The Enquirer

COMMUNICATION.

Monday the 30th ultimo, being the anniversary of the cession of the province of Louisiana to the United States was commemorated by the citizens of New-Orleans, with unusual festivity and harmony: a gun from the fort announced the approach of this auspicious day, and immediately every American vessel in the harbour was decorated with the flag of the United States.

At eleven o'clock the members of the municipality, and justices of the Court of Pleas, the officers of the regular troops, the Captains of the respective vessels in port, and a numerous assemblage of citizens and strangers waited on his Excellency Governor Claiborne, to tender him their congratulations on the return of this ever memorable day, shortly after which the battalion of Orleans Volunteers, under the command of Major D'Orsiere, marched in regular order along the street contiguous to the Levee, saluted the Governor as they passed, and marching around the square of the Place d'Armes, returned and formed a line in front of the Government House, where the whole corps was reviewed by his excellency, who expressed great satisfaction at the promptitude with which they performed the various military evolutions.

His excellency then retired, and after a short time returned, bearing a standard of the United States, beautifully adorned with the American Eagle, and other appropriate embellishments, the introduction of which occasioned the most profound silence in every direction. The vast crowd of citizens who filled and surrounded the Government House, impelled by sentiments of respect and veneration for the ensign of liberty, involuntarily saluted it by pulling off their hats, and remaining uncovered during the whole of this interesting scene. His excellency presented the standard with great dignity and becoming solemnity, to Major D'Orsiere, and at the same time made a short but impressive speech to that officer, who immediately delivered a suitable reply-these it is hoped will be given to the public in their native form. Major D'Orsiere committed the standard to Ensign Ross of the Orleans Rangers, senior ensign of the corps, who immediately displayed it in front of the battalion.

During this interesting ceremony, the favorite American tune YANKE Doodle, was played by the band of music attached to the army, and followed by a salute of seventeen guns from the fort. The respective companies were then dismissed, and repaired with a large concourse of citizens to the great hall in the Government House, where they partook of an elegant collation, with a variety of wines, prepared by his Excellency for the occasion, who being seated at the head of the table, gave the following toasts (to the best recollection of the writer,) which were drank amidst the acclamations of every person present:

Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence in '76, and faithful to its principles in 1804.

James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, whose talents and virtues have so eminently contributed to the glory of our country and the extension of its empire.

The Constitution of the United States, may it be perpetual.

Louisiana, a young and promising daughter of the United States, may the principles which cement the American family, "grow with her growth, and strengthen with her strength."

The governor then withdrew from the Hall, when, by universal consent the following was given.

William C. C. Claiborne, Governor General of Louisiana--9 cheers.

Several other volunteer toasts were then drank, and the company dispersed until the evening, when a splendid ball was given by his Excellency, which, (notwithstanding the rain that fell in the afternoon, and continued during the evening) was attended by above 100 ladies, whose brilliancy equalled any thing heretofore witnessed in this City: a more flattering evidence of female patriotism has never yet been displayed than by the fair daughters of Louisiana on this envied occasion, and surely it cannot fail of inspiring every son of freedom with new zeal in support of our happy constitution, and an earnest desire for the continuance of the present tranquility.

The cheerful and animating deportment of the Governor during the whole of this festival, excited the plaudits of every beholder, and like the powers of electricity diffused itself through every circle, so that the most perfect joy and hilarity prevailed without the intervention of a solitary chasm. To describe the sensations which arose with irresistible impetuosity in the breast of every spectator, at the moment when the first American standard was committed to the citizens of Louisiana, as a banner under which they might rally, and pledge a mutual vow, that no rude hand should ever tarnish it, is a task Herculean indeed, and to which language is totally inadequate. Suffice it to say, that every feature beamed with glowing pleasure, and every heart exulted in the triumph of liberty and justice.

I cannot omit mentioning, that the governor took occasion to express to the volunteers after they entered the Great Hall, the regret which he experienced, at not being able to present on this day a standard to the City Militia; he observed that the indisposition of Colonel Bellechasse, and Major Livaudais, preventing their attendance, he was for the present deprived of the satisfaction; he however, would favour the volunteers with a sight of the banner under which the City Militia would glory to rally, and would defend with their blood. The standard was then exhibited by his Excellency amidst the acclamations of some hundreds of citizens.

We are indebted to Major D'Orsiere, for copies of the following address and answer.

Address of Governor Claiborne to Major D'Orsiere, on the presenting the standard of the United States.

"With peculiar pleasure, I present to the Orleans Volunteers, a standard of the United States of America, the choicest gift and the brightest honor that I could confer, or they receive.

"To the battalion under your command, I commit this beloved ensign of our country, impressed with the fullest confidence, that in peace it will be cherished as the altar of their national pride, the sacred Symbol of liberty, and that in war it will be surrendered only with their lives."

WILLIAM C. C. CLAIBORNE.

April 30th, 1804.

To which Major D'Orsiere made the following reply.

"Your Excellency will be pleased to permit the Battalion of Orleans Volunteers to express through me their sentiments of gratitude for the honor this day conferred, in presenting them with the standard of their country.-In peace we will assemble to commemorate the national festivals of United America, under this standard-- and in war if called to the field of Mars against the foes of our land and liberty, we will defend it to the last drop of our blood."

EUGENE D'ORSIERE.

April 30.