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NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 16, 1789.
SIR: General Wilkinson having represented to me, that you had
it in contemplation to settle in this province, and that your
example would have considerable influence on many good families
of your country, I think it my duty, in order to forward the
intentions of my royal master, to inform you that I shall
receive you and your followers with great pleasure, and that
you have liberty to settle in any part of Louisiana, or any
where on the east side of the Mississippi below the Yazoo
river. In order to populate the province, His Majesty has been
graciously pleased to authorize me to grant to the emigrants,
free of all expense, tracts of from two hundred and forty to
eight hundred acres, in proportion to their property; and in
particular cases of men of influence, who may aid these views,
I shall extend the grant as far as three thousand acres. To
all persons who actually become settlers, liberty is granted
to bring down their property in the produce of your country,
duty free; but the King does not agree to take your tobacco,
and, of consequence, you must depend upon the common market
of this city, as the province makes more than the quantity
which the King allows me to take. I mention this particular to
prevent disappointment. You will be exempt from taxation, and
will be allowed the private exercise of your religion without
molestation from any person whatever, and will enjoy all the
rights, privileges, and immunities of His Majesty’s other
subjects.
In order to cultivate an amicable connection with the settlers
of the Ohio, His Majesty has been graciously pleased, at the
same time, to give liberty to the inhabitants of that country
to bring down their produce to this city for sale, subject to
a duty of fifteen per cent, on the value here; but to prevent
imposition, and to distinguish between the real settler and
the trader, the former, on entering their produce at the
custom-house, will be obliged to subscribe to the conditions
mentioned in the proclamation, of which General Wilkinson
carries a copy for your information.
Though unknown to you, General Wilkinson has taught me to
respect your character.
It is, therefore, I subscribe myself, with great esteem, your
most obedient and humble servant,