citizen of the United States, impressed into the British frigate Endymion, from the American ship Eagle. No protection. Time not stated.

William Chandler, a British subject, taken into the English service at Falmouth, Jama. from the American ship Anna, Caleb Johnson, master. No protection.

William Fegarie, belonging to the American brig Sally, claimed by the French at St. Pierres, Guadaloupe, as a citizen of France, and kept as such. Time not stated.

Nicholas Bullea, by birth a Frenchman, impressed into the service of France, from the American brig Joseph, at St. Pierres. Time not stated.

John Nicholson, a black man, with a certificate of freedom, impressed from the American brig Canton at Surinam on the 5th October, into a Dutch frigate.

Summary of Impressments by the British from American

vessels:

Forty-three impressments of citizens of the United States appear to have been made, of whom twelve had protections:

Ten, of natives of the British dominions, and not stated to be naturalized as American citizens: and

Seventeen, of all other countries, who are not stated to have been naturalized in the United States..

Summary of Impressments by the Agents of other powers, from American vessels:

Two, by the agents of France:

One, by the agents of the Batavian Republick. Department of State, December 2, 1803.

Extract of a Letter from James Maury, Esq. Consul of the United States at Liverpool, to the Secretary of State, dated March, 24, 1803.

"I HAD the honour to write to you on the 25th ultimo, since which the alarm of war has occasioned a great press for seamen. Many of ours, confident, as I suppose, in the continuance of peace, had not taken the caution before

leaving home, to be furnished with regular documents of citizenship, which exposes them to impressment."

Extract of a Letter from John W. Fox, Esq. Consul of the • United States at Falmouth, to the Secretary of State, dated May 14, 1803.

"THE impress is very severe. The citizens of the United States are not molested; two or three without pro tections and on board British ships have been taken. I have made application for their release, but it is necessary that the seamen should bring certificates of their citizenship with them, otherwise they will run great risk of being impressed."

Extract of a Letter from Wm. Savage, Esq. Agent of the United States for the relief and protection of their seamen at Jamaica, to the Secretary of State, dated June 25, 1803.

"THERE has been a hot press throughout this island. In this port about sixty seamen have been taken out of American vessels, immediately after which I made application to the admiral, who liberated the American citizens. Some few vessels on the north side have lost their men, and have experienced distress from the measure. The names of the persons impressed I have a minute of, and on the arrival of the frigates in which they are, I shall make application for their discharge."

Copy of a letter from Thomas Barclay, Esq. Consul General of

his Britannic Majesty for the eastern states of the United States, to the Secretary of State, dated October 20, 1803.

SIR,

I HAVE the honour to enclose you the copy of a letter, which I yesterday received from commodore Hood, commander in chief of his majesty's ships of war on the windward station, notifying the blockade of the islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe by the squadron under his command. I have the honour, &c. &c. (Signed)

THOMAS BARCLAY

[COPY.] Centaur, off Martinique, July 25, 1803.

SIR,

I BEG you will have the goodness to acquaint the American government, and agents of neutral nations, the islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe are, and have been blockaded by detachments of his majesty's squadron, under my command, since the 17th June last, that they may have no plea for attempting to enter the ports of those islands. By your acknowledging the receipt of this, you will greatly oblige, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed)

SAMUEL HOOD,

Commodore and Commander in Chief.

Thomas Barclay Esq. Consul General, &c.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE united states, JANUARY 16, 1804.

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U. 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, Governour 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 commis

sioners, on their arrival at New Orleans, found the province already delivered by the commissaries of Spain to that of France, who delivered it over to them on the 20th day of December, as appcars by their declaratory act accompanying this. Governour Claiborne, being duly invested with the powers heretofore exercised by the Governour 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 favourable 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.

January 16, 1804.

SIR,

TH: JEFFERSON.

CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, DEC. 20, 1803.

We have the satisfaction to announce to you, that the province of Louisiana was this day surrendered to the United States by the commissioner of France; and to add, that the flag of our country was raised in this city amidst the acclamations of the inhabitants.

The enclosed is a copy of an instrument of writing, which was signed and exchanged by the commissioners of the two governments, and is designed as a record of this interesting transaction.

Accept assurances of our respectful consideration. WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBORNE, JA: WILKINSON.

The Hon. JAMES MADISON, Secretary of State,

City of Washington.

THE undersigned William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson, commissioners or agents of the United States, agreeable to the full powers they have received from Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, under date of the 31st. October, 1808, and twenty-eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America, (8) Brumaire, 12 year of the French Republick) countersigned by the Secretary of State, James Madison, and citizen Peter Clement Laussat, Colonial Prefect, and commissioner of the French Government for the delivery in the name of the French Republick of the country, territories and dependencies of Louisiana, to the commissioners or agents of the United States, conformably to the powers, commission, and special mandate which he has received in the name of the French people from citizen Buonaparte, first consul, under date of the 6th June, 1803, (17 Prairial, 11 year of the French Repubiick) countersigned by the Secretary of State, Hugues Maret, and by his excellency the minister of marine and colonies, Decres, do certify by these presents, that on this day, Tuesday the 20th December, 1803 of the christian era, (28th Frimaire, 12 year of the French Republick) being convened in the hall of the Hotel de Ville of New Orleans, accompanied on both sides by the chiefs and officers of the army and navy, by the municipality and divers respectable citizens of their respective republicks, the said William C. C. Claiborne and James Wilkinson delivered to the said citizen Laussat their aforesaid full powers, by which it evidently appears that full power and authority has been given them jointly and severally to take possession of and to occupy the territories ceded by France to the United States by the treaty concluded at Paris on the 30th day of April last past, (10th Florial) and for that purpose to repair to the said territory and there to execute and perform all such acts and things, touching the premises, as may be necessary for fulfilling their appointment conformable to the said treaty and the