The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

PHILADELPHIA:

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 1803.

By the Matilda from New Orleans we learn that on the 15th, a Spanish frigate had just arrived in the river Mississippi with specie to pay off the Spanish civil and military establishment there prior to the removal of those of the Spanish officers who choose not to remain.

Various articles of subordinate importance have reached us by the same medium.

It was understood at New Orleans that the marquis Casa Calvo had been sent to New Orleans, by his court to arrange with the French commissioner (Laussat) the delivery of the colony to France. A disposition however was manifested on the part of the said incumbents of office under the Spanish government, and who still remained under the circumstances of the case in discharge of the functions, to procrastinate the delivery of the colony to the United States as long as possible. This we are assured did not arise from any hostile disposition of the government of Spain but from the desire of the individuals to hold stations, under which a most extensive and uniform system of bribery had been exercised in every department of the inferior administration.

The love of office, however, is not likely to be gratified in this respect—as we learn from another quarter, that our government, which it has been so customary to designate as pusillanimous and destitute of energy, has directed that the place be taken possession of first according to treaty—and to pulverize afterwards.

Gen. Wilkinson left Pensacola on the 5th November, for the head quarters of the United States detachment, at Fort Adams—from hence he was to proceed for New Orleans with an escort of about 2000 men, on or about the 20th inst.

Gen. Wilkinson's detachment is thought sufficient to do the honors which courtesy requires—our nation receives the favor, a little holiday parade and rejoicing is a cheap service on the occasion.

The Americans resident at New Orleans at this time, are said to be very numerous—and great festivity is expected to take place at the transfer of the sovereignty of Louisiana.