St. Louis - The Fourth City, Volume 1. Walter Barlow Stevens

characterize the Governors of Louisiana."

      Assimilation wrought its perfect work in the extension of American authority over the Louisiana Territory. By the stroke of a pen the area of the United States was doubled. By the exercise of a wise policy the allegiance of the people was transferred without the firing of a gun, excepting the salutes of the flags. Many of these newly made Americans west of the Mississippi were of alien descent and of different tongues. Furthermore, many events of the decade preceding the purchase had been such as might be expected to provoke and intensify a spirit of hostility. The sentiment of the settlers east of the Mississippi had been more than once dangerously near actual violence against the Spanish rule west. Not long before negotiations culminated in the treaty of acquisition, a United States senator had been exposed in intrigue to incite war by the Indian Tribes of Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi against the Spanish garrisons and people on the Louisiana Territory side. So flagrant were the facts in the case that the senator had been compelled to resign to escape impeachment. On the floor of Congress speeches were made foreshadowing open conflict along the Father of Waters if some settlement of international relations was not reached speedily. It was a period of unrest and of resort to arms the world over. Bonaparte sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States by a treaty of April 30, 1803. Less than three weeks later, on the 16th of May, war was declared by Great Britain against France. Russia put a squadron into commission. Other nations made preparations to take part in a world-wide contest for territory and power. Nevertheless the United States proceeded to extend its authority over the new acquisition from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains without the masking of men, or the show of force. Notably prompt and gratifying was the acknowledgement of the new allegiance made by the people of Upper Louisiana, of which St. Louis was the capital.

      How was the assimilation accomplished? The letters of William Henry Harrison, recently obtained for publication, illuminate the policy. From Vincennes the governor of the Northwest Territory worked out the problem with the Governor of Upper Louisiana, Charles De Hault Delassus.

      News traveled slowly in those days. Although the treaty was signed in Paris on the 30th of April, 1803, the first information of it reached St. Louis through a letter sent by Governor Harrison to Governor Delassus, dated the 2nd of August at Vincennes, The treaty was not ratified at Washington until the 19th of October. Governor Harrison conveyed the intelligence to Governor Delassus in the following letter:

       Vincennes, 12th Novr., 1803.

       My Dear Sir:—

       Since the beginning of September I have been be severely afflicted with an inflammation in the eyes and am entirely unable to answer the several kind letters which you have written me.

       I believe that my trip to your country will be postponed for some time. I have been waiting for final orders which I have not yet received, but it is not impossible that I may receive orders this very day to go on immediately. Enclosed herewith you will receive the message of the President to Congress in which he communicates the purchase of Louisiana to that body. The treaty is now before the Senate whose constitutional power it is to advise the President to ratify it or not. That it will be ratified there is little doubt, but I cannot say when possession will be taken.

       There is nothing new from Europe but the probability of a revolt in France — everything seems to prognosticate it, and should it be successful the restoration of Monarchy is thought to be inevitable. Bonaparte, however, still threatens England with an invasion, and the English are straining every nerve to be in readiness to receive them. It is said of late, however, that the First Consul will not command in person because it is supposed that his embarkation will be the signal for the malcontents to rise. Spain has not yet, that we know of, taken part in the war; it is even said that the wishes of the Court are strongly in favor of England. The northern powers (Russia particularly) are very much offended at the operations of the French in Hanover. A strong squadron of Russian ships of war have been put in commission and were daily expected in one of the French Ports. What their ultimate destination may be is not known but it cannot be unfavorable to England aa they are to use the ports of that kingdom to refit.

      

       5 o'clock P. M.

       The mail has just arrived and has brought us the intelligence of the Treaty with France having been ratified by the President and Senate of the United States. Enclosed herewith you will receive a copy of the Treaty and Conventions.

       Some public business demanding my attention, I conclude with requesting you to present me in the most respectful terms to Madam and Mr. Delassus and believe me

       The Honble Sincerely yr. friend

       Charles DeHault Delassus (Signed) Will 'm Henry Harrison.

       Lt. Governor of Upper Louisiana.

      The action of the Senate on October 19 reached Vincennes, it will be observed, on the 12th day of November. The Government at Washington proceeded deliberately in the matter. Not until the 20th of December, 1803, was the authority transferred at New Orleans. Nearly three months more elapsed before the American officer, Captain Stoddard, appeared at St. Louis and, on March 10, 1804, formally raised the American flag.

      In the meantime, Governor William Henry Harrison, acting for the administration at Washington, as may be read between the lines, was at work on the plans to make the acceptance of American citizenship easy and profitable to the people of the territory. He had written to Delassus when the first information of the signing of the treaty reached Vincennes:

      "I do not know what the United States will do with Upper Louisiana, but think it probable that it will be annexed. Should this be the case, it may give me the opportunity of serving some of your friends. If this opportunity does offer, be assured, my dear sir, that it shall not be neglected."

      As the assimilation policy of the administration at Washington developed, Governor Harrison went much farther in his overtures calculated to carry that policy into effect. He extended the assurance that no radical changes were to be made at once in the laws. He informed Governor Delassus that the districts were to remain geographically as constituted, and that commandants were to receive the pay and emoluments of colonels in the American Army. He even suggested the probability that one of these very important commissions might be bestowed upon the father of the Spanish governor. On the 25th of February, 1804, about three weeks before the transfer at St. Louis, Governor Harrison sent this letter to Governor Delassus.

       Vincennes, 25th February, 1804.

       My Dear Sir: —

       I have delayed writing to you for some time under the expectation of being able to inform you of the final arrangement of our Government relative to Louisiana. I am, however, disappointed, for as yet I have seen only the draft of a law on the subject which has not yet been adopted, but I believe that or something very like it will ultimately pass. For Upper Louisiana a governor is to be appointed who is to be vested with all the powers of the late governor-gen'l., and the laws now in force are to prevail. The commandants, however, of the several districts are to be appointed by the President, their duties to be as heretofore, their compensation the pay and emoluments of a Colonel in our service, which is 75 dollars per month, twelve rations per diem and forage to the amount of (12 per month, making altogether a sum not less than $2,000 per annum. If your venerable father -should determine to remain where he is, assure him, my friend, that every exertion in my power will be made to procure for him one of these appointments. I am not by any means sure that I shall succeed, but my friends have some influence. I mean to write myself immediately to the President on the subject, and I have some reason to believe that he will respect my recommendation.

       I would like to know as soon as possible when you propose to take your departure, and if you go to New Orleans or embark at Philadelphia for Spain — in the latter case I would have the pleasure of seeing you here.