Administrative Problems of W. C. C. Claiborne, First Anglo-American Governor of Louisiana Page: 37

                                
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Because of this peculiar situation instructions as to the
solution of the problem was asked from the Department of State.
During the first month of his sojourn in New Orleans he received
an address from this part of the militia to which he replied
that '. . .   under the protection of the United States, their
liberty, property, and religion were safe, and that confidence
in the justice and liberality of the American Government would
increase as they became acquainted with its principles and the
wisdom and virtue whith which it was administered."47  They
were told that there would not be a general re-organization of
the militia until particular instructions had been received from
the President; until that time they would remain in the same
situation in which the former Governor had placed them.
In February of 1804 oame the long waited for advice from
the Secretary of War, Hemry Dearborn, concerning this battalion.
Under the existing circumstances, he decided it would be expedi-
ent either to continue or renew the organization, and gradually
to diminish the corps. It was also thought advisable to present
them with a standard or flag as a token of confidence placed in
them by the Government.48  Claiborne appointed two majors to the
battalion, and deemed it wise to make these from reliable of-
ficers of the white division. The battalion was desirous of be-
ing  ommanded by people of their own color, and some dissatis-
7Claborne to Madison, January 17, 1804, Official Letter
Boks, Vol. I, p. 339.
48Dearborn to Clalborne, February 20, 1804, Official Let-
ter Boo, Vol. II. pp. 54-65.