navigation,
and limits agreed upon between the King, my master, and the United
States of America, has been pleased to inquire, after transcribing the
literal text of said article (which you find so explicit as not to
require any comment nor to admit of dubious construction), if His
Majesty has been pleased to designate any other position on the banks
of the Mississippi, and where that is, if his royal pleasure does not
continue the permission stipulated by the said treaty which entitled the
citizens of the United States to deposit their merchandise and effects
in the port of New Orleans; and you request at the same time that, as
the affair is so interesting to the commerce of the United States and
to the welfare of its citizens, I may do you the favor to send you an
answer as early as possible.
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