American Historical Ephemera & Photography

3pp, 5 3/4 x 8 in. (losses at both top corners, adhesive along folds in multiple locations, moderate soil). With typed translation. Addressed to the Alcalde Forstal (possibly Alcalde Nicholas Forstall), originally written in French, translated into English and typed 9 May 1896 by W.H. Hinrichsen. 

Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet, 5th Baron of Carondelet, was a Spanish administrator who served as the Governor of the Spanish colony of Louisiana from 1791-1797. Nicolas Forstall was from a prominent New Orleans family, and was chose Alcalde for multiple succeeding terms up until and when the French took possession of the colony in 1803. The letter offers a warning from the Baron to examine all who cross the recipient's path, as some may be political enemies or spies. The translation reads in part: "I recommend sir that you examine well all strangers who come to your post because they might be emissaries of the Jacobins, who in October from New York will endeavor to introduce themselves into our ports for the ruin of New France, they Preach liberty to the Slaves if any come arrest them...."