The Message and account therein referred to were read, and ordered to lie
on file.
MONDAY, January 16.
The VICE PRESIDENT communicated a letter of this date from the Hon.
THEODORUS BAILEY, resigning his seat in the Senate; which was read, and
_Ordered_, That the VICE PRESIDENT be requested to notify the Executive
of the State of New York accordingly.
_Transfer of Louisiana._
The following Message was received from the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
_To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States_:
In execution of the act of the present session of Congress,
for taking possession of Louisiana, as ceded to us by France,
and for the temporary government thereof, Governor Claiborne,
of the Mississippi Territory, and General Wilkinson, were
appointed Commissioners to receive possession. They proceeded
with such regular troops as had been assembled at Fort
Adams, from the nearest posts, and with some militia of the
Mississippi Territory, to New Orleans. To be prepared for any
thing unexpected which might arise out of the transaction, a
respectable body of militia was ordered to be in readiness in
the States of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and a part of
those of Tennessee was moved on to the Natchez. No occasion,
however, arose for their services. Our Commissioners, on their
arrival at New Orleans, found the province already delivered
by the Commissioners of Spain to that of France, who delivered
it over to them on the 20th day of December, as appears by
their declaratory act accompanying this. Governor Claiborne
being duly invested with the powers heretofore exercised
by the Governor and Intendant of Louisiana, assumed the
government on the same day, and, for the maintenance of law
and order, immediately issued the proclamation and address now
communicated.
On this important acquisition, so favorable to the immediate
interests of our western citizens, so auspicious to the
peace and security of the nation in general, which adds to
our country territories so extensive and fertile, and to our
citizens new brethren to partake of the blessings of freedom
and self-government, I offer to Congress and our country my
sincere congratulations.