Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1804

JEFFERSON, Thomas (1743-1826). Manuscript document signed ("Th:Jefferson") as President, Washington, 12 December 1804.

One page on vellum, 316 x 404mm (several pinholes at folds, light foxing at margins). Countersigned by James MADISON (1751-1836) ("James Madison") as Secretary of State. With intact wax and paper seal of the United States affixed at lower left.

Jefferson appoints William C. C. Claiborne as the first (and only) Governor of the Territory of Orleans. Claibourne had been serving as governor of the Mississippi Territory when Jefferson appointed Claiborne (1775-1817) to act as commissioner to oversee the transfer of Louisiana's sovereignty to the United States in 1803. The legislation that approved the acquisition of Louisiana granted Claiborne acting Governor. In late 1804, Jefferson signed the present commission appointing Claibourne "Governor in and over the Territory of Orleans…" under the provisions of the Governance Act of 1804 that framed the territorial government. Unable to speak French, governance proved challenging for the not yet 30 year-old Claiborne—distrusted by many segments of the local population. Despite these challenges, Claiborne managed to garner enough trust that when Louisiana was admitted to the Union, the new state elected him its first governor. Following his single term, during which he would help organize the defense of New Orleans late in the War of 1812, represented Louisiana in the Senate: a post he held until his death in 1817. Provenance William C. C. Claiborne – by descent to the consignor.

[With:] a lithograph of Claiborne by Goupil & Co., Paris (135 x 110mm). Framed.