Louisiana and Aaron Burr 321 



he prepared faithfully to carry out his instructions, 

 and to turn the country over to the Americans. The 

 change in the French attitude greatly increased the 

 friction with the Spaniards. The Spanish home 

 government was furious with indignation at Na- 

 poleon for having violated his word, and only the 

 weakness of Spain prevented war between it and 

 France. The Spanish party in New Orleans mut- 

 tered its discontent so loud that Laussat grew 

 alarmed. He feared some outbreak on the part of 

 the Spanish sympathizers, and, to prevent such a 

 mischance, he not only embodied the comparatively 

 small portion of the Creole militia whom he could 

 trust, but also a number of American volunteers, 

 concerning whose fidelity in such a crisis as that 

 he anticipated there could be no question. It was 

 not until December first, 1803, that he took final 

 'possession of the provinces. Twenty days after- 

 ward he turned it over to the American authorities. 

 Wilkinson, now commander of the American 

 army, the most disgraceful head it has ever had 

 was intrusted with the governorship of all of Upper 

 Louisiana. Claiborne was made governor of Lower 

 Louisiana, officially styled the Territory of Orleans. 

 He was an honest man, loyal to the Union, but had 

 no special qualifications for getting on well with the 

 Creoles. He could not speak French, and he regard- 

 ed the people whom he governed with a kindly con- 

 tempt which they bitterly resented. The Americans, 

 pushing and masterful, were inclined to look down 

 on their neighbors, and to treat them overbearingly ; 



