Claiborne, Proclamation to the People of New Orleans, 1803
William C.C. Claiborne, the man appointed to be the first governor of the new territory obtained with the Louisiana Purchase, issued this proclamation in 1803. Written in English, French, and Spanish for the residents of the multicultural city—which had been previously controlled by both France and Spain—the proclamation informed the people of New Orleans of the Louisiana Purchase and that their city would from then on be governed by the United States.
William C. C. Claiborne, Proclamation to the residents of New Orleans (in English, French, and Spanish), December 20, 1803. Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, National Archives.
