HomeMy Public PortalAbout2022 1213 French Cession DayCITY OF RIWE,RD /4 LE
F OCLAM (1\' TION
WHEREAS, the City of Riverdale has over the years been under many jurisdictions which are being highlighted this
year as part of a series of proclamations.
WHEREAS, on 20 December 1803, at the Cabildo in New Orleans, the Louisiana Territory of France was officially
transferred to the United States. The United States officially took possession on the 30th
'iRERE.AS, President Jefferson appointed William C. C. Claiborne, governor of Mississippi Territory and US Army
General, James Wilkinson to formally receive the territory from France, with Claiborne welcoming the new
American citizens as follows, "Under the auspices of the American Government, you may confidently rely upon the
security of your liberty, your property, and the religion of your choice." He issued this document —written in
English, French, and Spanish — affirming the promise of rights to all Louisianas citizens under the US Constitution.
WHEREAS, Pierre -Clement de Laussat, France's territorial prefect, proclaimed to the people of Louisiana, "France
has ceded Louisiana to the United States of America. You, Louisianans, will thus become a living monument to that
friendship between the two Republics, which cannot but increase from day to day and which must strengthen so
powerfully their common peace...Louisianans, you are raised at once from the status of colonials to that of
metropolitan citizens with a constitution and a free government."
THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor of the City of Riverdale, Iowa, do hereby proclaim
that December 20th as
FR CH CESSION ID
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In Riverdale, and encourage all staff, residents, and visitors to learn more about the history of the founding of our
region and those who first help establish our community.
Anthony Heddlesten, Mayor
City of Riverdale, Iowa
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/lou isiana-territory-officio Ilv-
transferred.htm#:—aext=0n%20Tuesdav°'o2C%20Decem ber%20211%2C%201803,take%20possession%2010%20days%201ater.
https://www.monticello.org/thomas-Jefferson/louisiana4ewis-clark/the-Louisiana-purchase/
https://lewis-clark.org/dav-by-dav/30-nov-1803/