From James Madison to Caesar A. Rodney, 5 February 1807
To Caesar A. Rodney
Department of State, Feb. 5th. 1807.
Sir.
The enclosed documents from Judge Lucas, evince a difference of opinion between him & the acting Governor.1 Should the construction of the latter be erronious it may be necessary to warn him of it, I therefore request the favor of your sentiments upon the case. I am &c.
James Madison.
Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). Enclosures not found, but see n. 1.
1. JM may have referred to John B. C. Lucas to Albert Gallatin, 25 Nov. 1806, and its enclosure from Lucas to Clement B. Penrose of the same date (printed in Carter, Territorial Papers, Louisiana-Missouri, 14:40–43), but it is unclear whether JM saw that letter. Acting governor Joseph Browne and Lucas expressed differing opinions on the 2 March 1805 law for “ascertaining and adjusting the titles and claims to land, within the territory of Orleans, and the district of Louisiana” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:324–29). For the dispute, see Browne to JM, 26 Aug. 1806 (PJM-SS, 12:247–49).