Virginia Argus

Extract of a letter from a gentleman of the Mississippi Territory, to the Editor of the Wilmington (N.C.) Mirror, dated at New Orleans, May 2.

"Under cover I send you the Union a paper edited in this city by Mr. Lyon. It contains a handsome and correct narrative of the commemoration of the 30th of April 1803, a day which must ever be auspicious to the United States, and felicitous to the citizens of Louisiana.

I was present from the commencement to the close of the ceremony.—It is impossible Sir, to do justice to the principal actors in this interesting scene, or to depict the various feelings which pervaded and agitated the bosoms of the surrounding multitude.—Joy was predominant! it beamed in the countenance of every spectator. All descriptions of citizens present, French, Spaniards and Americans hailed the dawn which the standard of the United States was unfurled in Louisiana, and which gave to them a republican form of government—On the exhibition of the ensign which the governor presented to the 'New-Orleans Volunteers, the most solemn and impressive silence prevailed. as it passed, the immense crowd by a sudden and involuntary impulse lifted their hats.—The governor with a pathos and energy peculiar to himself, delivered the address,' which animated his fellow-citizens to a pitch of feeling little short of ecstacy. Too much cannot be said in favor of governor Claiborne's conduct on this eventful occasion. His deportment during the whole of the day until the conclusion of the ball, has gained him universal applause.

"From this day's transaction, we have the strongest evidence of the pacific temper of the citizens of Louisiana towards the American government, and their entire satisfaction of the change which has been effected. It gives the lie direct to the numerous falsehoods and conjurations so industriously circulated in the federal prints with regard to the state of the public mind, and the situation of affairs in the territory. Since my stay here, for two weeks. the most perfect harmony and tranquility have prevailed. The political atmosphere is clear and serene. Not a distant cloud is to be seen above the horizon portending a storm. If one should arise, rest assured it will quickly be dispelled by the sunshine of republicanism.—Certain I am, but the good people of Louisiana cannot fail to be pleased with our constitution and government. They already evince that they feel the happy difference —Governor Claiborne has pursued the direct course to attach them to its principles and its forms. It is the opinion of the most intelligent citizens who have marked his administration with a scrutinizing eye. that the United States could not have obtained a better agent—this is the language of all who know him, and who are disposed to speak the truth.—A genuine republican, he delights in the happiness of the community, to which end without regard to persons every act of his administration is directed. In the various characters of governor, legislator and judge, he acts with a single eye to the public good. Mild and affable in his manners, yet firm to his purpose, he possesses the happy talent of conciliating the affections and gaining the confidence of the people—he merits both. This is but a feeble picture of the standing, conduct and character of governor Claiborne in the territory of New-Orleans— To do justice to all must be the work of an abler pen, and an intimate acquaintance."

From the Union.

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, & immediately every American vessel in the harbor 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 Principal, returned and formed a line in front of the Government House where the 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 Relf 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, Yankee 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 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 two hundred 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 hand should ever tarnish it, is a task Herculean 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 this satisfaction : he however would favor 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 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 highest honor that either 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 30, 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.