On December 20, 1803, William C.C. Claiborne, Governor of the Mississippi Territory and one of the commissioners appointed to take possession of Louisiana from France, participated in the ceremonial exchange of the territory to the United States. Gov. Claiborne wrote to Secretary of State James Madison to announce the official transfer and notify Sec. Madison that a U.S. flag was raised over the city. Letter to James Madison, Secretary of State, Announcing the Surrender of Louisiana to the United States by France, 12/20/1803, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives (ARC 306704)
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On December 20, 1803, William C.C. Claiborne, Governor of the Mississippi Territory and one of the commissioners appointed to take possession of Louisiana from France, participated in the ceremonial exchange of the territory to the United States. Gov. Claiborne wrote to Secretary of State James Madison to announce the official transfer and notify Sec. Madison that a U.S. flag was raised over the city.

Letter to James Madison, Secretary of State, Announcing the Surrender of Louisiana to the United States by France, 12/20/1803, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives (ARC 306704)

This week marks the bicentennial celebration of the statehood of Louisiana. Among the historical records of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate at the Center for Legislative Archives are many documents that illustrate the important role Congress plays in the creation of states. For Louisiana the road to statehood was relatively short; it became a state less than 10 years after being acquired from the French Government under provisions of the Louisiana Purchase. Visit our featured documents page for selection of congressional records that document Louisiana’s journey to become the 18th state in the Union.  

Proclamation of Governor William Claiborne, 12/20/1803, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives 

President Jefferson’s nomination of William Claiborne, 11/30/1804, Records of the U.S. Senate

The Constitution of the State of Louisiana, 1/22/1812, Records of the U.S. Senate

HR 88, 3/20/1812, Records of the U.S. Senate