Administrative Problems of W. C. C. Claiborne, First Anglo-American Governor of Louisiana Page: 22
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-22-
was found that
. . . . the mnsacants as well as the planters in this
country appear to be wealthy, their habits of living
are luxiruous and expensive, but by far the greater
part of the people are deplorably uninformed. The
wretched Policy of the late government having dis-
couraged the education of youth. The attainments of
some of the first people consist only of a few ex-
terior accomplishments. Frivolous diversions seem
to be among their primary pleasures, and the display
of Wealth and the parade of por constitute their
highest objects of admiration.
Because of this, Claborne's first desire was to introduce some
effectual plan of attending to the system of education in that
province 25
Although Claiborne wanted a permanent government estab-
lished as soon as possible, he did not believe that it would
be wise to make it too representative. In waiting of this point
he remarked:
Permit me to repeat my solicitude for the early estab-
lishment of some permanent government for this prov-
ince, not merely on account of my personal interest
in the acceleration of that measure, but for the sake
of the country. When the charms of novelty have faded,
and the people have leisure to reflect, they will I
fear become very impatient in their present situation.
I could wish that the Constitution to be given this
district maybe as republican as the people can be
safely intrusted with. But the principles of a popu-
lar government are utterly beyond their cmprehension.
The Reptesentative System, is an enigma that at pres-
ent bewilders them. Long inured to passive obedience
they have, to an almost total want of political infor-
4Claiborne to Madison, Jan. 2, 1804, Official Letter
Books, Vol. I, p. 2.
5Claiborne was a faithful disciple of Jefferson in his
solicitude for the education of the people. One of his first
acts as a territorial governor had been the establishment of
Jefferson College in Mississippi Territory.
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Lowe, Ellene. Administrative Problems of W. C. C. Claiborne, First Anglo-American Governor of Louisiana, thesis, August 1937; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc29878/m1/26/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .