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LETTER BOOKS OF W. C. C. CLAIBORNE.
S3
habitants copies of the ordinance establishing the Parish of Pascagoula. You are entrusted with four blank commissions for .Justices of the peace in the parish of Pascagoula which you will fill up with the names of such Citizens as (from the best information you can obtain) you shall deem most entitled to public confidence.
To the several Justices of the peace you will administer an Oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and also an Oath of Ofiiee; and present to each a copy of the Civil Code, and of the Laws of the Territory of which eight copies will be delivered to your Order on tomorrow by Mr, Vassant.
It has been confidently stated to me that a Mr. Duprie styling Major and acting as he says under a commission from "Reuben Kemper, styling himself Col: in the service of the Florida Convention, has at his command a body of armed men, principally Americans; and that Duprie has committed depredations on the good Inhabitants of Pascagoula. It will be advisable that you see Duprie or some of his confidential associates; that you inform him or them that the powers of the Florida Convention are no more; that the people of Pascagoula are now under the protection of the American (Jovernment; and that the authority of the Laws will be brought to bear against the disturbers of the public peace, and the violators o! the rights of others.
Commodore Shaw will furnish you with a Boat; and Captain Farragout of the navy will accompany you. He is well acquainted with the Country and the people; and may be serviceable as an Interpreter of the Spanish language.
Von will purchase on the public account two stand of Colors; and keep an account of all your expences which shall be remunerated.
I shall expect on your return a report in writing, stating all occurances of importance; and in which report you